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CHRIS-VINCENT Writes!

As Nigerians Go to the Poll: Electoral Cockroaches in Africa | Selling Your Conscience, Future & That of Others for Tubers of Yams And Bags of Rice…

Nigeria Elections 2015
Nigeria Elections 2015

Politics in Africa has a different meaning to what you would find in the West—and it shouldn’t be a problem that something has a different meaning to different people as long as the impact is closely related.

But surely, it’s worth re-evaluating meanings when something important as an election is nothing more than an opportunity to be taken for granted by a group of ‘smart’ politicians in Africa, made possible by a population of young and adult ‘cretins’.

In a working society, politicians ought to be accountable to the electorates but even in the West; politicians are often caught on a frolic of their own—perusing self interests instead of looking out for their people. The worst lives in Africa and as such, the only time the masses get to have a real say is during the periodic elections when these ‘demagogues’ we call leaders come begging—and often succeed in convincing us to vote for them once again to repeat the cycle of hardship.

There isn’t a problem in voting for a politician during an election but the problem lies in the means via which the politician manages to get you to vote for him or her—that is the true test of our understanding of politics and our desire to be taken serious by those we are voting for.

As the name may suggest, politics is about progressive polices embedded in governance but when it comes to most parts of Africa, politics is about buying conscience and votes as cheap as using tubers of yams and bags of rice.

It’s beyond pathetic, perhaps insane to exchange your ability to make a real change in your life, your children and that of others for tubers of yams and bags of rice, which you would consume in less than a month. And this exchange will give the one who presented you with the tubers of yams 4/5 long years to play ping-pong with your future while stashing millions of dollars in his personal bank accounts somewhere overseas.

Elections should be when policies are discussed, evaluated and the best amongst those presented are chosen for implementation by the most worthy candidates, for the general good of our societies but in a greedy chase between the wanting to be leaders and the masses, we trade what we consider as our pride (votes) for what they know we want—instant wellbeing or gratification.

The above photo from Nigeria (which no one has disputed yet) captures the essence of election to majority of Africans—a reflection of why Africa is where it is today. It doesn’t just showcase how ignorant our electorates are, it also portrays the commitment of our so called leaders to the rules of the game.

Of course African electorates are not interested in political debates, manifestos or progressive plans so why bother with these things? The few who may consider themselves literates and would demand this discourse will be overwhelmingly out voted by the illiterates and ignorant individuals who make up a large percentage of whatever African country is in discussion—so just cater for the needs of these people. And it’s pretty simple,  give them some ‘coins’ and tubers of yams and it’s enough for them to chant your name as the imminent saviour as well as vote for you.

I have heard many people argue that dictatorship is practically great for Africa—and with the above in mind, it surely seems like the plausible alternative because what is elections if all you need is a bag of rice to win? When it gets difficult, just reduce the prices of goods and fuel two days to the big day and you would be shocked as to how many people will forget the many years of struggle to vote for you for this kind gesture.[sociallocker]

All persons are human beings but in the spirit of collective responsibility, I sort of agree with those who also argue that certain people should not even be allowed to vote in Africa. That is extremely radical but the reason why some people are worried to the extent of advocating for some sort of ‘black apartheid’ in their own countries is the hardship the large percent of African illiterates continue to bring on them through who and how they decided to vote during elections.

To me, a free and fair election goes beyond rigging and electoral malpractices, if choice is influenced by tubers of yams and bags of rice—then it surely is not a free and fair election. No wonder you have to be a demagogue to become a leader in Africa. The majority can’t be dealt with in any other reasonable way—except to speak the language they understand; corruption and bull-shyting…

What is the difference between the leaders we call corrupt and those taking tubers of yams to vote whatever way they are asked to; and in the long run make it hell for all of us?

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