GENERAL ELECTIONS AND THE CROWD MENTALITY OF
CITIZEN
Poem titled:
THE CONDITION OF THE NATION.
Deprivation amidst plenty,
How clement the climate, how resourceful the land,
So blessed a nation, yet many are deprived,
Fingers we point, who do we bestow the blame,
Fist we clench, who we pummel for judgment,
Pleas and appeals rendered, who we pardon,
Arguments put forward, which do we concede to,
Our leaders, the Government, the masses, the cream de la cream,
Or Nigeria as a republic nation herself?
It’s of no longer news again, that
indeed the ratio at which politics has eaten deep and has almost ensnare every
sector of the country, from political body down to the education sector……even
as now seen in the church too, is really alarming. And the bitter truth still
remains the order of the day as buttressed by the short poem above.
Really this whole national issue is
fast rising to what can be termed as “crowd mentality” of different citizens
from different states, societies and regions of the country. With the currently
ongoing campaigns, it shouldn’t be a surprise for one to see branded prints,
billboard and video adverts of these our political icons and the party they
represent in almost every nook and cranny of locations, especially in the
urban, suburbs and of course the high brow areas.
In fact the crowd mentality of
citizens around the country has extended to the level whereby citizens who are
on the streets have developed added slangs arising from the slogan of the two
most powerful parties in the country. A.P.C and P.D.P respectively, a major
visit to the streets of Lagos, checking into different clubs, restaurants and
match view centers confirmed these during recent weekends by PAEDIA EXPRESS
MULTIMEDIA.
The crowd mentality of citizens as
towards the ongoing political exercise and campaigns has now become e fast
rising trend exhibited by lovers or fans of football who regularly watch
live foreign league fixtures. So, you see particular fans of certain
football clubs at the point of substitution of players during live broadcast
shout the slogan: APC, change!! And when a star player is about to come in or
the opposite club team, the other fans will shout out: PDP, power!!
Taking a look at this current Hype
in the society will no doubt make one see the positivity of Nigerian citizens
towards the ongoing elections. As this shows a certain level of their interests
in the exercise, even our celebrities in the entertainment industry are not
left out, as several million naira endorsement is been powered and sponsored by
our so called leaders and politicians, while the very vital issues are still
been ignored and not taken care of.
Even sources have confirmed the
postponement of initial date of general elections which was February 14th
to the 28th of March, thereby making all Nigerian citizens who
value and cherish the valentine season catch their almost lost excitement
back since the change has been made, especially the youth populace. But the
frank questions:
Is Nigeria really experiencing
change?
Have the wicked people changed their
ways?
Will Boko haram sect change?
Will the economy of the nation and
the different economic sector change? To mention but a few questions. It’s just
a pity that the social media has also made matters worse by encouraging all
sort of controversial contents and different misconceptions of view by users.
It’s just what I will want to term as “suffering and yet smiling syndrome”
making lots of Nigerian citizens deceive themselves.
Well, here’s a few nuggets to all
and sundry:
Are we sure of where this country is
headed?
Are we making sense out of the
ongoing campaigns and elections?
Are the posts and activities going
on in the different social media making sense at all?
Is Nigeria herself as a motherland
and heart beat of Africa making sense?
This is a food for thought to every
patriotic Nigerian out there, no matter where you and I may be at the moment.
It’s a matter that concerns every one of us all………….
ADEDAMOLA. OWONIFARI
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