2023 And The Politics Of Chicanery By Bright Okuta

The news all over the media, and in the tongues of an average Nigerian right now is politics and the uncertainty of 2023.

Permutations are underway. Political schemers from the camps of all parties are working extra hours. Politicians now flood the timeline with condolences and birthday wishes of even the commonest Nigerian. They use the finest words for condolence, but with glib intentions. They use the best odes for birthdays, but with phoney preconceptions. They do this towards election year only. They are tricksters. They are fireflies.

2023 will be a significant year in Nigeria’s nascent democracy. It will mar or strengthen the foundation of a flickering nation. But does Nigeria even operate democracy? Maybe it operates gerontocracy or kakistocracy. Whichever it is, I can see the possibility of ochlocracy, following the recent blaring chorus and screechy voice of the people. But how efficacious can this be?

Interesting number of the youthful populace are forming a force behind a particular candidate. But how will this work? What are the odds of this force becoming a government? Would the power-wielding elites, big pocket aristocrats and oligarchs, and by extension, determiners of ‘who rules’ allow that to happen?

Would the election be fair enough for the votes in ballot boxes to determine the next president?
And, who is the much-expected messiah?

There is a need to make a comparative table and access the candidates. There is no messiah. I personally do not expect anyone to turn Nigeria into an El Dorado overnight. And it will take more than four—or even eight— years to deodorize the pong of effluvium in this country.

The electoral choice is yours. And think, that when you make this electoral choice when the negative or positive effect descends, it affects everyone. They spread everywhere; to the hut of those who voted for them and those who did not. Like rainfall, they touch everyone’s roof.

Observing the contingency, those in government are humans before they become government officials. Whilst it is possible that the established system can devour the morals of a person, only those who are confident of the obstinacy of their mind, integrity, moral compass, and character to withstand the forces the positions come with should seek political office. With this understanding in mind, I believe the candidates will be ready for what awaits them and the electorates will make a clean judgment when approaching the ballot.

The flood disaster is bedeviling some parts of the country. Over 612 deaths recorded and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed, and farmlands and businesses ruined.

Politicians are visiting. They are donating humongous amounts to the flood victims.

These are ploys to win your support and canvas for votes. After they win, they turn back at you.

From the lofty perch, they read your agony in pages of newspapers, glasses below their nostrils, as they sip hot tea and kilishi with a satisfying belch. They do nothing afterwards.

They do not visit your slum again. They do not commiserate with you. Neither do they remember their promises. They use cotton wool and thick fabrics to clog their ears. Mission accomplished—mission to beguile you into voting for them.

The crisp naira notes you get in exchange for votes will only last a few days. But the torture will go on for four years. The incessant rapes and dragging by the balls will last four years.
And by the time another election year comes, there will be no balls.

2023 is heavily pregnant, but I hope with a golden child.

Twitter: @brightokuta

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