24/02/2023
Nigerians Decide 2023: What Is Expected From Voters And Politicians?
In a matter of some hours ahead, the elections for the President and National Assembly will take place on February 25, 2023. Interestingly, all the contesting candidates in alignment with their political parties, campaign organizations and loyal supporters have so far pushed their campaigns since INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) opened the window for campaigns in September 2022. However, having listened to the campaign messages and promises they have been presenting in their speeches at public events, interviews and what they have in their manifestos, one may become confused on deciding who is the best. This is for the simple reason that all of them seem to be giving hopes and promises that they will deliver quality results if elected. Without doubt, politicians are known to be “vote conscious” during the election period. One could to some extent say that every promise they are making now is for their own interest of getting the support and votes of the people and they may fail to fulfill their promises when they get into power. Reasonably enough, recollecting and dwelling on some of their past attitudes of not showing commitment and concern for the people that voted them into power which some of the politicians have displayed over some years, it is ideal that pertinent questions in two-fold should be asked. The relevant questions are: 1.What should be expected from the voters that these politicians have pushed their campaign messages to and have also come to meet in the course of seeking to get their support? 2. What should be expected from the contesting politicians?
In answer to the above questions, in my own opinion, taken singly, firstly on the part of the voters (electorates), i think they should be enlightened and made to take very wise and intelligent decisions to be able to stand their grounds to vote for the right candidates without being emotional, biased and prejudiced. They should be sensible to analyze and evaluate the credibility and capacities of the candidates and their political parties. Electorates should assess the past performances and track records of these politicians and political. The characters of the politicians should be determined either from their past office duties or other business involvements. Voters should base their decisions concerning who to vote for on the grounds of who is more qualified and determined to work and should not just take decision on the basis of who gave them money, gifts and food items and should also not allow the politics and deceits of tribe and/or religion to come into play. If a politician who is completely not qualified and who if elected may not be determined to work is trying to buy his/her way into winning the election by giving the voters money, gifts and food items which definitely will not sustain the receivers anywhere long in the times ahead, then the voters should have the understanding that they will be the ones to regret their actions of voting for the wrong person and it will already be late to change when the politician gets into power. Considering the things that have happened in the country and in the states and which are still happening, which some of the law makers and politicians who are now seeking the votes of the electorates have not addressed or tackled the right ways, voters should be optimistic and objective enough to shine their eyes and make sure that whoever they are going to cast their votes for on the election day must be someone they believe will not fail to work positively for great results and developments. Secondly, on the part of the politicians and their political parties, they are expected to honestly review or check themselves and their intentions for running for the office positions to know if they really have good plans for the people. They should purge themselves from selfish interest and ulterior motives of self-aggrandizement and should also restrain themselves from greed, desperation to win and violence. They are expected to make sure that their reasons to be in service are primarily for the interest and benefits of the people. Their politics should be about the people and not about themselves. It should be expected of them to think now, think hard and think ahead of how they plan to deliver quality services back to the people. The critical issues of concerns like poor economy, insecurity, poor healthcare, bad education system, high costs of things, high transportation costs and other perplexing problems should be among what they have plans to fix and solve to ensuring better living conditions for the people. They should remember that election is just a contest and not a war, and should therefore be ready to avoid going dirty in desperation to win by all means. In conclusion, i admonish and encourage the Nigerians that have their PVCs (Permanent Voters Cards) to please avail themselves the opportunity to go out tomorrow to their assigned polling units and wisely vote for the preferred candidate. You still have hours left to rethink, re-examine and objectively decide who is the best candidate to give your vote. Refuse to be brainwashed, coerced, intimidated or bribed into voting for the wrong candidate who you know within your conscience does not deserve your vote.
Authored by: Igwe Chimeziri Edward
