FEW days to the much anticipated February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country, Nigerians are anxiously waiting to exercise their franchise ahead of the Saturday’s poll.
Since the commencement of Nigeria’s nascent democracy in 1999, the 2019 general elections will be the most keenly contested one due to the high political awareness, especially with personalities involved in the presidential race.
Virtually all political parties in the country facing different challenges which include financial, leadership tussle, inter party crisis and among others, while some cases are before the court over issues of candidacy.
The 2019 general elections which coincided with 20 years of Nigeria civil rule is a test on the part of the electorates, political stakeholders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as Security agencies on their readiness to strengthen the nation’s internal democracy.
The decision taken by all election stakeholders Including, Inec officials, security operatives, political leaders, candidates and voters will surely determines the fate of the country in another four years.
Although, Nigerians are found of saying it is just 4 years, but the fact is that it is indeed, a long journey if there is no drastic decision and deep thinking on who to vote for as well as why I want to vote for such person.
No doubt, the 2019 Presidential Election in Nigeria is between the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The electorate, who is the king and determinant factor of any free and fair elections now has destiny on their haned as far as Saturday’s elections is concerned.
Although, the presidential election will be held simultaneously with the National Assembly elections which is the second arm of government.
What this indicates is that if wrong people were elected into the legislative chambers of the country, under the influence of inducement or vote buying, no meaningful development can be recorded in Nigeria for another four years because legislators are the strong bone of any administration.
It is imperative for all election stakeholders to note that the task of safeguarding the country’s nascent democracy can not be left in the hands of INEC alone, hence the need to contribute meaningfully towards ensuring good governance and the nation’s internal democracy.
As INEC and security agencies had guaranteed the safety of Corp members who will serve as Presiding Officers (PO) in various polling units across the country, they must be remembered that any atrocity committed during the exercise may affect their future negatively.
The Apex electoral body in Nigeria must also be vigilant especially in the respect of recent fire disaster that affected both sensitive and non sensitive materials in some INEC state headquarters and the postponement of the election.
What will be the best Valentine’s gift for the country is for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s election and Nigerians will actually decide who will be the number one citizen of the most populous country in Africa.
Saturday, February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections is knocking, please think twice before taking any decision.
By Olamiposi Ishola
Mega Icon Magazine Political Desk
