The happenings on the political scene in the wake of the February elections bring to mind a tale that has been constantly re-told over the years.

There was once a powerful seer in a certain village. He had so much wisdom and powers that he could see into the past and even the future. News of his exploits soon spread to neighbouring villages and people came to him from far and near for solutions to their problems.

His exploits soon became a source of worry to other seers who had been in the trade long before him. They conspired to put him to test using the nza (a very tiny bird). The plan was to march to his house the following morning with the nza enclosed in someone’s palm. They would then ask him to tell them if the nza was dead or alive. If he said it was alive, the one holding the nza would simply squeeze life out of the bird; if he said it was dead, the seer holding the nza would let the bird fly to disprove him and show that he was not as powerful as claimed.

When the test was put to the powerful seer, he paused for a while, cast a slow glance at the group and said, “the life and death of the nza is in your hands, not mine”.

On radio, television, online social media, at roadside newspaper stands, in offices, homes, and public buses, I hear and read the endless rants and banters over the coming elections. Underlying these are deep-seated frustrations, pains, and yearnings of the people for a better Nigeria. Unfortunately, these emotionally charged conversations remain what they are- mere talk.

Until we become politically conscious enough to be bothered about those representing our wards, councils, constituencies, senatorial districts at the Federal, State and Local levels, we will continue to have the kind of Nigeria we are presently in. On a visit to my local government secretariat recently, I was alarmed at the many permanent voter cards (PVCs) lying at the INEC office in the local government secretariat. They are yet to be collected. These uncollected cards belong to the same people ranting day in day out. You will be amazed at the plethora of excuses they put up for not having picked up their cards. Is it not time we shunned political aparthy?

The quality of leaders we have will inform the quality of life we enjoy. Be wary of political jobbers who come with the same well-rehearsed phrases “good roads, good healthcare, economic development, security of lives and property, free education at all levels...” without clear roadmaps for achieving them. Chief Obafemi Awolowo wrote the book “Path to Nigerian Freedom” in 1947 even before he held any political office.

Check the profile of those seeking your votes. What are their ideologies? What developmental roles have they played in their respective communities before their political ambition? Beware of “cosmetic politicians”. Those who have lived all their lives abroad and in major Nigerian cities and are completely disconnected from the realities in the hinterlands. They spend the best part of their tenure figuring out what the needs of the people are while enriching themselves. They grope in the dark embarking on white elephant projects and awarding contracts that have no bearing on the people's lives. Before we know it another election year has come and the cycle continues.

Ask questions. Purge yourself of ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments. Elect your leaders but while at it do not elect yourself into helplessness.

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Over half of the people who rant here don't have their PVC.

eightsin:
Over half of the people who rant here don't have their PVC.

We don't have PVCs yet we want change. Isn't that absurd?