LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Let’s Play This Game By The Rules

 

Permit me to use this opportunity to air my views on the political jamboree that have commenced as the 2018 Osun gubernatorial election draws closer.

In other climes, electioneering and politicking are done based on issues before, during and after the political party primaries. Aspirants tackle each other based on issues, what have been left undone, what should be done, commendations and criticisms where necessary.

The contrary seems to be the case in ours and yet, we claim to practice the same democracy.

Though, we cannot compare our own to democracy in advanced countries but nevertheless, our politicking and electioneering campaigns should be issue based rather than engaging in political and character assassinations and the outright snuffing out of life from intending candidates and their supporters.

Politicians go about arming their foot soldiers with weapons of different assortments and they go about town, scaring the opposition.

When certain aspirants loose out in their party primaries, the next step taken is to decamp in order to get the same ticket from another political party.

Our democracy is still nascent but our nationhood is not. A person who is 58 qualifies to have grown, used to it and mastered the process perfectly, hence, our politicians should learn from their friends in developed democracies and start to ask questions on how they achieved it in their countries.

No democracy is perfect, but at least, some of the flaws associated with it can be reduced and even done away with.

Ekiti and the case of Opeyemi Bamidele is a typical example. Why the violence?

It is my prayer that as we elect the next governor of this state in September, there shall be a smooth election and also, a smooth transition by God’s special grace.

• Henry Chukwuwike, Osogbo.