OPINION: Imagine!

 

BY KANMI ADEMILUYI

THAT the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally “flagged-off” the start of formal campaigns for elections is an anomaly, this is another indication of the inability of the democracy we practice to transit from the shackles of the military mindset, and in the process deepen itself and become a real democracy. Years after The Economist of London described Nigeria as a “semi-democracy”, we are still stuck in all motion and no movement. 

Political parties should within the law, dictate the terms and conditions of engagement. Here the ubiquitous INEC in the mode of a school master determines the tempo of engagement and of activity. 

With the whistle blown what has subsequently happened is an anti-climax. Same humdrum stuff centered on tales of the expected. The diversionary sideshows of intra-party have accentuated and no detailed manifestoes are on offer for the perusal and hopefully the endorsement of the potential voters.

The lack of serious engagement is calculated to send the voter to sleep. Anyone befuddled about low turnout of voters already has the answer to his question.

Not rocket science at all! As a former president of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt once observed, “Nothing happens by accident in politics, anything that happens in politics was planned to be”. It is not by happenstance that nothing of consequence is going. Within the current, we are in the others are in essence ‘extras’ in someone ekse’s movie. It was planned that way with the weaponisation of poverty and the formalising of an eternal season of the inducement of indifference and a sense of haplessness. The ‘japa’ exodus of mass migration is in itself a response to the predicament of helplessness. 

The season brings forth memories of the beautiful, haunting lyrics of The Beatle Jihn Lennon in the song Imagine. Lennon in lyrics which defined an era of political activism imagined a much better, more equitable order and a compassionate world. 

Here Lennon echoed the thoughts of the philosopher Aeschelus centuries before. Aeschylus had stated that “ some men think of things that have happened and ask themselves why? For myself, I think of all those things that never were and then I ask myself why not?”.

An important question to ask. Why is Nigeria stuck in a stillness? This is clearly what the ruling elite so fervently desires and will fight to maintain. They cannot for instance imagine let us say 38% of the registered voters who intend to vote earning roughly three times the minimum wage after the deduction of contributory pensions and health insurance contributions. Furthermore a large proportion should be on monthly rent – to – home ownership schemes as obtained in the first republic and demonstrated by Shehu Shagari and Lateef Jakande in the second republic. This will solidify the sustainability of a democracy.

That it is designed not to happen is why the ‘japa’ exodus will intensify and the cycle of despondency and underachievement will continue. It’s a crying shame 

Imagine if it was the other way round.