For over 16 years, it had been a 'jaiye jaiye' lifestyle. We were splashing the cash on anything without 'securing the bag'. We imported virtually everything we consumed. Why not? We had the money! Oil was selling great! We spent and spent and spent like money was going out of fashion. We were warned of the impending doom if our unreasonable lifestyle wasn't stopped as soon as possible. We, obstinate in our flamboyance, ignored these warnings. It was so bad that some institutions were collecting their fees in foreign currencies! Bundles and envelopes of dollars were distributed across the country.

In 2015, a new administration came and made efforts to resuscitate the badly bruised economy and psyche of Nigerians. Tragedy struck! The price of crude dropped from over $100 per barrel daily(as at 2011) to between $70-$50 per barrel daily(2018). What this meant was that Nigeria didn't earn as much money as before and there was need to cut down on needless spending. Bans were placed on the importation of certain items, TSA policy was implemented amongst other policies. However, these measures couldn't stop the wave of recession that swept the country. The suffering and hardship doubled and tripled. The purchasing power of the Naira weakened. People complained and groaned. It was indeed very difficult to be living in Nigeria.

Fast forward to 2019, the groans have become louder. Hate is the new oxygen that people breathe in. The masses are screaming, "Take us back to Egypt!", "We want corruption back!!", "At least the money was going round!" Some other have said, "Mr President, you've fought corruption, let someone else fight poverty.". These and many other rhetorics have become the cantatas of our contemporary political opera. These cacophonies are reminiscent of a story in the Bible where the Israelites asked Moses to return them to Egypt because the journey to the Promised Land wasn't what they expected. They accused Moses of luring them out of Egypt so that they would all die (of hunger and thirst) in the desert. Moses soldiered on. At some point, he disobeyed God and was disqualified from entering the Promised Land.

As we go to the polls this weekend, we must understand that delayed gratification (however painful) is what is necessary at this point. A return to 'Egypt' (instant gratification) may appear rosy but the long term effects wouldn't augur well for the growth and development of our dear nation. We must choose between sweet talk (and perhaps, wisecracks) and genuine efforts. We must remember that politics appeals to sentiments and sentiments may be expedient but the costs outweigh the benefits.

Some say that good things come to those who wait. It is therefore a choice we have to make - to painstakingly address our present problems while preparing for our future and the future of our offsprings or to ignorantly feed our lust for instant gratification. The choice is ours to make. On the day of the elections, Nigeria must come first because we are Nigerians. We have collectively brought our dear nation to her knees and we must join hands together to hoist her up like the Israelites held Moses' hands up so they could conquer their enemies.