What the Elections Proved

In spite of all the election buzz on the Internet, I had a hard time getting a hold of the definite dates for the elections (and whether they were all taking place on one day or if it was just senatorial on Saturday). The most likely reason is that I'm just an old newspaper but I was really confused about when exactly the whole thing was going down and ended up only catching the tail end of the elections on Facebook.

The elections this year were not perfect by any means but they were a HUGE improvement from the last elections and what was even more encouraging was the large numbers of people who turned out to vote. I think these elections prove that in spite of the myriad things that are holding us back (like religion-induced stupidity, inertia, managy-managy attitude to everything, and suffering and smiling nonsense) inside we really do want to live in a better country and we really do want a properly functioning government.

I'm also very happy about the numbers of people that used their phones to report the activities at their polling booths to various websites. The mobile coverage could have been better. I would have LOVED to see videos taken from cellphones, live blogging, more pictures, etc. I would have loved to see a FLOOD of citizen-generated media covering every last bit of the elections but I'm going to calm down and say that at least we got off our asses and made a good start.

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Now I think one of the biggest obstacles facing us as we prepare to transition to a new government is moving from the idea that we want to live in a great country to we DESERVE to live in a great country and forcing our government to remember that EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Our government should know this and Nigerians should know this. Remind yourself every day : I am a Nigerian and I DESERVE the best. I DESERVE a great country. And don't just remind yourself, but do what you can to inch us all closer to that goal; buy Nigerian whenever possible, educate yourself, contribute, communicate with other Nigerians and let's all keep at the front of our minds the kind of country and national identity we want.

I think we're doing such a great job and that things can get even better. There was some rigging and some people tried to intimidate voters but I don't believe it was anywhere near the level it was in the 2007 elections and hopefully we will soon be rid of the detestable PDP.  I was utterly disgusted by the attempt to intimidate voters by bombing Suleja and hopefully the innocent people that died there did not die in vain.

I haven't drawn in months and to be perfectly honest I've been completely uninspired to draw but I did this little drawing a few days ago. I was thinking of the Igbo God Ikenga (a male god of protection, and destiny among other things) and all Ikenga have large horns that represent strength. I decided it would be interesting if I drew Ikenga (which is male) as a modern day woman. I was a bit lazy about the colouring. In fact, I was just lazy period, but it's the thought that matters right? ^_^

Be strong Nigerians!