More thoughts for Nigerians if the polls hold today

I was in a dilemma some days back. You see, I’d just read somewhere, not Daily Trust mind you, that our dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, sent out a warning to the international community, and I quote: “in the face of mounting verbal aggression from some countries ahead of the presidential elections on Saturday.” The report, on an online portal (which I usually avoid because of credibility issues) said Onyeama issued this warning, while briefing the diplomatic community on the rescheduled general elections, in the nation’s capital, Abuja. I checked and said report seemed solid enough for me to continue. He told the diplomatic community not to cross the line between advising Nigeria on good governance and dictating to the country how to govern.

As it piqued my interest, it continued to read: “At the end of the day, we are a sovereign nation and the line shouldn’t be crossed from exhorting us and wanting us to succeed and wanting this to be a really democratic process to dictating to us and really getting into the nitty-gritty of how we run the country which is exclusively the responsibility of this government.”

All good, and fine. But should Onyeama be the one saying this? It just seemed like something was off there, like he’s trying to score cheap political points. Now, in a country like Nigeria, that’s not a problem: Public servants thrive on shenanigans like that. But what irked me is the fact that the whole world was being addressed here. Haba! A minister should have given a more thought-out speech.

Don’t forget that the federal government in the run-up to the elections, had on several occasions, raised concerns about what it described as interference from foreign bodies. This set the tone for a sudden lack of hospitability. From Nigeria? That friendly giant of Africa, and a keeper of brothers? Come on. Even when the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai last week warned that anyone who attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs especially as the general elections draw closer will return to their countries in body bags, I didn’t expect the ire against foreigners to grow. I certainly hope it dies down, especially with the same governor assuring foreign observers of their safety, a move I personally liked and applauded, even if it was way after a nasty gaffe on his part. Again, things said should have been more thought-out.

I’ve said the following before, and I’ll say it again, because even after a week (thanks to INEC’s terrible postponement), it’s still pertinent. Now, what we stand to gain from peaceful elections, and clean politicking, is very simple: peace. And isn’t that what every decent human being wants, and should strive to get? Like I’ve written before, I have struggled with making a choice between the two major candidates, and I have eventually concluded on who to pick, after much soul-searching. It is that deep introspection that I’m asking of fellow Nigerian voters today, in choosing the people who will lead us. It is the same thing I am asking of us come next week when we vote in (or out) governors. I strongly believe that if we tell ourselves the truth, we will ultimately make the right choice. And what is that choice? One that will lead us with honour. May the best man (for all of us Nigerians) win.

Lola-Maliki wrote in from Lekki Phase I, Lagos State.