Date: 2014-10-09

As my state prepares to elect a new governor come 2015; the hype is high as to who takes the seat at the Ahmadu Bello Way Government House. Efforts have been on the high side to know potential factors and persons likely to influence the outcome of the yet to be had poll. Interestingly, the gladiators are familiar faces whose respective track records can be laid to bare even though few of them have not been privileged to make impacts as individuals and representatives of the people in the capacities they have served or are serving.

Kwara state appears so dear to her citizens (natural and adopted) that across the two divides (Politicians and Non-Politicians) we have now found ourselves yearning for true representation and democratic practice. We know politicians as people who 'sweet talk' so we will not be bothered by slogans like 'Change' and 'Freedom' because the underlining intention behind these words is not far away from self serving greed and personal ambitions. That is why you see people who have been out of business now metamorphosing into messiahs while those who have/are serving but do not have anything to show for it now suddenly realized they have to step up higher before they can be useful to the people. Such are examples of what you see in an atmosphere of fear and democratic ignorance; which is always what you get when people fail to understand their worth in a democracy, fail to understand that sentiments will not get us anywhere and that brothers of the same parent belonging to different parties do not have to break family ties.

Kwara state knows too well how a 'walnut' tastes that each time it thinks it has gotten it right, it will find itself rejigging its tactics but ignorantly forgetting that its citizens are subject to bribe, poverty, shortsightedness, illiteracy, and ignorance. With these, they would forget that votes cast can be a true reflection of their state of mind and correct their state of living. If voters education is high, it will make the best out of what we practice because politicians would be forced to campaign on programs, manifesto, and issues; not on slogans.

In few months to come, Kwara state would be going to the polls again to elect who we consider 'Best-Fit-For-The-Job' from among the options we would have across the political parties. We should not be bothered by disaffection and endorsements in most of these parties but rather individuals we consider capable enough to steer our mandate to yielding our respective desires and democratic dividends as it is needed in the land. This should not be restricted to the guber alone but all offices.

The Next Kwara Governor must be a Kwaran voted for by Kwarans!