The political season is here. With the campaign period now open, the familiar machinery of Nigerian politics will roar back to life—the scheming, political gymnastics, mind games, propaganda, inducements and, above all, the enormous power of incumbency. Every weapon in the political arsenal will be deployed by those determined to win, by all means possible.
But this time, Nigerians must refuse to be spectators in the struggle for their own future.
We must wake up.
Our democracy cannot produce a different outcome if we continue to make the same choices. We cannot complain about bad leadership while selling our votes for ₦5,000, a bag of rice, a bowl of porridge or a few days of political patronage. What is ₦5,000 compared with four years of unemployment, insecurity, poverty, failing infrastructure, poor healthcare and hopelessness?
We must stop selling tomorrow for the price of today’s hunger.
The responsibility before the electorate is enormous. We must look beyond party colours, ethnic sentiments, religious affiliations and empty promises. We must examine the character, competence, integrity and track record of those seeking our votes. Where a person’s record in public service is clear, credible and demonstrably people-centred, that record should matter.
This is also the time for citizens to take responsibility for one another.
Let us educate those who are uninformed about their civic rights. Let us encourage eligible citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, participate in the electoral process and understand how to vote properly. And when we vote, we must remain vigilant and defend the sanctity of our votes through every lawful and peaceful means available to us.
The election is not merely about politicians. It is about us.
It is about the mother struggling to feed her children. It is about the young graduate searching endlessly for work. It is about the farmer who cannot safely reach his farm. It is about the entrepreneur battling a hostile economy. It is about the child whose future depends on the decisions we make today.
We cannot continue to sleep while others determine our destiny.
This is a wake-up call to a slumbering nation: Arise, Nigeria!
Take this message to the villages, towns, cities, markets, campuses, workplaces and every nook and cranny of our country. Let us reject vote buying. Let us reject intimidation. Let us reject corruption. Let us demand accountability.
The ballot is our voice.
The time has come for Nigerians to arise, think, vote wisely and peacefully reclaim the power that belongs to them.
Our nation must not be surrendered to those who would destroy its future for personal gain.
Nigeria belongs to all of us. Let us arise and take responsibility for saving it.
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