Redefining Political Apathy; PVC registration in Osun as a case study.
By
— Afolabi Abdulmalik O
_"Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature imeaning to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do."_ - Wendell Berry
It is no more news that we're approaching the politicking period, as the current administration is gradually coming to an end, and there's preparation towards election, for incoming administration.
It is in view of this that qualified adults are implored to get their permanent voters card, so as to partake in the next elections, and this is constitutionally evidenced in the constitution.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the right to vote encourages civic consciousness through political participation; as such, the right to vote is anchored on the tenets of democracy; and democracy is regarded as one of the universal core values and principles of our multiethnic country.
It is trite that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the principle of holding periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage are essential elements of democracy. As such, the right to vote is an indispensable right and the fulcrum upon which democracy rests.
It was a terrible experience today, where I intended registering for my PVC, at salvation school, oke-fia osogbo. There was a huge turn up of crowd, that intends doing same.
Quite unfortunately, those placed at the helm of affairs in the same unit, were far from being fair, as there were lot of unexpected things that was visible to the blind that happened today, ranging from collecting bribes from people for hasten registration, allowing cars that contained individuals to enter into the premises for registration, while most are still cueing, uttering of foul languages, deliberate order of Assembly in a very scorchy and hot sun, as I was there from 8am-5pm without results, to mention but few.
The 'most unimaginable' that occurred was the use of cane on individuals, even including old men and women old enough to be their parents, not excluding pregnant women, this is quite bad and unfortunate, indeed, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It is viewed that electorates are to be encouraged to the core, because situations by which, electorates are abused, deliberately ordered to be in the sun, maltreated, and of all 'beaten', this is more than discouraging electorates.
A huge number of individuals were not attended to, more that One hundred, for that matter. Laughably, those registering left in fury, is this for the betterment of the state, or the opposite, the rest is history.
Consequently, if by peradventure, a low turn up of electorates is recorded, it'll be termed, Political Apathy, meaning indifference of individuals and a lack of interest in participating in political activities. This includes lack of interest in elections, political events, public meetings, and voting, the question is, is that the issue in this instant case, the answer is an emphatic NO!
As a matter of fact, I know this is happening far and wide within the state, but, for example, if there are 15 strategic places where the process is done at osogbo, the state capital, and one hundred and fifty people are denied registration in each unit, that's totalling two thousand, two fifty people willing to vote, would this be termed as an apathy towards voting?
Political apathy won't portray the lack of interest in voting and political activities, but, it'd be redefined as the Strong, active interest in voting activities, but, the denial of the wherewithal by those in charge of the process.
Afolabi Abdulmalik
Arabzico11@gmail.com
08148777171
