Vote Right : Your Right

A lot of people do not know the importance of election, neither do they know that it is constitutionally Right for every eligible Nigerian to participate in elections around their constituency. Some decided to get their PVC's probably because Banks require it to open accounts, some have it because they see people queue to get it and decided to join in, others have the PVC because they feel it could be used or required to get a job or better their lifes.
According to the Nigerian law, every person from age 18 has a Right to vote and be voted for. I wasn't overly excited when I heard about the passage into law the "Not too young to run" bill. Although I give kudos to the conveners for this accomplishment in the electoral reform in Nigeria. They have done a good job by reminding the Government of the constitutional Right of every eligible Nigerian to vote and be voted for.
If you openly pass a law granting eligible Nigerians freedom to vote and be voted for, then why do you have to restrict them from contesting political office? The Government were simply reminded of the people's Right. I however was surprised at the manner at which the present Government after passing the Bill celebrated and intend using it as a campaign selling point in other to win the hearts of some youths who might not have been aware it's their Right not to be restricted from contesting; obviously this bill is long over due.
The 2019 general election is virtually upon us. In less than four months it would be in full glare. A lot of activities in various political parties and groups, a lot of dramas and show of power during the various party primaries has shown how desperate the typical Nigerian politician can be just to gain power and relevance.
Recently I heard someone say something reasonable and really thoughtful, permit me to paraphrase it this way; "As a politician vying for a political office, you are supposed to be the servant of the people, why then must you the servant kill the people you intend to serve, just for you to get the opportunity to serve them?" Think about this deeply, why do our politicians kill the people they intend to lead?
What else do they seek political offices for? If not to enrich themselves and their families, gain and wield power at will, get popular and influential in the society, ride the best bulletproof cars available, fly first class in and out the country, send their children abroad to study, travel abroad at will in the name of medical check ups, holiday in any city of choice and then return to collect sitting allowance, travel allowance, vehicle allowance, clothing allowance, health allowance, education allowance etc. One day a politician will rise from the dead and demand death allowance. Greed is killing this Nation, corruption didn't start suddenly, it has undergone processes. Poverty isn't just not having the financial capability to meet essential needs and necessities alone. You could be rich and wealthy yet you are in poverty, poor in attitude, poor in integrity, poor in loyalty, poor in discipline. If this is you, then there's a 99.9% chance you will be corrupt. I wouldn't want to dwell on this corruption issue as that would be a discuss for another day.
My main aim of writing this is to let every eligible Nigerian know that he/she has a Right to vote right! "Vote right; it is your Right".
Sincere appreciation to the #YALINETWORK and the conveners of #YouthDecide2019. This are visionary leaders, youths who have seen the need to get like minded youths involved in the forthcoming elections. Not just being involved, but also get people educated on the need to utilize our constitutional Rights to vote the right candidates at all political office.
We the Nigerian Youths have been deceived and deprived for so long, we are called "leaders of tomorrow" yet our so called "fathers of yesterday are the grandfathers of today, yet fight each other to be leaders of tomorrow " where then are the Youths? We just sit and watch, relegated down the pecking order to hustle hard, either by crook or goodwill just to be reckoned with in the society.
In a working economy, at age 16, a youth already has his/her life planned out. Awaiting available supports for implementation. This youth already has a structured plan for his/her future and then pursue after it. In this developed Nations, a politician vying for any political office has to critically think of something unique and different project to undertake. A politician in the United States of America or United Kingdom for instance cannot come out and tell the people he wants to construct roads, provide water, make available power supply, build schools and hispitals, or say he wants to reduce PMS price or fight corruption. They already have all these basic amenities in place, it would be absurd to use that as a campaign promise for election. Unfortunately, these so called 'promises' are what our Nigerian politicians use every time in campaigns. Sadly, they always fail woefully never ever fulfill such promises. It is the constitutional Right of the people to have access to clean water, good means of transportation, adequate power supply, good and standard health facilities, good education etc. Why do we have to beg for our constitutional Rights as a people? Why should our politicians promise us what he should already have without much ado? Why do they even celebrate a project as little as providing pipe borne water? They should be ashamed of themselves.
When I read comments on facebook, twitter or instagram of youths supporting and listing the so called achievements of the political party they are affiliated with, I marvel at the level of illiteracy been exhibited. You are busy abusing a fellow citizen because you feel your political party has done or completed a particular project which ordinarily should have been done and by constitutional Rights you should have access to. Oh what a pity!
Our politicians promise us good transportation system, yet they ride powerful cars with escort, fly in choopers or first class cabin. They promise us safety, yet they surround themselves with securities after instigating rancor. They promise us good health, yet they travel abroad to get theirs. They promise us good education, yet their children study abroad. They promise us electricity, yet they purchase generating sets and budget heavily for same. They promise to fight corruption, yet they steal public funds and siphon same. They promise us freedom, yet they make laws to silence us. Who is deceiving who?
Fellow Nigerian Youth, this is a clarion call to know your constitutional Right. Read and expand your horizon, study the constitution and understand your Right. We have been prevented from exercising our Rights for so long. They think we are fools, uneducated and uncivilized, because we probably attended public schools all our lifes, they think they can buy us over or shut us down with intimidation? They will be shocked soon enough, we are wiser now.
Arise oh Nigerian Youth, you have a Right to vote and to vote the right candidate. Do not sell your vote, do not be intimidated, do not be submerged in the political shambles around you, do not feel inferior, do not be afraid to air your view and utilize your constitutional Right to vote in the right candidates and vote out the wrong ones.
Nigerian Youths, it is time to decide the future of Nigeria, it is time to take the bull by the horn and lead it on to Glory. It is time to pull down the powers that be and pull up the power for all, it is time to stand up for your Right and get it right, it is time to meander the political turbulence of Nigeria, it is time to be focused and jointly achieve a common goal, it is time to vote and be voted for.
The Nigerian Youths will decide 2019. Youths obey the clarion call, let us lift our Nation high...
My name is Nnamdi Kelechi, I am a Nigerian Youth.

#YALINETWORK
#YouthDecide2019
#NotTooYoungToRun.