The Youth in Nigerian Democracy: Money Politics&Our Birthrights

Already,the economy is suffering from, in a lay man's language, lack of cash...it's as if money is being mopped out of the economy... everyone is complaining 'no money,money! '. It's equally amusing to note that virtually all of us know why this is the case. We all know that our political heads are stock piling the money ahead of the upcoming general elections. But what has money got to do with elections to the extent that so much savings is required?
Under normal circumstances,apart from the purchase of nomination forms,other things that should cost money are election campaign materials and their customization as well as souvenirs... stuffs relating to hosting and presenting campaign promises to potential voters...other than these, there's very little need for money during elections. But,is this the case,how affordable are even the nomination forms among other necessities of electioneering,can we say categorically,under the present circumstances, that contesting and winning elections is feasibly possible for all Nigerians as enshrined in our law book without having to bow or submit to the whims of some godfather... ARE OUR ELECTIONS TRULY FAIR,IF NOT,WHY NOT?
I read on facebook that one of the aspirants for presidency complained of the exorbitant charges for the nomination forms in his choice party and the best defense a spokesperson of the affected political party could muster is that they did that to separate the boys from the men! I think that is crazy! It's like the party's authorities have forgotten what elections are all about!!!
Elections are the only means by which people choose their leaders, any attempt to 'separate the men from the boys' is actually an attempt to disenfranchise the people and impose someone on the people. Let the people decide,not you...stop using your position against the people. Nomination forms are meant to be affordable enough for any Nigerian to purchase without having to pay through the nose. This is, in fact,the very first step to true democracy...an average man should be able to afford the nomination forms both within a party and INEC! 'Separating the men from the boys' by INCREASING THE PRICES OF NOMINATION FORMS,to me,is like saying ONLY THE RICH HAS THE RIGHT TO BE VOTED FOR AND I DON'T SEE THE FAIRNESS IN THAT!THE PRICES MUST BE AFFORDABLE TO ENSURE FAIRNESS.
Another burning issue that's worth discussing here is the idea of 'Unanimous Candidate' which is another way of saying 'look,this guy is popular and have done so well that NONE OF US WANTS TO GO THE PRIMARIES WITH HIM!' Now,that's something,I don't see happening in Nigeria unless you are able to silence the opposition one way or the other. Some are bribed with either money or a post in government others who refuse the bribe are either permanently silenced (killed) or outdone one way or the other or sometimes suspended...there are many ways to keep opposition away. But the bottomline here is that MONEY IS REQUIRED TO DO IT...ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO HOARD MONEY!
So,when I hear 'Unanimous Candidate' or 'Our sole Candidate' I know there's more to it that it meets the eye...most often than not,there's a foul play!
Now,all the above mentioned forms of corrupt practises are done covertly behind the scenes...but,what's with the money game we all get involved with a few days to the elections? I still find it difficult to understand how we expect a change when we keep doing the same things the same way all the time!
Every four years,we get set to elect new leaders but we end up electing the same old hands that has practically robbed us of the dividends of democracy and have done more of embezzlement than development. Yet,we keep on recycling the same old cargoes and somehow hope to experience some change! Isn't that crazy?!
If you desire a change,you have to change the way you do things. If we hope to get a better deal from our politicians, we must learn to live without their miserable, petty bribes of 'rice and semo',or more precisely, their 'money politics'!
Like I mentioned in a previous post,they don't really need your votes, what they really need is our endorsement to rigging... this is exactly what you give to them the moment you accept their...'gifts'. Just because of the money,you attend their rallies, sign documents that say they are the people's choice, you walk around in their campaign shirts, hats and vans and you still wonder why life is so hard in Nigeria? If life was easier,how would they have bought your conscience so easily?!
They would do all that's necessary  to starve you hard enough to sell your birthright like Eesau,brother to Jacob!You buy only hungry people, you can't buy financially independent people. You have to stay poor to maintain the status quo!
Just like Eesau, we go on a hunt for the heads of the political class, our Jacobs... and just like Jacob, they take to their heels and hide away in bullet proof SUV's and in the protection of the security agencies for another four years during which we complain,lament endlessly and just when we get the chance to have our sweet revenge by voting them out,they starve us a lot more so that we would do anything to get paid and instead of ending the vicious circle,we loose focus,turn around and find reasons why we should accept their bribes...and so begins another circle!
You know, some people would tell you they accepted the money as their own share of the national cake...their share of the loot...so,politicians loot the treasury and give you your own cut...that makes you equally guilty even if his is in millions and yours is just N500...you are equally a thief! This is why it's wrong to accept bribes... you bribe to get UNDESERVED benefits! Whoever accepts it is party to it and part of the problems of the state because, YOU ARE IN FACT A MAJOR REASON WHY HE STEALS...IF YOU WON'T TAKE A BRIBE, HE WON'T BOTHER STEALING AND HOARDING ENOUGH TO PAY NEITHER WOULD HE EXPECT TO GET ANYTHING FROM YOU UNLESS HE EARNS IT!
That's why I'm appealing to every well meaning youth to reject all forms of incentives for their votes and give only to deserving candidate...MAKE THEM EARN YOUR VOTES,DON'T SELL IT TO THEM...VOTE FOR MERIT NOT BRIBES, VOTE FOR PROGRESS,VOTE FOR CHANGE AND GOD BLESS NIGERIA!!!
Regards,
Abdurrahman,
07037595859,
http://moneymakingmachine-alchemy007.blogspot.com