Nigerian Election and It's Bitterness

2011 election is around the corner with it's hot and cold air coming from all corners. Election comes with so much bitterness and hatred. At this time, personal interest is the ultimate thing. How much can I gain or make from this venture is the question on the lips of our politicians and their supporters popularly known as "oti nkpu" or "praise singers".

Two brothers from the same parents but belong to different parties will be at each other's throat, can you imagine? I just heard on the news fews days ago the statement from MEND and it's affiliated forces about Raymond Dokpesi (Daar Group founder and outgoing chairman). It has to do with his appointment as the DG of Ibrahim Babangida Campaign Organisation and declared him "persona non grata" as long as South South States are concerned. They equally advised and warned the people of Niger Delta to desist from having anything to do with him and his business interests in the Niger Delta like AIT, Raypower, etc. They particularly warned that nobody from Niger Delta should place adverts or partake in any program run by any of the two media houses for the reason that their owner does not have the interest of Niger Delta at heart.

We all know that this kind of thing will definitely come up and I am sure the Raymond Dokpesi himself is aware of the impending catastrophe he is likely to face in his campaign for IBB. MEND and it's affiliations on their own are in a bid to protect their interest, which they feel that it is a divine providence for them now to produce the president of this great country (or may be nation).

The situation in Nigeria is not only about MEND and Dokpesi. It happens in every family, village, LGA, state and all nooks and crany of this country. Everyone supports a person he or she thinks will be more beneficial to him or her irrespective of who or what the person is. Whether the person will deliver or not is not the issue. The main thing is what I can get from the person's regime.

For the reason of personal interest, Nigerian politics has moved from what politics and election should be and it is now a politics and election of cash but I think it is time we rise up to this challenge and say "NO MORE" to money politics in this country.

I am happy that some youth groups are springing up here and there in a bid to tackle this menace that has eaten deep in our polity. I only pray that they will have the courage to fight this war to a logical conclusion. They need the supports and prayers of well meaning Nigerians in this fight because it is not a day's fight. It has to continue untill we are sure that we have won.

Let us serve our fatherland with love and strength and faith.