By Sunmola Olowookere
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Nigerian electorates have been urged to awaken themselves from their lethargy and exercise their voting right in order to install a leader of their choice.
Making this call was a professor of Philosophy at the Ekiti State University, Prof. Wale Olajide at a town hall meeting organised by the National Association of Sea Dogs also known as Pyrates Confraternity during the weekend in Akure.
Olajide who was invited by the organisation to deliver a lecture on “The Right Attitude towards Credible Election in Nigeria; The Role of the Electorate” preferred to speak on a topic which he called “Democracy in Nigeria, a metaphor for harakiri”.
He expressed pessimism regarding the attitude of today’s electorate as he described them as pawns in the hands of the politicians which he believed would take a conscientious effort to change.
In this vein, he urged stakeholders to ensure that the upcoming generation do not inherited the mindset of the current electorate.
He described the attitude of most electorate in taking bribes from politicians and voting against their choice as brainless and one without focus.
He preached that power belonged to the people to change things back to the right track but lamented that the people had given their power to those that do not represent their interest well.
The guest lecturer declared that the Nigeria masses have committed harakiri;a self inflicted injury as the people had given power to those people that would not serve them.
He urged the people to be more alive to their responsibilities.
Also speaking, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ondo State Bode Famose charged electorates to always be alive to their responsibilities.
While delivering the welcome address, he stated that the group wanted a change of attitude regarding elections in the nation.
Dignitaries present at the occasion include a traditional monarch, the Olujigba of Ijigba, Rev. Rotimi Luyi, the guest lecturer, Prof. Wale Olajide, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Bode Famose and the Capoon, National Association of Seadogs, Emmanuel Gbahabo.
Groups invited to the occasion include Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the War Against Indispline brigade.
