Another moment has
dawn on us, the moment to decide the future of Osun State. Either good or bad,
that choice lies on our very thumbs. Whichever way we swings it, the effect(s)
would bear social and economic impacts on everyone.
Just as it is the norm
in our political process, Osun people will go to the poll on September 22 to
decide who leads the state for another four years. With their thumbs, they
would make a choice and the outcome of the election will depict the projection
of the people for the future; either for the restoration of Osun or fancy of
their stomachs.
I'm particular about
the fancy of stomachs due to the depressing culture of vote-buying that is
shamelessly deployed to influence electorates. It is disturbing that the plight
of the people have become a tool perpetuate their oppressors in power. That is
a narrative the people must rise up to reject.
Disturbingly, those
who cornered our resources for their private uses, have shown insatiable quest
for their greediness. Rather than be remorseful and sought the people apology
for failing them in rendering the expected service when they were entrusted
with leading the state, they are either scheming themselves or trying to foist
another error on the state, to maintain their lust for raking our collective
wealths.
They mocked the people
situation by doling out cash every election period to influence their choice.
It is an evil they sought to normalise but with our firm resolves, we can
resist them.
Osun is in shamble and
struggling to survive the damages of the past. Recurring leadership failures
have left the state in a precarious situation and salvaging the sordid outlook
of both economic and social imbalance that plagued the state requires firm
resolves and patriotic postures.
Casting the ballot is
a civic right that should not be influenced by enticement. Whenever electorates
surrendered their mandate for token, it implies their complicit in the
misgovernance that plagued our society. They should blame themselves for the
horrendous plights that the ruling elites melts on them.
So, it is time we
discontinue our mistakes and ignore every deceits that orchestrated the
disappointments and regrets of the past. Our votes should preface a promising
tomorrow, not compound our woes. It should halt the uninspiring outlook in our
dear state, not prolong our harrowings.
That is the essence of
democracy. That was why our founding-father fought for democracy because they
were convinced that it allows us the choice to determine our future. Within our
thumbs lies our faith and that of our society.
As such, we must brace
up and take a firm decision to correct the anomalies of the past. We should
outsmart our oppressors by choosing our collective comforts and growths to
their selfish attempt to further subjugate us. We should reject fancy of
stomachs and let our votes reflect our consciences.
We should rise up to
the defence of Osun state and ignore advances to lure our votes with token in
order to continue the pillaging of our collective wealth by only few
individuals. No matter the situation, we should never succumb to selling our
votes.
It is the power we
have to effect a better society and we must
make our oppressors
understand that we want a prosperous Osun where our stomachs will be filled
without restraint all day and not the deceits of a cup of rise that can not
satisfy us for a single day.
Our democracy is at
the edge and we must not let it slide. Vote-buying is anti-democratic but as it
is with almost every other illicit acts, it flourishes when their willing
accomplice. Either knowingly or unknowingly, the lust for money has aided the
shameless culture of monetising votes. It must stop because our future hangs in
the balance.
*Contributed by Kabiru Adeniyi Adisa FCA, President General, Charitable Youth for Nation Building Initiative
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