The topic might appear a little controversial especially at this time of the year where only God knows the fate of our nation. Afterall, no soothsayer or prophet in the whole of the country could come out about a month ago to tell the public that the general elections slated for February was going to be postponed by 6 weeks.

The objective of this write up isn’t to argue if the postponement is anomalous or healthy for our democracy or if it was actually postponed to favour some candidates as speculated by majority of the citizenry.

However, I would always insist that one can’t be absolutely sure about some national issues. This particular one is analogous to a football match which is postponed say due to harsh weather condition or for reason not stated, should we now conclude that it was actually postponed to favour the homeside or the visiting side?

Ergo, Nigerians shouldn’t find it extremely easy to jump into conclusion about critical issues especially when concrete evidence seem not to available to the public. Hence, the objective of this write up. At this junction I think it is imperative for me to clear any lingering doubt in your mind. I am not a politician, I don’t work for any political party or candidate but still I am not apolitical.

However, when pathetic issues that could have enormous effects on political ramifications arise, we should rise up and make positive reactions against it.

Today, if you select ten electorates or let me say eligible voters at random for interrogation about why they actually want to vote for the candidate of their choice. The responses you’ll gett can make one cringe, responses that are stupefying, responses that are irritating to the ear and disgusting to the mind, or how else would one describe responses like “because we are from the same ethnic group or because we are of the same religion or because the other candidate is from a tribe I don’t like”.

It might take you several minutes before you realize there is an endless monologue going on in your mind after hearing these responses. The irony of it all is that you might find it difficult to berate people of such opinion due to the respect you have for them or the relationship that exist between you,or would you find it easy to tell your neighbour or relative that his response to such question is erroneous?

Now, this write up would be immaterial if I don’t suggest a way forward. I wouldn’t suggest that the groups that organise debates for presidential and gubernatorial candidates should do same for electorates and start asking why they are voting for their choice candidates.

That would only remain imaginary and unrealistic. However, with a proper approach and a stupendous effort, we should get a monumental achievement. This could be done by enlightening our indispensable electorates that their choices should be based on the candidate’s previous performances if he’s seeking a return to power and for “new comers”, thorough enquiries should be made about him.

It is even not too much if we go to the extent of making findings about where he had worked in the past from people that know him as any decision we make would either make or mar the future of our nation.

It is high time we stopped electing people on this our “I know him I know her” theory. We should elect people based on merit. This would enormously impact our electoral process in a positive way and it would go a long way to fertilize our embryonic democracy.