We are yet to get it right.

By Hadiza Babakatcha

 Every family is paying or has paid the Supreme tax to the negligence and failure of those we chose as leaders. 

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Every household in Nigeria, I mean the ordinary Nigerians, who can not afford to send their loved ones abroad, have paid heavily to insecurity, bad road, dilapidated health facilities, power failure, unavailability of potable water and the list continues...

How do I describe our dear country Nigeria? What role are you playing in Nigeria? Are you in a driver's seat? Or are you a passenger? How has been the journey in the last ten years? What role have you been playing? Have you just been hanging around surviving and complaining? I understand, some times we feel hopeless and lost, and we ask questions, Yet, there are no answers, this makes us feel like victims in our own fathers' land.

The situation is deteriorating in my opinion. Men argue it every day, they lament the situation, the pitiful circumstance we are in, as Nigerians. Have you walked past a newspaper stand recently? Did you listen to or heard their conversation or arguments?  What do you think? 

The voice of man is the voice of God. Everything is not okay in this country. I agree, with those who share these sentiments, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. After all 

What have you been doing, in your little way to right the county? Nigeria is synonymous with a ship whose captains are either lost or off track. The ship needs a rescue team, and change agents to correct the problem, negligence and failures that lead the ship to this point in time. 

As typical Nigerians, we are fast to rain blame on our leaders, without starting with ourselves. If must make changes, then it must start with the man in the mirror, what is the reflection you see when you look at the mirror? Let the change begin with him/ her. 

A country is like a traditional kingdom, without the people the kingdom does not need a king. We the people are the kingmakers, we choose our leaders, either good or bad, and it is a reflection of our decisions. 

We complain every day, yet we contribute to the mess we found ourselves in. Forgetting that, we are all at the receiving end of the tunnel.

All hope is not lost though, because the power lies with us if only we will that power of making a king. The time is fast approaching, don't get carried away by their sugarcoating words, which weigh less than zero. Many of those we vote to represent us, do not truly have the empathy, zeal, and goal to make positive impacts, they are beclouded with greed, desire and lack of public interest. 

Elections are approaching, make judicious use of your power, will your franchise and vote for the rightful candidates of your choice, who would bring about peace, unity, development and stability to Nigeria. The power is in our hands... 

Are you one of those who give flimsy excuses such as; "my votes won't count" and the likes? Unfortunately, many people who give excuses for not voting are the so-called "well educated" well educated, then allow the less educated and the illiterates to choose leaders for you. Isn't that unfortunate? 

Go get your permanent voter's card, PVC. That is where your power lies, get yours and let's put the right people of our choice. Any politician who offered to buy your vote is an enemy to your country and consequently your generation and generations to come. Do not accept the peanuts and suffer for a lifetime. 

We deserve much better because use Nigeria is our fatherland. The change we crave is in our hands. Say NO to vote buying.