Checklist for the electorate

SIR: Since electioneering commenced, politicians are strategising to convince the electorate by making spurious promises at political rallies.  At the campaign venues “rented crowd” of miscreants parade themselves as party supporters.  Most times, they are the perpetrators of vandalism, rigging, hooliganism, thuggery, and sundry illegalities. Undoubtedly, the political class has nothing substantial to offer the rented crowd, other than to use it to harass and intimidate opponents and drive fear into the minds of the public.   

  A lot of atrocities ranging from destruction of billboards and posters of other candidates, attacking and inflicting injuries on citizens, killing, maiming, arson are committed.  It is disheartening that law enforcement agents have done little or nothing to checkmate the excesses of these political gladiators.  Whenever crimes are committed, the Police spokesperson will always say, “we are on top of the matter”, regardless of the lives and property that are lost. 

  It is apparent that Nigerians are desirous of having the next president, but there is the urgent need for the electorate to look away from mere frivolities on different platforms and seek probity in governance as well as engender economic and social recovery.  One would have expected the electorate to learn from precedents and make judicious use of their franchise especially at this crucial time that the polity needs an overhaul at all levels of administration.

  Consequently, if the electorates do not vote wisely, history will repeat itself.  The cabals will take over the governance and the suffering of the citizenry will increase. Therefore, when the electorate go to the polls for the forthcoming presidential election, they need to look for the following criteria before casting their precious votes: ability to take a firm stance against corruption, tackle insurgency, attract new talents into government and foreign investors into the country, rebrand Nigeria to an enviable position, lead and manage opposition groups, inspire followership and chart a new course and create a new culture for the country and improve the economy. In essence, they should alleviate the suffering of the masses.

• Tunde Ajibike, 

Ibadan