A wise saying suggests that hunger can make individuals susceptible to manipulation. In Nigeria, this reality is evident as the ruling class exploits widespread poverty to gain electoral advantages. The connection between hunger and politics has become deeply intertwined, with politicians using basic necessities as tools for control. What should be a democratic process has devolved into a survival game, where citizens are compelled to exchange their votes for food, money, or other essentials.
The prevalence of vote buying in Nigeria has grown in scale and sophistication. It now involves not just paying for votes but monitoring voters, ensuring they choose the desired candidate before receiving a nominal sum. This transactional approach to elections erodes the essence of democracy, turning the electoral process into a marketplace of desperation where votes are no longer freely given but bought. The recent Edo election exemplifies how entrenched this practice has become, with reports of widespread vote buying and disruptions at polling units.
An aspirant in the Edo election, Olumide Akpata, highlighted the troubling reality of this corrupt system, noting that the process had shifted from an election to a mere transaction. Rather than addressing poverty and hardship, the political elite exploit these conditions to maintain power, understanding that impoverished populations are more easily controlled. By perpetuating poverty, the ruling class ensures their dominance in elections.
The strategy is straightforward yet devastating—create desperation, exploit it, and distract the populace from demanding real change. In this scenario, elections lose their purpose of selecting capable leaders, as they become a means of survival. The more desperate the voters, the simpler it is to manipulate them, leaving them powerless to demand accountability. This cycle perpetuates the rule of the political elite at the expense of the suffering masses.
The audacity with which the ruling class engages in vote buying, coupled with their silence on the matter, reinforces this corrupt system. The recently concluded Edo election is not an isolated incident, and the looming Ondo gubernatorial election is likely to witness similar tactics. Without intervention, Ondo may succumb to the same manipulation, perpetuating poor governance.
The ruling elite’s involvement in this exploitation cannot be overlooked. Their tacit approval of vote buying through silence and assurances of victory to candidates raise doubts about the integrity of the electoral process. Their focus on political gain rather than addressing poverty exacerbates the vulnerability of the populace to manipulation, ensuring the cycle of electing unfit leaders continues.
This situation is not merely an electoral issue but a deliberate strategy by the ruling class to maintain power. The lack of accountability, the exploitation of hunger, and the impunity with which they operate reveal a broader conspiracy where poverty is wielded as a tool of governance. As long as the masses remain hungry and desperate, they will remain subjects in this political game.
As the Ondo election approaches, unless significant changes are implemented, the same problems are likely to persist. Holding the ruling elite accountable for perpetuating this corrupt system is imperative. Shifting focus from short-term survival to long-term change is necessary to empower the masses to make informed choices based on conviction rather than necessity.
In conclusion, Nigeria must confront the harsh reality that hunger can silence demands for accountability. Resolving systemic issues of poverty and hunger is essential to break the cycle of manipulation and pave the way for true democracy.