2023 came with a truckload of anxiety with regards to the political hem of affairs in the nation. An average Emeka was Obidient. Kayode was Batified, and Habeeb was Atikulated. In the history of Nigeria, the 2023 presidential election is the first to possess a clear and concise question of tribe. Questions of bigotry, nepotism and tribalism kept flying in the air. The three major tribes in the nation had candidates vying for the post of the commander-in-chief of the federation. Who will be the next president? This question kept lingering. Hope was alive. There was an evident thirst for change.
For once, the youths came out in their numbers. Susan woke up on the 25th of February, 2023, and the first thing she reached out to was her Permanent Voter's Card (PVC). She couldn't afford to take any chances. This was an opportunity for her to influence a change in Nigeria. She lost her brother, Samuel during the End Sars protest in October 2020. This was just another election to everyone else. But to her, this was closure. She dashed in and out of the bathroom within a twinkling of an eye. Off she went to her polling unit muttering amidst pain and anger: "Samuel, this is closure". She didn't mind waiting for another three hours for the INEC officials' arrival, and for the start of voters' accreditation. She didn't mind missing breakfast. Closure. That was all she longed for.
Fate? There was a twist of events. Electorates were seen running helter skelter. "I came out to exercise my franchise but I think I need to secure my life first." The picture of a peaceful voting exercise suddenly became blurry. It became a mixture of tears and blood. Threats were issued to innocent electorates. "Cast your vote for our party or go back home." One would ask if this was the democracy. What a 'corn-try'!
Unlike Peter, the cock didn't have to crow three times for the Messiah to be betrayed. While men slept, yay, even while the cock was deep in slumber, the throne was taken. A new era is here. Whether wanted or unwanted, by the mandate of about 8 million voters (eligible or ineligible), a leader has emerged. He who knows the power and influence of cash in the affairs of human beings. He who had taken time to map out a plan. He who strategically took the structural route. Drag. Grab. Snatch. A coalition of the shenanigans of politics. The lion. The conqueror. Asiwaju's emergence.
Lord of the rigs? Ole ni everybody. Eni'le mo ba ni barawu. All are thieves. The caught gets the criminal badge. We all saw clips of illegality from (at least) the three major contesting parties. But why? Have the people truly lost their voice? Can elections never be free and fair in Nigeria? Is there light at the end of Nigeria's tunnel? Lmao. Light? NEPA neva ready to bring am.
Dear Nigerian youth, Asiwaju don promise una four years for four years. ASUU, how far? "We can only hope". Hey, beyond the shambles of hypocrisy, time and chance that this nation has been thrown into, decide to raise yourself up. There's hope for a tree that is cut down, for at the scent of water, it shall spring back to life again. Hope that this administration will favour you and yours.
Live, don't die.
- Aanuoluwatomiwa Oke
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