I had the privilege to talk to a friend of mine last year about the Gabonese elections. Apparently they have absentee balloting at embassies all over the world. People can register and can go to the embassies and consulates with their passports! They can vote and its handled in house! And best of all, their votes count... however small the percentage of overall votes...Go Figure!
And it made me think. There are so many Nigerian living outside of Nigeria. In the USA, we are the largest African community. We are the most educated immigrant population too, but yet we cant put our heads together to fight for our RIGHT to vote in Nigerian elections. There's no "out of sight out of mind" when it comes to the rights of a Nigerian.
(courtesy of Pixhaus.com)
Anyway I fast forward to a conversation I was having with one of my Nigerian Big Sistah. She was so upset at the whole hullaballoo about Nigeria at 50 and the monies being spent on it, when so little is spent on Nigerian healthcare or education. She was appauled by the groups here in america putting together parades and celebrations and making money off of independence parties while their counterparts suffer from hunger, disease, and lack of infrastructure. "What is there to celebrate" she said. I brought up that as Nigerians many times we can spend to go to Nigeria for December vacation, but we can't make a sacrifice to make our voice heard for the good out our country.
(courtesy of republicreporters.com)
Where are the rallies? Where are the protests? Wheres the action? Is there even one event focused on discussion and holding people accountable for Nigeria as a Failed state so far?
(courtesy of tdaxp.com)
Basically, if we don't take ourselves seriously, Nigerian crooks... oops i mean "politicians", wont take us seriously. Imagine if there was a great campaign with celebrities and dignitaries promoting forgoing leisure travel to Nigeria for the sole purpose of sparking a mass migration to Naija during election season. Imagine!
Also imagine if we could lobby to have absentee balloting now that we have our new biometric passports. I'm sure there's an independent firm out there that could be contracted to conduct non partisan, non-biased elections processes at Nigerian Embassies and consulates world wide. We are smart people. Lets think here! I would love to rally and lobby for such an ability. Just because I no dey 4 my papa land no mean I no dey Nigerian. I'm a Nigerian O! Green Pali for me o! I want to VOTE o!
Lets see which politicians would back something like that. Maybe only the ones that believe in a fair and free elections... ermm... none? God forbid! Well lets see. The thought is out there. I'm not claiming intellectual property rights on this. who ever is capable and sure of heart should get it done!
(courtesy of uhrobotimes.com)
Anyway until then, I have resigned to the fact that I just must prepare myself for voting in Nigeria! I will be there! I will be ready! I will Vote! and for the first time ever. Meet me at the Polling booth, its going down!
