This noise of 'go and get your voter's card' is really getting on my nerves now.�

Voter's card to do what?

After getting a voter's card, so many things can still happen. A person can still vote rightly, wrongly, innocently or intentionally.

Who are those committed to the sensitisation campaign that'll ensure that people cast their votes rightly.

A voter's card in the hands of the ignorant is like a gun in the hands of a child.

Mark my words, 90% of the current members of the National Assembly will be re-elected? Do you know why? Because not many people are aware or agree that they are the main problem of the nation. Many ignorantly believe the president is the only problem and once you replace him--problem solved.

The assembly's 3 main functions of representation, lawmaking, and oversight makes them the most influential out of the 3 arms of government. Despite the perceived executive dominance, the assembly have a central role in governance via their legislative powers to make structural changes.

They are not referred to as representatives just for the sake of it-- they actually represent the diversity of individuals and groups in society and bring these differences into the policy-making arena so that every citizen, irrespective of their gender, religion, political affiliations, geographical locations, are adequately represented and influenced.

These people are supposed to be the
arm of government at the national level closest to people. Is this the case? Lol...you can't even get on the same lift with some of them.

If they are actually listening to those they are representing and making decisions and exercising influence on their behalf, the country as a whole shouldn't be this under-developed. Their constituency services, helping citizens cut through government bureaucracies in accessing government funds for local developmental projects, would bring the change everyone is clamouring for with relative ease.

And essentially, their re-election should be based on their performance. So i ask again, is this the case?

So with your voter's card, instead of good roads, they'll give you a double-size matress and you'll cast your vote for them. Instead of a well-equipped clinic, they'll give you a 20kg bag of rice and 5 litres of oil and you'll cast your vote for them. Instead of making laws that'll bring peaceful co-existence among the various tribes within the community, they'll come and dash the community leaders and jobless youths few thousands of naira and they'll be endorsed for re-election.

After 1 year you'll start to curse the president, forgetting that you have sold your rights to your REPRESENTATIVES.

The president represents the entire nation. The National assembly consists of individuals who should represent every citizen in the country.

What is the worth of a voter's card in the face of ignorance, greed and hunger?

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For those who wants the youths to take over--

Where are the youths?
Have they been identified, verified, tested and can be trusted?

It's not about the age, it's about the commitment to serve. Dino is a youth. Dimeji Bankole was a youth. Ibori was not aged. Lucky Igbinedon etc.

That somebody speaks 'common sense' does not mean they can 'act' the common sense when put in the position. It's not just all about Ben brucing.

Nigeria is very complex. It's not a terrain for the naive. It's not the same as managing a blue chip company. Those young and bright individuals you are suggesting might get lost in the politricking. Madam Owegele-Okonjo Iweala is still fresh in our memory. What of Ojuyobo Deziani?

What we need is someone with a mixture of intelligence, ruggedness, integrity, and strong statemanship.

Do we have any of such youth who has proven him/herself politically from the grassroot level and is ready for the top job?
Let's not kid ourselves, governing a nation is not a responsibility that can be saddled on an individual under 18 months to the election. It's a long term grooming process.
The nation keeps failing at all levels--local, state and federal because our kinds of leadership are accidental.

Now to even talk about the humongous finance needed to participate in the kind of politics being practiced in Nigeria-- how many youths have that kind of money? The ground is not even level to play. So we are likely looking at another godfather-son scenario, and you know whoever pays the piper dictates the tune. Not forgetting the perennial problems of the kingmakers aka Cabals.

Now, what youths do we have left? The restless, codeine-consuming elements.

I ask again, what is the worth of a voter's card in the face of ignorance, greed and hunger?

AV