Election Boycott: A Choice We Can't Make

Photo Credit: Pius Utomi Ekpei

ELECTION BOYCOTT: A CHOICE WE CANT MAKE.

By Onyike, Ifeanyi Ebenezer

Don't get it wrong, voting is a right, not voting is also a fundamental human right. So, it is a matter of choice. For some who are capable of deciding for themselves, choices are made based on circumstances and careful reasoning. For others who can't make up their minds, they are helped to make their choices. But one thing is common here, whatever choice made or we're helped to make is what we will live with. An example is the biblical Eve & Adam. Eve had a conviction and Adam was influenced by her. Both of them still live with the consequences of that choice till date.

Let's not be deceived, no nation is bad, at least, not one that I know of. But, we do have corrupt, incompetent, divisive, barbaric and anihilistic regimes or governments. That's why the Bible says that, 'when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice'. And the reverse is usually the case when a Nebuchadnezzar, a pharaoh, or a Jezebel is in power- the people perish. The beauty of democracy is that, it leaves the masses with choices and this choice can only be expressed through voting. So, periodically, governments go through self and public examination to appraise it's popularity. And, unpopular regimes have collapsed with this ideal.

Unlike the developed world, Nigeria's Democracy continues to register massive voter apathy and this is because of low voter education and in protestation of the massive fraud and violence that trail elections in the country. 

Similarly, interest groups at times call for election boycott when they know that the process is already rigged or marred by other  irreconcilable issues. We have witnessed this in the 2nd and 3rd Republic where political parties declared their intention not to participate in an election. Presently, it's the case of IPOB which has been clamouring for the boycott of the 2019 general election in the southeast to horn home their demand for a sovereign state of Biafra. True to threat, this has taken over the internet and is gathering momentum in southeast. Somehow, if permutations based on past IPOB threats is anything to go by, then, the election in this region will definitely witness a very low turnout of voters. But, where does that leave us?

Have we really sat back to ask ourselves why IPOB wants this boycott? It's because of the years of marginalization and inadequate government presence in the southeast. Since the civil war, the Igbo has been treated as second class citizens in Nigeria and allowed to play second fiddle in the nation's body politick despite their level of industry and contributions to the nations GDP. They have also been target of every slight political, religious and ethnic crisis in Nigeria. Successive governments have failed to address this, giving rise to clamour for the balkanization of the country.

Be that as it may, this agitation has been on for over a decade but never has it received front-page attention of the of the global audience as it currently is. This is because the Buhari government has consistently shown its lack of interest in matters affecting the region. The 5% and 97% statement by no other person than the President didn't also help matters. The herdsmen and the fear of Islamization of Nigeria are issues this government has paid very passive attention to despite the palpable fears it injects on the people.

Despite this, there is a choice to make in this election. It is a choice between making Nigeria to work again and going to the next level. The next level of what? I believe this yet to be answered question may have been what scares IPOB away from the polls. But like aforementioned, we only have uncaring regimes and not an uncaring nation. So, if getting Nigeria to work again is the next level, why not? A strong indivisible nation of happy people is better for us all but, where this can't be achieved, agitation such as in the immediate, will always suffice. 

So, if we don't vote IPOB would have made a powerful statement which will have a long run positive impact on their demand. But, after looking at the Operation Python Dance and the marauding Fulani herdsmen terrorists, one is forced to think that an election boycott will not do the southeast much good presently. So the issue is simple, voting in the 2019 general election will lead to freedom, a boycott of the election will also lead to freedom. Choose your freedom wisely. Bail the water at ankle deep.