Election Is Not War, Avoid Violence And Stay Alive.

 Written by Hadiza Babakatcha 

Election is not war, avoid violence and stay alive. This is a call to my generation; the youth, the hope of every well meaning nation, the change agents, the beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow and a better assured generations to come. 

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Do you remember been told that you were the leader of tomorrow, since our kindergarten days? Yes, I know leadership transverse across all sphere of life. So, it will be right to say that you are a leader in your own capacity and level. 

I recall an incident when i was about twelve years old. I'm from an extended family, with many siblings. Our grandmother mostly comes around, she enjoys spending time with her grandkids. The area where our house is located is mostly quiet, although not a government reserved area. I think, it was because that area, was a new layout as at then, no many buildings nor familiarities with neighbours. I remembered, whenever it's that time of the year, the election time or elections are approaching, our parents resist sending us out in the evenings and If we must go out, we go in numbers or with an elderly strong person. I do not know their reason but personally I got the impression that whenever elections are approaching, both seen and unseen evils are floating the air, the aura of the environment is for parents to protect their upsprings as mother hen protects and shields her chicks. It is that time of the year again, elections are approaching, be wise.

One time, I was privileged to listen to Emir of Gwandu during a visit to his Palace in Kebbi State, Northwestern part of Nigeria. The Emir of Gwandu, his royal highness, Major General Ilyasu Bashir while addressing his subjects noted that elections were approaching and urged the people of kebbi state, the northerners and the entire Nigerians to vote for the rightful candidates of their choice, who would bring about peace, unity and development. Our country, Nigeria, craves peace, good leadership and unity amongst others. It is in our hands to bring to power those who would decide the future of our country. Be wise and vote for the rightful candidates of your choice. 

Emir of Gwandu, maj. Gen. Ilyasu Bashir And Egbere 
Emere Okori and Oneh Eh Nchia X of Eleme kingdom. HRH. King Appolus Chu 

Do not exchange your future, your power and rights for nothing. It is only a fool who would sell his/her power of choice, your voting power makes all the difference. Say no to vote buying! Do not collect the peanut, the cups, or bags of rice, the wrappers, the palm oil or what ever the desperate politician use to buy votes, is not worth it. Vote for the rightful candidates, who would bring developments, ease sufferings and poverty, creates jobs for the ordinary citizens and secure lives and properties, with enabling environment for investments and businesses to flourish and for sanity to return to Nigeria. 

Albert Einstein. 

A great physicist and Nobel prize winner, Albert Einstein says, Insanity; is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We must stop election malpractices and violence of any kind, be it cajoling others or influencing their choices on whom to vote, buying or forcing your choice of candidate on others, snatching ballots and the likes must all stop, and our votes must count. If we want different result in Nigeria.  

Ideology of extended family runs in the vains of so many politicians in Nigeria. Yes, read that again. They go out in numbers to flex muscle, protect their circle and once they are in a position, they safeguard it and shield it like the mother hen shields her chicks, and prevent others from getting the same opportunity they were given unless you are from their circle of the extended political family. 

Even those that votes them to power struggle to benefit or las las benefits nothing from them. Benefits in this context is not personal, but they do little to nothing, execute no project at all for the duration of 4 or 8 years, they feel comfortable, without iota of remorse to owe civil servants their monthly pay. They milk and suckled lives out of their offices, constituencies or state with their greed and lack of purpose and vision for the people. 

 Most politicians in Nigeria, operates on the basics of identity politics, because they already know the weaknesses of Nigerians which are mostly our ethnicity and religion. Do not fall victim of identity politics, I believe you are familiar with words like; don't vote for him/her because his not a Muslim, or because his not a Christian or maybe because he is not from the north, south, west, east or south south and so on. 

There are so many dangers of Identity politics, he is my brother, she is my sister, we are from the same village or region, let me vote for him...Nigerians, wake up. Where has this ideology taken us? What benefits have we derived from this, as a country? So much selfishness, self-centeredness and greed is pulling us back and sinking our country. We have no where else to go. Wake up Nigerians!! This call is especially for my generation; the youth.

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It is that time of the year, elections are approaching, be wise. Vote for the rightful candidate who would set our record straight as a nation, bring peace and unity to the people. 

The leaders we will vote must be accountable. Accountability according to Wikipedia is the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for actions, products, decisions and policies including the administration, governance, and implementation within the scope of the role or employment position and encompassing the obligation to report, explain and be answerable for resulting consequences. An American career and leadership coach, Jenny Garret noted that accountability is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. Our political leaders at all level must be accountable to the people. 

Election is not war, avoid violence and stay alive. Do not be an instrument for destruction, some bad-desperate politicians would do anything and everything to get power or retain and hold on to it. Your future is bright and promising, do not be use by desperate politicians. Avoid violence and stay alive.

The Bible 

The bible encouragingly says, "No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise" Isaiah 60:18

The Quran 

The Quran teaches that Allah wants muslims to control their aggression and approach others with peace.

"Do not let your hatred of people incite you to aggression" Quran 5:3 

Election is not war, avoid violence at all cost. "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people" Titus 3:2 

I recall the teaching of prophet Muhammad that says, "Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind" Hadith

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For our country to move forward, we most have a shift in mindset, by doing the right thing. Your vote is not for sale, and election is not combat or ground for confrontation. We are a civilised and democratic nation as such, will your power of electoral franchise. It is your constitutional right to vote and be voted for. 

Don't be a victim, some unfortunate youth who allowed themselves to be used as objects and instruments of destruction and electoral violence and malpractices, are regretting their actions today. Some are not even lucky enough to be alive, talk more of regretting, because they died in the process and have been forgotten by those who pushed and cajoled them into that action. Be wise, do not fall victim. 

All those politicians who would ask you or have asked you to destroy and cause problems during elections, have you asked yourself the salient question? Where are their children? Why didn't or wouldn't they use their own children? if it's a beneficial thing to do, let them engage their own flesh and blood to do it. You life is worth so much more. Don't be careless, don't be used and do not be a victim. 

Those wicked and desperate politicians that would do anything to get there, with your help as instruments, and agents of destruction, possibly with their fat, and big empty promises. Is it worth your life? Why would you put your life on the line or throw your live away to give them opportunity to steal and squander the country's treasure for their children? and deny those well meaning politicians the opportunity to make a difference. Do not be a victim. 

Again. Do not be a victim, be a part of making the victory, go and get your Permanent Voters Card, PVC. Believe me, I know. Everything in Nigeria is stressful to get and considering everything happening on a daily basis, it's discouraging. But, we can not solve anything by complaining. Endure it all and get your PVC. It is where your power lies, sieve out those in power who are not doing well and put into power those you think can deliver. You are the kingmaker. Go and get your PVC. Exercise your franchise, will your power and let's right the country's image and change history for our generation and generations to come.