The popular belief in Nigeria is that in politics, there is no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interest. This belief is what has come to play in our political field of games; hence the porting from one political party to the other as long as the will of the personalities involved are greased not minding the interest of the country or that of the electorate (populace). If that is the case, the electorate should also protect their interest for equity to be achieved.
Anywhere in the world where polilitics is not guided or played (if it is a game), according to ideological appeal, politics will become of only that of the player’s interest and not of the society or electorate concern. The recent cross-carpeting of politicians across the nation, most specifically in the National Assembly is no longer worrisome but because it has become a trend and I believe that the study of political science would have included it in its curriculum and the need for further research.
What is worrisome and unacceptable is the attempt to deprive the electorate the privilege of selling their vote to highest bidder. Vote buying is a direct offshoot of political system failure, lack of ideology, non-performance of politicians in office, bad motive of political office seekers, political desperados, (that is on the part of the political elites), but to the sellers of vote the electorate; hunger, poverty and lack of education are the reasons for the sale of their vote, their only power.
The war of highest bidder that pervades the political scene in the last Ekiti Election where it was alleged that kiosks were opened for vote buying easily comes to mind. Vote buying has been growing since the advent of the 4th republic, but it used to be in the secret.
I was a speaking guest at a recent Youth and Leadership Summit and a question regarding vote buying was thrown at me. And to the dismay of the audience, I positioned and am still positing that vote buying has come to stay and should not be discouraged but seen as a part of the retrogressive politic that is being practice in Nigeria. I think since the players have refused to abide by the rules, it becomes an injustice for the other team to be confined within the rules; let the game continue. I did say: as long as the beneficiary of my vote is not thinking about my well-being as a Nigerian – vote buying becomes necessary. As long as we are in poverty, vote buying will continue to prevail. As long as we refuse to adequately educate our populace, vote buying will continue. As long as the economic power becomes a derivative of politics, vote buying will not stop.
I encourage every electorate to negotiate their vote, don’t sell it for piece of meal; sell your vote for an amount that will take you for another four years or electoral period. Sell your vote for an amount that will satisfy your conscience and an amount that will meet your short term and long term needs. In vote buying, let the law of demand and supply come to play: “The higher the candidate’s values; the lower the price and the lower the candidate’s value; the higher the price.”
My vote is available for sales; the price is inestimable.
Comrade David Kayode Ehindero
A Nigerian Author, Executive Director and Lead Strategist of NIWOSEC
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