NIGERIA DECIDES: AND THE WINNER IS…

Buhari Vs Jonathan (Image Source)

There is no doubt that this is arguably the most contentious election that we have seen in our nation’s history. Some people are incensed by the way life has so far been for the average citizen and are clamouring for change, others still see hope with the present administration and believe it deserves another mandate; four more years at Aso Rock. We are certainly at a fork in our road and whatever choice we make today will remain with us forever.

On the one hand we can choose to go east and return the reigns to The Incumbent, what happens then? According to his campaigns, we expect Boko Haram to disappear, rice production to blossom, the hitherto comatose rail network to fully come back to life and his many other promises to come to pass. On the other we can choose to go west and give a chance to The Retired General, what happens then? Again, campaigns say we should expect an end to corruption, massive employment opportunities, of course an end to Boko Haram as well and myriad other promises to materialize.

Now, whether we choose East or West, the truth is that no one knows what will really happen, except for soothsayers and fortune-tellers of course. Let me be the first to confess, however, that there are pros and cons on both sides of the divide, you may not necessarily agree with the opposing pros but that does not make them completely false, I will touch on just one point for each side that I have gathered from the illustrious grape vine.

In favour of The Incumbent I hear, is the sentimentality of his background. An Ijaw man by birth, President Jonathan hails from the oil rich region which has ensured that Nigeria sees its bread and butter for so many years but the people have felt abandoned for even longer. They feel that they have been denied the benefits of the produce of their land, but now, by some divine twist of fate, their son has secured the number one seat in the nation. They see the insecurity in the North-East as a vindictive attack on his administration and even the dwindling Naira they blame on the global fall in oil price. They feel President Jonathan has not performed poorly and deserves to comeback not only because of his identity but also because he is working albeit slowly and unlike most previous leaders has not been accused (directly) of any acts of corruption or stealing (these days, we have been asked to differentiate). One thing I have learnt is that sentiments will never really make sense to you unless you have walked a mile in another’s shoes.

In favour of The Retired General I hear, is the indiscriminate corruption running amok in Nigeria. General Buhari (Rtd) is said to be an honest and a disciplined man, witnessed by his no nonsense days as a military Head of State. He is said to be one of the only former Heads of State not living in superfluous riches when everybody has the perception that one simply enters public office in Nigeria to line personal pockets, shikena! The average citizen will tell you that there is a wealth of resources in the country and that Nigeria has the potential to play ball with the likes of the US, China and Germany if only someone wielding a big stick would beat corruption out of the country. Some people believe they have seen their man in the person of General Buhari (Rtd). You must understand here that people are suffering, more than 60% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day and with the recent devaluation of our currency, that figure is sure to have risen. These people want to see things done differently, they believe 16 years is enough for the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to have impacted their lives if indeed they meant to.

Then again, the reality on ground is that for some, the present choice is one between the devil and the deep blue sea and they would rather dine with the devil with a long spoon than venture into the vast unknown that is the sea. They believe that the APC is just as good (bad) as their major competition. The question becomes who is your devil and who is your sea?

Party affiliations and personal biases aside, the question on everybody's mind is, "Who will win and what will happen after the results are announced?" The high level of uncertainty is perhaps the reason for the long queues in banks, the crowds at markets and the palpable tension in the air. The spates of violence that have occurred in states like Lagos and Rivers and the mudslinging by major parties are not helping to douse this tension.

At the end of the day, casting your vote is like taking a gamble but the difference is that the winning bet does not guarantee any reward, it could rather seal your fate.

So, my fellow Nigerians, whatever you decide, I wish you the best!

(Image Source)

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