FRIENDSHIPS OVER ELECTIONS; A CONFUSED PERSPECTIVE

The election season in OAU -- the heat and battle; at the peak of climax! Glaring back from every wall, bench, and what not; our eyes are constantly being fed with colorful -- and at times, black and white -- poster designs depicting corporately dressed individuals in killer poses, brandishing catch phrases with the not too subtle undertones labelling them as the best for the job. This year, a long list of students are gunning for the top spot of the Student's Union position, that a majority of us have lost count.

 

Definitely not here for the election fever per se. I'm here instead, to steer our attention to a pattern of behavior I have noticed, not necessarily from the candidates, but from those standing rock-solid behind them (eyin fans mi). Either it's at the Departmental, Faculty, or Student's Union level, every candidate is obviously backed by a number of supporters, most of whom have their foundation being the close friends of the candidates. Even those who aren't close friends endorse a particular candidate on the simple notion of, "I know him/her." I've heard this statement so many times, it's made me serious question our opinion of what quality is. "The devil you know I better than the angel you don't," does that make the devil really better than the angel? Honestly, does it?

For decades, we've sat in the comfort of our homes, or stood in front of newspaper stands and openly criticized the government of nepotism and favouritism. Appointment of officials is based strictly on a "Na my person. E suppose chop as I dey chop," level. This is the notion from which the much acclaimed phrase, "national cake," is gotten. Think now, will you? Do you think it's the young ones who grow up to become the political monsters we have today? Public funds did not always start out as being the national cake. First, we had the Departmental cake, then it graduated to the Student's Union's cake, and now... Well, you know. Or is it the other way around? Are these young ones merely emulating the characteristics of their fathers who have gone ahead of them? Like children tutored by the modeling of their parents, are they learning by sight?

Whichever the case, we the youths are supposed to be the change agents of the nation. But if we still endorse a candidate simply because he/she is a friend, then we have a very long way to go as a nation. Maybe I'm just saying this because I'm staring at the events from the lens of a journalists. Perhaps I'm yet to fully comprehend the emotional and psychological pain it could cause to hear your best friend tell you categorically that you're the least qualified among others, for a position. Perhaps the very concept of friendship is eluding me here. Is  politics meant to lead to the death of friendships or does it amplify it? 

Hmmm...

If it amplifies it, then why this argument? But if you're looking at this just within the scope of friendship, then where does this leave the majority who sincerely want a change in the organization? Do we sincerely think we'll get anywhere as a nation like this? 

Then again, if I find it easy to severe ties with my friends over a political position, doesn't that just proves that killing my human emotions will eventually be a breeze? Bear with me, I did say I was confused! 

Moral ethics tells us that righteous acts are those taken to promote the greater good, and I believe everyone of us have somehow come to uphold this claim either consciously or unconsciously. In other words, or simpler terms, don't endorse your friend for a position simply on the basis that he/she is your friend. Selfishness is what ruins the world daily.

But hey, I'm sure someone is reading this post with the persistent argument of, "Well, I know my friend and I'm sure he/she is the best for the job."

Sighs... Nigeria, we have a long way to go.

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