Isah Aliyu Chiroma
For a moment, it appeared as though our democracy was changing. As we stood in silence waiting for the gubernatorial election next week, fellow compatriots. we must remain steadfast in order to complete the task we began. An unending business of change that constantly advances into new stages. Fellow compatriots, it has been a remarkable journey, our intention is not to sprinkle salt over anyone’s wounds. We took charge of our future to relieve a certain pressure on our heads. It was bothersome to us; it became a task for us if we really mean to do so.
In silence, we came out in masses, trying to understand each under and what brought us together. Because it is better to cope with the known than with the unknown. Our vision brought us together, some of us kept our differences and go for a bigger picture of change. A lot of people over this period have been, and some still are, interested in changing the narratives. What we share in common is the desire to have a new dawn.
At times of fundamental social change, such as the moments in which we live, we can easily be deceived by the unfolding of events. The extension of the gubernatorial election has given some of the candidates another opportunity to reach out to the masses. On the other hand, INEC has taken a bold step to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation system (BVAS), so as to have a smoother-running election, with the results being transmitted early. For some, the extension comes with some missed feelings, but on the contrary, that is the way forward, because every move and step taken is being monitored. It is the duty of INEC to provide a platform for a credible election that will be counted
The just concluded presidential election has shown the readiness of the commission to fulfill its mandates in discharging its duties. Then, if INEC has taken those steps to ensure free and fair elections in their own capacity, then we as citizens must tighten our belts and come out in masse, just as we have shown in the presidential election. States with the highest number of collected PVCs will be interested to watch the racing and see the atmosphere get heated.
The emerging political leaders have taken a mandate to change the atmosphere, it is now our duty to choose who will represent us. As compatriots of good leadership, we do what we can from our own side to contribute to the making of a new Nigeria.
As we move to our polls next Saturday, let’s have it at the back of our mind, the curse we took, to cast our votes and fulfil our rights as citizens must be counted. If we can take the steps at the presidential and National Assembly election to vote our choices, we can also do it again at the Governorship and state Assembly election to complete our task. A new Nigeria, a new dawn is what we crave, a better future for us and the generations to come.
As Eldridge cleaver said, “The sins of the fathers are visited upon the heads of the children – but only if the children continue in the evil deeds of the fathers.” We can change the narratives and create a new dawn, yes we can!
