To the Osun state electorate

Service above self, is a habit either inculcated from childhood-deeply ingrained within the crevices of one’s consciousness or imparted through a well-structured religious or spiritual path. Anything short of the above is a mere veneer over one’s covert intention(s).- Prof. Dele Owolawi.

Sir: The above quote puts in a nutshell the dilemma of the Nigerian today.

They are disappointed by the drolleries they see every day in the name of democracy.

The fate of the people of Osun State now rest with them, as they prepare for the forth-coming gubernatorial re-run elections today.

It will be ridiculous, if the voters in that state, like some voters, in another state as earlier reported a moment ago, allow themselves to be persuaded to elect candidates based on the enticement of cooked rice, or bags of rice and sundries.

That would be an insult to the Osun people and by extension all Nigerians.

They should have nothing to do with the politics of deceit and avoid been passive?

This country is in ruins because the voters have made poor use of their influence and authority and what has happened?

The result is the endless gulf between haves and have-nots.

Today some office-seekers being proactive of their political ambition set in motion a resemblance of service to the people whilst in reality it’s a scheme to clinch political power and when this is achieved they watch citizens die from diseases that care could prevent.

It is now common for people to beg on the streets for alms, and in the newspapers for donations to bring medical care to their loved ones.

And as they do, those elected on their promise of Utopia continue to fail the voters in their pursuits of self-interest.

People of Osun State in Nigeria today, are bleeding and wonder how long they would have to wait for their modest dreams to come true?

Now is the time for them to look at the candidates eyeball-to-eyeball and ask them what they can do to stem the tide of rural-urban migration which has only added to the congestion and the problems of high-density living where infrastructure and services remain under-developed.

Now is the time to ask them what plans they have to expand access to quality education which is denied to the poor and what processes are in place to prevent the state from been another haven for religious bigots caused by the publicised intervention of the state administrator in the affairs of some schools with religious comportments.

We have our public schools in Nigeria, unsupported and decaying with unqualified teachers and lack of funding.

And this remains the status quo where only the poor send their children to learn in these schools.

Ask them what plans they have to lift you out of poverty, to give you decent healthcare, quality life and meet all of your needs.

Do not fall victim easily to promises made, oh! so sincerely, hand-on-heart by those who seek your votes?

Seek instead the candidate who can firmly protect your homes, provide education for your children and regular income for breadwinners.

There is no better time to change Osun State than now and the burden of change rests on you (voters).

This time, let voters not be swayed by the same promises that deliver nothing.

• Simon Abah wrote from Abuja.