FRANCHISE TRADING: Alkali Amana's Board

FRANCHISE TRADING

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer
Things fall apart
The centre cannot hold
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world
- W. B Yeats

Hello Tellrheaders (in the words of my colleague on this platform). It's great to be back again, bringing the message of society to you. Today, carries one with a sensitive middle and I hope you key into it.

The above poem resonates in its strength an angle of the Nigerian problem, the divisiveness and state in which we remain. Achebe used this to write the book 'Things Fall Apart' to show how, with the coming of colonialism, we began to lose our value system and culture. But, in this capacity, it is to show how we have lost our identity to the proceeds and dividends of corruption.

The latest trend and wave that has grown its baby teeth so far, and is still gaining much ground, is the practice of 'Vote buying and selling', where people sell their conscience, person and future to make gain of an everlasting loss. We may quote ignorance, or call illiteracy, but it will not suffice in an able judgment as a good reason for 'Franchise Trading'. We have watched with much ire the recent activities that encapsulate the whole system of a voting at polling units now in elections, the recent ones being Ekiti state general elections and Kogi State bye-elections. This is a trend that has been deeply rooted when considering its age and existence in the system but it has never been more so emergent that now, and it must be curbed at its early stages. In effect, it shows the deception of the populace, even with their knowledge, for a bizarre amount of money that could be spent in nanoseconds.

Several measures could be taken to curb this current ill in our society, but first comes the individual before any other. It is well that an individual works for his interest, but s/he should do so in relation to a greater good and benefit, especially for society. It can be well said that the divisiveness we complain about and the set path to corruption begins with the mindset of each individual. And, it is common practice to find the average man ready to trade anything to do away with poverty. The orientation must change. Individuals must learn to think far, and forget myopia. The politicians work on the greed of each man and dissociate him from the collective nature of society. In essence, what is a weapon formed against putting wrong persons in power has become a tool to bring such persons to power using the 'One man One vote' via 'Vote buying and selling'. It is not now out of place to find an individual showing his/her vote to a Party agent to confirm payment of whatever stipend that has been assured upon the completion of such task. In some places, the amount recorded hit #3000 or #5000 or #2000, and in addition some food items not worth #1000 would roll along with payment to show the politician's gratitude. But, we forget that the politician has his money to recoup when he gets there. We forget that what has been bought cannot be paid for again. Thus, we enslave ourselves with our hands, selling our conscience, person and future for filthy lucre. This practice must stop, but it begins with you, each individual in his/her capacity as you control your greed to secure a better future by not selling your votes. You are your vote. Don't be bought.
#Stopvotebuyingandselling
#Stopfranchisetrading

POST BY: ALKALI AMANA

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