PanNigerianNews 
Harold D. Lasswell, a political scientist cum communication theorist conceptualised that politics as”who gets what, when, and how.” The game of politics is about to be played in Nigeria. Who will triumph? The 2023 presidential election is fast approaching. The candidates are working tirelessly to clinch the mantle. By 2023, they will know their fate sure.
According to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, one of the fundamental human rights being enjoyed by the citizens is the right to vote and be voted for. This is the only power the masses can use to choose the candidates of their choice. To express the least, between 2015 and 2019, the rope and the hen are of no comfort — “Ara kò ro okùn, ara ko ro adìre.” However, no good thing has come out of the Nazareth of this government. We voted Gen. Buhari in, in our quest for change, not conscious of the type of change – whether for good or the opposite.
During the last presidential election campaign, promises were made but it is unfortunate that they are unfulfilled. The overzealous political merchants are a cluster of promise breachers. They are of the sole aim of adding feathers to their nest. Free education, payment of stipends/penny to unemployed youths, undergraduate etc. are enough exhibits of the promises yet to be fulfilled. They bamboozled our horizon.
They can’t be castigated because no sane individual will venture into a business and pray for loss. They all carried cross the luggage of corruption on their neck.
In my view, maladministration of Buhari’s government has put a stain on the immaculate linen of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In another dimension, this incumbent government laid blocks on the foundation erected by the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan. Between 2011 and 2015, the havocs wreaked and the travail inflicted on citizens is nothing to write home about. This may be a contributive factor that led to the downfall of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election.
At this juncture, my candid advice to my fellow Nigerians is if truly we are unsatisfied by the government of tyrants, ethnic bigots, religious fanatics, etc., let us utilise our Permanent Voter Cards cum our thumbs to opt-in a government that will be sensitive to the voice and the feelings of the masses.
Let us not be overwhelmed by the pennies they always distribute during the election period. We are now wise; the last mistake should not repeat itself. May God guide us to the right path. Three years of travail looks like many years.If you hear, then, we will enhance “change” from the mouth of the candidates and we will confidently ask for which change – for good or for bad.
Olayode writes from Ogbomoso.
