As a Nigerian, you should read this before you Decide to Vote

Hello darlings, happy new week! It's sweet to have an opportunity to click START again. *lick lips* Hmmmm. . .that smell. . . the smell of a new day. I love it. So how was your weekend? Mine was all about Nigeria o. We had a vigil in church with the sole aim to #PrayForNigeria. Mehn, It was so refreshing. I believe God hears our prayers. And so I decided to write this piece to backup my faith in Nigeria. Lol. 

2 Reasons why you shouldn't Vote

You will agree with me that this is the most crucial moment in the country. It is our moment of decision. The time we decide to move forward, move to the side, or move backward. We're in for a battle. It is a battle for our lives, our children, and our future. So it is very important that we are spiritually, physically, as well as mentally ready.

This should be a guide through the path of decision. . .

• Do not Vote on the Basis of Religion

No politician is a religious being. Yes, I'll say that again. No politician is a true Christian/Muslim. They are simply humans. Well, they could claim to be Christians/Muslims before election to cajole you to vote for them. Believe me, after the election, they put religion aside. And then showcase the REAL PERSON behind those posters you see everywhere.

Nigeria is regarded as one of the most religious countries in the world. (In other words, na we dey carry church/mosque for head pass). But see now, where has religion taken us to? Right here. This is how far we have come.

It is ridiculous because no filling station gives preference to any particular religion. Petrol does not respect religion. The Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists, Atheists, and everybody queue up at the same filling station to buy petrol at the same price to drive on the same road. NEPA bills all of us regardless of our religion. Children with different religious parents who go to the same school pay the same amount of school fees. So why are we now deceiving ourselves?

Let us put religion aside when we make the decision to vote. It shouldn't matter if s/he attends your church or not. It also doesn't matter if s/he has been to Mecca or not.

• Do not Vote on the Basis of Tribe

Back in school, I remember how we were forced to read the book; 'The Trouble with Nigeria' by Chinua Achebe as part of the course requirements on GSP102 (Use of English II). Choi, I read that book from cover to cover so tey I got a 'B' in GSP102. *wipes face* One of the problems the author highlighted is tribalism. As much as I hate to say this, tribalism is a bane of our national development. And we know this. Yes, you do jhorr!

I hear some people say:
"Me ke. I cannot vote for a Hausa man!" "Because I am Igbo. Therefore I will vote for an Igbo" "Over my dead body will a Yoruba rule us again" blah blah blah and blah!

The last time I checked, we have not divided into three countries. We are not Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa. We are not south, west, north, and east. We are one - one country called NIGERIA.

Also, our motto still hasn't changed - 

Unity and faith, peace and progress. Unity comes before faith, faith before peace, and peace before progress. Unity is the bedrock for progress. We cannot move forward without being united in purpose, integrity, and service. 

Pulea......se! Let's forget the tribe when we decide to vote. Make tribalism no go kill us finish abeg o!

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Why am I telling you this? I need you to understand that religion and tribalism will take us nowhere. Don't be sentimental about this issue. Look beyond the perspectives of their religion and tribes. Consider the state of the country - economy, education, electricity, and employment.

That's all. You may probably forget all my yannings but at least, keep this in mind till March 28:

Do not fight for any party, fight for your very own country. Do not sell your vote, vote purely on merit.

It is well with you.
It is well with yours.
It is well with Nigeria. Amen.

Thanks for reading. :)

Photo source: GettyImages
Written by: Nwamaka Ajaegbu 
Follow on Twitter: @Amakamedia 
Email: amakamedia@gmail.com

Heart Rays  . . .giving out the light.