By Denrele Animasaun

“But the vain man did not hear him. Vain men never hear anything but praise.” ? Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

As we hurl towards the 14th of February election, it is becoming fever pitch and almost irrepressible. You could not miss the campaign posters all around the place as several political parties jostle for positions in already saturated surfaces. There have been problems with posters and defacing of opponents’ posters and accusations flying right, left and centre. The posters are on the high streets, highways, public buildings, private buildings and overheads. There are posters pasted everywhere that even one goat seems to be enjoying eating a Buhari poster.

Things got so bad that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, threatened to sanction any candidate and individual who contravenes its guidelines on the use of election campaign materials in the state. There has been a lot of mischief going on that the police boss said nobody has the right to pull down posters, banners or billboards of any politician or political party, regardless of the party.

He said: “Anyone doing so is infringing on the rights of the people to reach the right candidates, stating that the Electoral Act 2010 as amended in section 100(2) stated inter-alia that state apparatus, including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election”. I don’t think it will put a stop to hoodlums who keep removing the posters.

So back to the posters, I believe most have missed the brief of what a political poster is supposed to convey; it should be a message and it should appeal directly to potential voters.

If you remember the Barak Obama’s “Hope” campaign poster captured the imagination of many young voters, the message was simple: Hope. Nothing more, nothing less. Of course, it also did help that he is enigmatic, erudite and engaging . The strapline was not bad either: Yes, We Can. And boy! Obama was as good as his word.

He made young people and the minorities active to develop interest in politics.

Here in the UK, we are approaching a general election in May and one of the campaign posters with Dave Cameron says: Let’s stay on the road to stronger Economy. Strapline; “More People in work. 760,000 More Businesses. The Deficit Halved”.

So, a poster should convey a message and reinforce the political message that it needs to be communicated to the electorate.

It has to decide who are their target, are they communicating to passers-by or motorists? Whatever the case, the message has to be brief and to the point along with the image representing the individual or the idea.

I have to endure for the sake of the readers, I do believe it is all for a good cause. I must tell you that I haven’t laugh that hard in ages.

Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, once a governor of Bayelsa State and former boss of GEJ, the very same who jumped bail in Britain,the very same who had been charged with money laundering. So in his poster, he is vying for the senate and it says he is “tested and trusted”. Oh, at the bottom of the poster it says” pardoned for service”. What service? Prison service or service to his greed keeping the large size of the state revenue? Make of it what you will but really should he be trusted when he has been tested he is not to be trusted. By the way, he is smiling with hand cupping his chin. There are many more of this hand chin going on as you will read later.

I have no problems with actors plying their trade but there seems to be foray of many of these thespians going into politics, many have and they did well; Ronald Reagan, president of USA, Arnold Schwarzenegger, he was a former Governor of California and Clint Eastwood,Mayor of Carmel and they did well. I am not sure that the crop of Nigerian actors are cut from the same cloth. It is evident that they are not rushing in because they are altruistic, it is because they are getting on the gravy train as they must have told them that there is money and loads of it to be had. Angela Davis once said; “What this country needs is more unemployed politicians”. That would be an improvement.

So here is the roll call of the good, the bad and the hilarious

One of the ones I like is the Buhari and Osinbanjo, it has the two of them side by side and embozzed across was” Great Men” below that was;”Great Team, Change agent. To the point and no posing.

Whoever, quality assured this poster of Jonathan did him a great disservice.

Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye popularly known as Tony Tetuila, former member of the REMEDIES. Anthony also uses his alias so I ask: will the real Anthony please stand up. He of the blonde hair and occasional blue contact lenses now wants to join the gold rush to the house of assembly. The poster was very much in your face and I suspect of good advice, he had a more sombre poster. He tells us that he is one of us then that must be true then.

Desmond Elliot also an actor and director a veteran of 200 films and a number of television shows and soap operas. Desmond Elliot, has come under fire when his poster revealed additional name; “Oluwashola”. His posters has got to be seen to be believed. I must admit he looks very dapper and he scrubs well but this is not a fashion show. And his poster tells us DOE (his initials) for the change we desire.

Not sure it is believable and he seems so to himself than the people he wants to serve. Sooner said that it is very sad that Jona does the same, when he added Ebele to his name but I have seen another poster where (he rests his chin on his hand ) he changes his middle name to Azikwe. This is a ruse to show that he has affinity with voters of certain places. So Olusola has leant the trick; that in order to garner support change your name and say it in your poster that you are one of them.

How I wish it was that easy but I guess, it seems all you have to do is to change traditional attire of the place and you become one of Us! It only took several poses, suave, sartorial elegance and an additional name so you too can be anyone you want to be! Only in Nigeria!

“9ice Abolore Adegbola Adigun Alapomeji Ajifolajifaola Akande, one of his posters it says that “ change is inevitable ! Well, he learns fast. He dons a pin stripe suit and a dickey bow tie and then in another, he sit on a very imposing chair with mismatching attire while gazing seductively in his stylises posters.

Offing Kate Henshaw is no doubt, a very beautiful woman she has brains as well. Too much make up and it seems to be about her appearance rather than the message. She is also a Nollywood actress, vying for the House of Representatives. It seems it is about being pretty and doing absolutely nothing and waits for some gullible people’s vote because you are one of them