I’m neither a prophet, nor a soothsayer, but I dare to say
that 2019 Presidential election is almost predictable. Politics is undoubtedly fluid,
as political interests which drives political actions are transitory, especially
in Nigeria where political parties are, but mere vehicles to power, hence politicians
align and re-align for political ambition, which are more often than not,
self-serving. The rhetoric of self-less public
service, is a ruse, to deceive the gullible. Little wonder in politics what you
see or hear is not what you get.
In a sane society, an election is a formal group
decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold
public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern
representative democracy has operated since the 17th century. Unfortunately, election
time in Africa is war time. It’s not the usual carnival-like events, in
celebration of democracy, as is evident in other clime. In Africa, and in
Nigeria in particular, election is a do or die. And there are growing concerns
the 2019 electoral process will see new violence. Nigeria has never been so
divided, along, political party, religious and ethnic lines. And the present
government contributed in no small measure to the deepening of this deep
hatred, and hate comments. This is a fact, and consequently, politics has
become madness in Nigeria.
