By Ozo Atita Anuria
Figures have been banding on several media platforms where a tabulation of registered voters par Geo political zones.It is no news again that the southeast has been on the back seat if the report is anything to go by.
It is indeed worrisome that a geopolitical zone like the southeast could be relegated to that level.The situation has left so many persons perplexed and on different conflicting conspiracy theories.If what we know about Nigeria and her politics, one maybe tempted to disagree with the figure.It seems impossible that the third largest enthic nation in the country could be ascribed to that number which has been overtaken by some local government population elsewhere.
There has been the obvious advocacy that people should go and register if not to boast the number,atleast as their civil responsibility. I have read from different columnist and commentators where the blame is more on the people on their inability to register.some other persons tag it as political ignorance.But this is where I disagree with them.
I want to bet with anything and with anyone that those Geo political zone with those greater numbers are not more politically aware than the Southeast .The only difference is with the leadership and their politicians .They seem to have more enlightened, dedicated and smart politicians than the Southeast. The country is facing untold economic hardship which has kept everyone busy and most times,on how to even feed and Carter for the family. Most of the touted social responsibilities have been relegated to the background as a result of the hunt for a daily bread.
It becomes the responsibility of the politicians who understood the importance of number to mobilize for this exercise. It may not be empirical but any discerning mind don’t need a bet to know that other zones have done better in the registration exercise as a result of this.It is disturbing that our own politicians have gone to sleep on this crucial and invariable Census.
Overtime, we have heard our sons who are jostling to be the president of Nigeria,I begin to wonder how they intend to achieve it when they don’t pay attention to rudiments and basic nuances and as important as number.i doubt where they intend to get these votes from.They say Charity begins at home,atleast you would substantially rely on the local votes before grabbing from other zones or do we have those who want to relax in their sitting rooms and INEC would announce them as winners.What a joke.
Where are those disturbing us daily on charter of equity.So their understanding of politics is all about zoning.Where are those campaigning to take over from their governors,so they can’t even mobilize their primary constituencies for this registration exercise or they also want to be on their dinning table and become the Governors.Where are our Governors,what have they done to change this embarrassing situation.They should go and ask their colleagues in other zones on how it is done.
Let me tell you for free that the number will not change until these calibre of persons wake to their responsibilities.They are the ones with the resources, contact,Influence and structure to get the masses registered and not even these days when 200naira transportation fare may deny someone from going to the registration centre.So they need to act now and I am pretty sure they know better
I would have kept quiet because they would at the end,become the major beneficiaries,but I am constrained by the attendant bragging right.
In summary, the whole thing has exposed the level of politicians and leaders we have in the southeast. We have more of them that chase the president and his office all day for their selfish interests.It is obvious that nobody is thinking about the zone and her political welfare.It also seem that we have presidential aspirants who do not understand the dynamics of election and power. No matter how popular you think you are,if you don’t play by the rules,you can never win an election.
Enough said.
