By: Emmanuel Olofin

Emmanuel Olofin — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 16:22:04 +0000

I am not surprised that the writer knows so much about what is wrong with Nigeria’s politics and Nigerians’ perception of elections since he has been there with the powers that be. What surprises me is his hitting the nail on the head; his clear exposé on the rot we call politics in Nigeria; the unfortunate emergence of political praise singers that always produce political prostitutes who dumps their parties for no valid or ideological reason but for mere “self-preservation” and, currently, because of the fear of PMB. Of course, poverty has thrown the voting public into the perilous trap of the politicians and only a few people can rise above the rot. Voters usually weigh what Party A offers on the election day against what Party B offers to decide where there ballots go. The only exception in recent years was the much berated Ekiti election of 2018 where the voters went for the lower bidder. Incidentally, the losers knew this even if they chose to sing a different tune. The question is: when do we get out of this political trap? A few of us muted the idea of adopting a “no-party” system which we thought would remove the damaging hate campaigns, silence the praise-singers and terminate the pull-him-down syndrome, or the traditional community all-inclusive type of governance. But to many we were seen as backward and unprogressive. Unfortunately, the progressive multiparty system has kept us marching backward, producing politicians that see elections as wars and victory as a legitimate ticket for looting as soldiers would the spoils of war!

Comments on: Nigerian Politician’s Faith In Democracy Is Dishonest – Reuben Abati

By: Emmanuel Olofin