Go Out And Vote Nigeria!!!!

The stage is set once more  – after vigorous campaigns across the country and the initial February 16th date postponed by a week, the battlefield is set once again. The battle for the right to occupy the highest office in the land – the President of Africa’s most populous and largest economy – my fatherland Nigeria!  And thankfully this time around, it appears that the umpire is ready.

“Nothing Can Stop February 23 Elections"  roars the electoral umpire,  chaired by Professor Mahmood Yakubu

INEC Chairman - Prof Yakubu


The build-up to the elections was as eventful as it was dramatic.  Some of the highlights include :

• Accusations and counter-accusations amongst politicians.
• Heated arguments amongst the citizenry.
• Mass defections across party lines. 
• Private sector organized debates including vice-Presidential and Presidential debates.
• Stepping down of some parties' presidential candidates,
• Drama at campaign venues; including campaign platforms falling down, presentation of the party flags to the wrong flag bearers.
• Accidents; including the vice president’s chopper which crash-landed. Mercifully he survived the crash unscathed.

With the plethora of drama episodes, I'm pretty sure Nollywood would be spoilt for choice in creating one or two blockbuster movies especially when the plot thickened and the election was postponed few hours to its commencements  Very few foresaw the postponement as it drew the ire of the populace including the politicians.

Dramas over and the D-day is upon us. Who will emerge as Nigeria's next President?

The result of a recent opinion poll suggests that the battle is between incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).  The opinion poll also suggests the odds are heavily in favour of Muhammadu Buhari, the incumbent President.

Result of the Opinion Poll
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In terms of geographic location, the South East and South-South geopolitical zones are pro Atiku, whilst Buhari holds sway in the South West and North  West. The North East where both politics gladiators hail from should be a battleground. Same North Central. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently revealed that the South Western state of Lagos, as well as the North-Western state of Kano, have the largest number of registered voters. Therefore if residents of Lagos and Kano come out en-masse for the elections, it could significantly affect the overall results.

Credits The WillNigeria

However, if voters' apathy exists and we Nigerians exhibit our "sidon look" nonchalant attitude, then we have lost our rights to complain about governance and should accept whoever is foisted on us. Let us remember that evil thrives when good men keep quiet. But we will not keep quiet!

I am by this post calling on my countrymen and women to come out en-masse and vote for the candidates of their choice.  Apart from Buhari of the APC and Atiku of the PDP, there is Fela Durotoye of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Kingsley Moghalu of the Young People's Party (YPP), Omoyele Sowore of Africa Action Congress (AAC), Pastor Chris Okotie of Fresh Democratic Party (FDP) amongst others.

Enough of the "sidon look" attitude or the social media arm-chair critic attitude! Your vote is your voice. Make your voice heard. Speak out loud and clear who you believe will take our beloved Nigeria to her pride of place in the comity of nations. History beckons! Would we heed its call?

Finally, as much as the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic is very important, simultaneous elections for the seats of the National Assembly.

If the President is the 'head' of the nation, then lawmakers who are members of the National Assembly are the 'neck' of the nation. The two go together and must be in agreement. If we elect a worthy President but leave the seats of the National Assembly to thugs and hooligans who know nothing about the art of legislating, then they will be a clog in the wheel of progress of whoever becomes President.


Vote Wisely my people!

God bless Nigeria!!!

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