In the months and days leading to the 2015 presidential election, and by March 28/29, Nigerians had seen and heard enough of campaign gimmicks and promises that spanned through the campaign period. As electorates over the nation left their homes for the polling booth to cast their votes for their choice candidate, only hope and optimism united all in spite of their choices. One thing with election is that voters are only disunited at the polls by choice, but at same time, united by purpose.
This is to say that electorates want to vote for “the best” candidate who fits into their vision and who has better plans for their nation. And on this ground, public offices aspirants always want to put in great shifts during campaigns to ensure that they sufficiently convince the electorates that they are the perfect person for the job. This necessitates all form of antics and manoeuvring. The large-life ones take to modesty since it will get the people on their sides; the ones who have never been to the market will be seen buying and eating roasted corn just to play “the people” so as to win the votes of the people when realistically there exists a great gulf between them and the people.
“Give me your votes and I will provide you with an improved living standard.” Yet after elections, these politicians return to being politicians and the people return to their always-hopeful state with a feeling of being let-down again. However, if we take a diagnostic look at this very evil of breach of the people’strust, more of the problem lies with the people.
The very maxim that “democracy is a device that ensures people will be governed no better than they deserve,” holds true. Politicians are aware that they are guaranteed a free/easy ride if they can get to act “the people,” because quite often, the people tend to lose all sense of critical reasoning when politicians appeal to their sentiments. Only few really care to put politicians under the microscope of integrity and capability. Only few are ready to take politicians through the rigour of thorough scrutiny.
Nigerians are somehow lackadaisical about sacrificing their stomach, ethnicity, religion, belief for the good leader. We are hardly cautious about the choice we make at the polls even though it means a minimum of four years of good/bad governance. When it matters most, that is when the people often fail to think and demand for answers.
Nigerians do not exercise enough caution about the person they vote at the polls. Personalities decide who wins and who loses an election, and politicians are fully aware of this and would do what it takes to appear electable. They become manipulative and ride on citizens’ emotion; fraud the people with deceitful promises and amplify the peoples struggle making it look like the very solution lies in their bosom.
During 2015 elections, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and General Muhammadu campaigned on transformation and change mantra, respectively. And as it turned out, the hearts of majority of voters were won over by the sweet promises and “image” of the APC presidential candidate.
The “modest” lifestyle of the APC Presidential candidate was something too good to be true. “For someone who was once Governor of the North-Eastern state; Federal commissioner for Petroleum and National Resources; Head of state; Chairman of PTF, to be seen drinking sachet Milo and leaving in a small apartment, he must have lots of integrity.” He was packaged and presented to the masses as a messiah they have always wished for. Although spotless and perfect, Christ the Messiah just like us was born of a woman.
And now, this one just like lots of Nigerians also drinks sachet Milo. The emotions and prejudices of Nigerians were played on that at a time lots of voters desisted from rational thinking. It was shocking to see that a Nation with 59.57% literacy rate as at 2015 (according to world data atlas) lost their ability to ask “How will you” to every promise of “I will.” Even though we were at a very critical time where we couldn’t afford a disastrous choice, the antecedents and ability of our choice least mattered. Nigerians were not just deterred.
Modest lifestyle is not an indication that someone would make a good leader or be manageable with the nations resources. The sooner we do away with this mentality, the better for us. In saner climes where critical thinking sells; the politics of demagoguery and modesty will only fall flat. Unfortunately in this part of the world, demagoguery and modesty have become a useful election campaign marketing strategy and it is important we are awake to this truth.
Just the other day, some Nigerians got excited over a presidential hopeful who was seen boarding a train to Abuja. This is a testament to the fact that Nigerians are now predictable that politicians know what to show/tell us that will tickle our fancy. I don’t think the people would have a problem with the leader who lives fat; but they would, only when such a leader lives fat at their expense. As 2019 elections draw near, citizens shouldn’t be played; they should understand that nothing trumps competence (not even a modest lifestyle) and also learn from the mistakes of years past.
Let politicians desist from exploiting the people; learn to rightly sell themselves with their achievements and campaign on logical grounds.
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