Review & Outlook: Nigeria Elections 2023 – Molue In The Air-Naija Lives Should Matter

 

BY LANRE FADAHUNSI

IN the interest of the nation, nay, in the interest of the new Nigeria we must decide to get things right this time.  

Our people over time have left to chance the positive growth and development of the Nation. We have been despondent and resigned to fate that ‘if you can’t beat them you join them.’ How unfortunate!

Would it not give reason to worry if the agency saddled with the unbiased function of superintending the forthcoming election is itself saying that elections may be cancelled or postponed. The reason need not be farfetched. Insecurity. We may be wondering what is so strange about that as if we don’t know. However, it is very strange if the CIC, Commander-in-Chief is chest beating that the administration has decimated Boko Haram. That it delivered on promises made to Nigerians. With bated breath and trepidation, I begin to question myself. Though, there are more questions than answers. 

While some for obvious political patronage castigate INEC for such statements, those who saw what had transpired in the past in terms of violence during election would understand where INEC was coming from. Not one to bring back horrid memories of our recent past. It quickly comes to mind the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s position that his ambition is not worth the shedding of the blood of a single Nigerian. INEC indeed should worry. Unabated spate of attacks on its facilities is real cause for worry. Dr Agboke, the wonderful Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner had said that nothing is pointing towards not holding election from its own side because security was not part of the functions of INEC. 

However, we need to ask a germane question, what is the average value of the live of a Nigerian? NAIJA lives matter and it should. Successive administration in the land has left little capital attached to a Nigerian life. Body bags during election is a sad accident in our historical essence. An American life is valued at between 1-10 million dollars. Hence, to take its citizen, one citizen from danger, America will deploy a troop, an aircraft or a prisoner swap to save one American life.  Here we are, Chibok, Dapchi and Leah Sharibu, Kaduna train attack and we are still counting. If insecurity persists, the Naija Lives should matter like an American life. The lives of INEC officials should matter enough to Mr. President, INEC Chairman and the nation. If insecurity persists, election should be postponed and not place the nation on autopilot. All those insisting that the fears of INEC is uncalled for should be patriotic enough by giving the matter a fair judgement. 

In the quest to pursue the goal of rewriting the story of Nigeria, people take risks from time to time. 

Fear and despair were intertwined when people going on a quick flight were asked “which flight are you joining on the trip? “To join others in correcting the flaws of the Nation, once the answer was given the response from the other end was blood cuddling. Haa! Why boarding Molue in the air?  One begins to wander. Is it the fault of the Airborne Molue owner who still wants to keep afloat or the fault of the regulators whose duty of care it is to ground Molue from flying?