What Can A Man Do?

Originally Posted by Taipan

Below is an article I wrote for a magazine (INSPIRE) a few years back when I was still in school. In it, I recounted my own personal experience of the 2003 elections. I titled it "What Can A Man Do?"

I was on campus (Obafemi Awolowo University) during the 2003 presidential elections. It was a rainy day so I didn't go to cast my vote until about 12 noon when the rain subsided. There were about four voting centres on campus, one of which was located in my hall of residence.
Things were orderly at the polling booth; two INEC ladies were working while a number of guys were gisting at a side. I awaited my turn to cast my vote after which I decided to listen to the side talk. As I stood silently listening, I noticed five people, 4 guys and a lady, coming our way. They got to the booth and headed straight for the INEC officials whom they engaged in an animated conversation. Sensing that something was amiss, I moved nearer and heard them demanding for the ballot boxes.
Now I could have raised an alarm, but I wasn't keen on being beaten to a pulp. Yet I wasn't about to let them make fools of us all. They were the representatives of a party I wouldn’t like to mention (call them Party XYZ for now). The other parties which all had one rep each engaged the XYZ boys in a half-hearted argument, but I could see that it was only a matter of time before they had their way.
As I stood there wondering what to do, a friend of mine happened to pass by and I explained to him the situation of things. Luckily for me, he felt exactly as I did. We quickly drew up a plan and then joined the gisting group where we skilfully manoeuvred the discussion to the issue of rigging. When I was sure we had enough potential recruits, I moved to the polling booth and without addressing anyone, began to loudly berate the idea of rigging. They were all taken aback.
The XYZ boys withdrew and invited the other party reps to join them. God knows what they discussed because a few minutes later they returned and with one voice demanded the ballot boxes and voting slips! I was now the only opponent, and though they had begun to physically threaten me, this didn't deter me. Instead I raised my voice. My friend had done his job well for the crowd of recruits began to rally round me. On seeing the tide turning against them, the XYZ boys withdrew.
Of course, we were all elated at our victory and patted ourselves on the back while the ladies offered their thanks. Everyone left but being my stubborn self, I instinctively decided to wait while the officials did the finishing touches. My wait was not to be in vain. I lifted my eyes to see the XYZ boys coming again; they apparently assumed the crowd would have left. On seeing me, they stopped and for a few seconds, we stared at each other. Then they turned and went back. I waited with the ladies till they departed. For them, I was Prince Valiant and Superman, all packaged in one! Needless to say, I would later hear of atrocities committed in other stations, but for me it was a good day!
It may be stupid to think that the incident at one polling station could have changed the course of the elections. But for me, the lesson was that one man could make a difference. My friend and I made a difference in our venue, and if only a thousand people had felt like we did, there would have been a thousand venues free of rigging. We escaped unhurt, but for some, the price might have been higher. But then, how much are we ready to sacrifice to make our nation look like the land of our dreams? Today we speak with envy of nations like the United States, but they laid their foundation with the skulls of the founding fathers and cleansed it with the blood of patriots who fought for their independence and the abolishment of slavery. Hey Nigerian! How much are you willing to sacrifice? Are you willing to step out of your way to correct that guy dropping refuse on the street? Will you refuse that bribe despite the fact that you are broke? Evil thrives on braggadocio; it is never as potent as it makes out. It gets its strength from the fear of cowards and the indecisiveness of the unstable. Don't feed evil, remember the words of Shakespeare:
“Cowards die many times before their death,
The brave only taste of death but once…”
Nigeria is where it is today because the most crucial factors in a nation’s welfare have been left in the hands of thugs and the ignorant while the 'good ones' took care of their families, went to church, and generally minded their business. But thank God it is changing. It's heartwarming to see the likes of Ribadu and Akunyili in action. Slowly, the Tafas and Alamiyesieghas are being phased out. The Adedi..s, Ariseko..s, and Babangi..s are yet to follow leaving the door wide open for us. We mustn't allow the mistakes of our fathers to happen again. Those of us who are educated and know what is right must begin to actively engage in wealth creation (business and investment), politics, the military and the police. If they (political miscreants and highly-placed criminals) sing a song, we'll sing two! If they march, we'll run! Whatever they do, we must and will beat them at their own game until this country is what we wish it to be.

P.S. incidentally, although PDP won in our venue with an overwhelming majority, I had voted for Chris Okotie of the JP though I was sure he had no chance of winning. Some would consider this as strange or even stupid, but I believe that if everyone would boldly follow what they believe in their hearts to be true, this nation would experience the birth of a revolution. One man can make a difference; but then even if you can't feed a hundred people, please feed just one.

PS: The party I called XYZ was actually AD.