UNITY IN DIVERSITY

In a country blessed with diverse cultures, traditions, norms, languages, and religious beliefs; is there hope for a shared destiny? Diversity in our country has been conformed and expressed through only a medium known as “government”. A country as Nigeria where democracy is being theoretically practiced has left the electorate with the illusion of their rights as the democratic powers of the state ought to reside with them. The sense of truth and humanity of Nigerians have been perverted, thus making their political lens blurry.



The main contexts of this analysis are; 

•  Can Nigerians perception towards politics transform?

•  Can there be a better orientation of the functional rights of electorates?

• Assured immunity on electorate right, importantly, will Nigerians again pursue a substantial co-existence, shared vision, collaboration and cooperation instead of outright confusion and disorganization solely based on feeling of superiority?


         From a careful perspective, I opine that we the electorates are the origin of our problems and therefore the brutal consequences of their actions are rooted longer than imagined. We the electorates are the major focus in these confronting issues. We are the creator of the raging problems because we give room for our rights to be bought by desperate ‘Representa-Thieves’ preaching patriotism, prosperity, employment, better standard of living before elections but act in reverse once they assume office. We tend to abruptly forget our future while seeking a short time meager benefit. However, critically looking at the idea of buying votes; most electorate would collect cash or gift items, better still in the words of the “Poli-Thieves”, the concept, “STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE” for their votes in return, not because they are self-willing but because of reasons ranging from poverty, insecurity, personal greed, illiteracy and tribalism to mention a few.

There are questions and thoughts in the mind of the electorates such as “if I refuse will they hurt me?....... "I have to vote for him because he’s an Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa man”....... "what will be my gain if I give him my vote?”.  All these lingers in the minds of the electorates and could make them accept whatever offer is presented to them.

Lets accept the degrading state of our nation’s democracy on the unprotected rights of the citizens but to a large extent I believe the secret ballot is still in operation; therefore, on the redemption of our beloved country, can you let your conscience be the guiding principle to decide who you cast your vote for?

At this point, since their votes have been bought, the conscience of the electorate also has been corrupted. The bitter part is that, these same set of persons come out few years later to castigate the “representa-theives” they sold their futures to. We are fixated on the past rather than concentrating on the present and projecting the future; we live in a mirage of democracy, in the words of Fela,
 “ Democrazy
DEMO-CRAZY
Crazy-Demo
Demonstration of Craze”  
YES, IT IS A DICTATORSHIP SYSTEM, which is perfectly disguised.

We have put "our Nigeria" in a very bad state, but after the April 2015 elections, we voted for change, the change mantra does not belong to the APC or Buhari. We actually voted for change because we all knew deep down that it was time for a change. The point we really need to focus on is the fact that we made a choice together in spite of our diversity and that choice is our POWER. We are the ones to make Nigeria better.  The necessary correction needed for democracy to take root in Nigeria can only be made by the electorate themselves.

Few things ought to be held into consideration before gallantly casting your future unto a representative; considerations which should be beyond family ties and monetary benefit but rather on past records, ability and efficiency of the supposed representative(s). It is time we see our leaders as job-seekers, consider their résumés carefully and not just cast our votes based on popularity else we risk electing the same execu-thieves under a different guise. We should also see them, as a ‘vision’ to a mission yet accomplished not just a ceremonial leader who is just there to enrich their pocket.

The ongoing faction issue of the PDP is even enough to enlighten the electorates that "these people are going for this post for selfish reasons". If it were to be on a common goal, it should have been resolved by now. Added to this is the non-consensus among the APC aspirants in Ondo State. We fail to know that proper and evenly circulated resources are the solution to the impoverished state of the country. I challenge Nigerians that we can handle more plausible decisions with unprecedented consequences better than all leaders can make on our behalf.


The “change starts with me” campaign of the present administration starts from our mindset, ideology, believes and a turn out in practice and attitude towards our countrymen to make a better country. Even with the override of a well-oriented ideology, the issue of co-existence will always pose an issue in the stability of the government. It is time we look beyond our tribe and language differences to elect who represents our interest; that is the best way to secure the future of the next generation. We are bigger than our differences and together we can make it work only if we stand united as a ‘tongue’. Moreover, there are no discernable reasons for hatred among different tribes as the rate of inter-tribal marriages among Nigerians is tremendously increasing. Franklin D. Roosevelt said,
“The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger, the world will either move forward towards unity and widely shared prosperity- or it will move apart”.
But I say our tribes and languages as many as they are make our VOICE even louder.

Our inconsistent representa-thieves have incessantly played with the mind of the electorates with still-born, white elephant promises. This case has been paramount in Nigeria’s administrations since inception and with what is happening presently might get worse if not attended to urgently. A case study of such awkward event played during Babangida’s rule, when he asked Nigerians to debate the advantages and disadvantages of the IMF loan whereas his decision had been made. As at the time of the debate he already accepted the loan.

I do not wish to admit but the present administration might have equally played our minds with the ‘change’ instead of the ‘transformation’ the country really requires. Obviously, the country is suffering from a clear and plain vision syndrome of which the electorates can serve as the only prevention or perhaps the cure. We, however, often forget that the rule of this democracy we are operating includes transparency in governance but it has been elusive in ours.

Are we truly in a democratic society?

Political analysts have argued that zoning has been a political issue in selecting the president. Hahahaha….how much has the North gained from the likes of Gowon, Murtala, Shagari, Buhari(military), Babangida, Sonekan, Abacha, Abdusalam, Yaradua(short-lived) and even the present administration’s presidency? If there had been any positive development in the North in terms of education, co-existence, job creation, infrastructural development; the zoning system could have been embraced. Charity begins at home, they say; our representatives complain of how spoilt the system has become and I ask, "where is the trust the electorates invested in you to redeem the decayed system?" Their anus is being placed abroad developing developed countries leaving our own dear country stagnant without further development. We forget that stagnancy on the long run leads to degradation.

As earlier said, it is time we looked beyond ethnicity, language and tribe and we secure our future. As a people, if we continue to defend or elected leaders on the grounds of tribe, emotions or ethnicity, I will plainly say, we are no step out of the misery that has engulfed us. A good leader will always be a good leader irrespective of where he/she comes from. We have to stop giving room for the leaders to exploit our weaknesses for survival.


Nigerians, we need to move past our differences, stand together, show love towards each other in truth and actions and be patriotic to our country. We should be truthful when answering the clarion call for service to our nation. To rebuild our Nigeria and redeem our self esteem and a better national psyche and not expose our conscience to be biased. Our Vote is our Power and our Choice.

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria
Happy 56th Independence Anniversary





Article by:
Yusuf Adefisayo

fissygurl@yahoo.com
TWITTER: @crusatel_shang
FACEBOOK: fb.com/Fissygurl