Like ventures where many shareholders jointly own and run a business, politicians especially in the underdeveloped countries like Nigeria connive with the high and mighty to remain in power for their selfish interest.
In Nigeria, politicians use poverty and ignorance as instruments of achieving; loyalty, support and even votes during elections from the masses. This is regardless of how they treated these masses while in power or before declaration of interest in political leadership. It’s said “The strong is never strong enough to maintain himself in power unless he utilises trusted and well-respected members of the of the lower class”.
In Nigeria whenever elections draw nearer, politicians recruit trusted members of the society to manipulate the people. Sadly, this time around the recruited personalities include journalists, religious leaders, traditional rulers and even the hungry educated class who teach in higher institutions of learning.
Mass quality education, which is the core instrument to achieve a progressive femocratic leadership, as it gives citizens insight as regards who to vote for or not and also empower citizens to say no to anti-people policies of government, is neglected.
Politicians drag journalists, who are known for upholding high professional ethics, into politics by appointing them as media aides, members of campaign committees or their social media forums’ handlers.
Religious leaders also, instead of guiding people on how to strengthen their relationship with the Almighty God, engage in advertising some politicians while criticising others in their public gatherings which is a betrayal of trust of the people.
The worse is, when these politicians get into power, they develop authoritarian and oppressive tactics to subjugate and antagonise all and sundry irrespective of whether one supported them during elections or not.
It’s, therefore, important to use the pedigree and track record of service as a barometer for determining who to vote for or not.
Azare, Bauchi state
