By Bisi Lawrence
This is a period of rarities. They occur in their original forms or in the variations of even familiar events. The desire to convince, the urge to prevail is so overpowering those normal limits of behaviour are ignored or forsaken. The results are sometimes bewildering. They emerge in outlandish statements from highly respectable sources and totally unexpected directions. A very unusually season.

It cannot but be thus.Very seldom has this nation found herself plunged in the depths of uncertainty about a major event in her life. And the uncertainty continues. Many of us are yet to be convinced that the election has suffered its last postponement. After the mind-boggling state of unpreparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, there are still pockets of disenchantment with the delay which the Commission has itself described as “blessing in disguise”. Even at this time, the percentage of error recorded during a mock run of the infernal card reader is hardly satisfactory. Yet, from all indications, the evident occurrence of disenfranchisement points towards the areas where those who are in favour of a roller-coaster election appear to have appreciable support.

But Professor Attahiru Jega insists on assuring us still that we have a free, fair and credible election ahead with the opener on March 28. He was not worried by the complaints of an “indigenous” Abuja group who were anxious about their Permanent Voter’s cards. The collection date has been subsequently extended again by two weeks. That makes the INEC chief somewhat incredible himself.

There are still pressure groups within the PDF openly opposed to him and his works.

In the meantime, as though enough sediment had not risen to the surface of the muddy pool, no other personality than the venerable Professor Ben Nwabueze has suddenly headed a group which is asking that only a university graduate may attempt to be the president of this country. The professor even went further to suggest the establishment of a “coalition government”—or “unity government”—which would be represented by all political parties. It is the season of the unusual—need I repeat? The legal luminary who has seldom, very seldom, been associated with frivolities, waited on the verge of a national election to advocate a constitutional change. However, he was careful not to mention the word “change”, which is said to have been proscribed by a certain lady who would need to be more patient in her dealings in the campaign to make her husband acceptable to Nigerians as their president, all over again.

She should have a host of supporters among the women, though. After all, this government has always held up a banner of “gender-inclusive” administration for the nation. It is remarkable that the only woman in the presidential race is from another party. Professor Sonaiya, being an academic, has however not been very loud on any official preference for the sake of “gender”. Whilst in favour of women’s rights and all that, the retired university teacher tends as well to be on the side of ability and proven merit, a height she has scaled with her record—which is well above the first university degree, as Professor Nwabueze would be pleased to note.

But the former head of the cultural Ohanaeze group may have been moved purely by patriotism. He undoubtedly wants the best for his country. Some strips off the acting profession also got together to present something along that way of thinking in an advertisement devised for President Goodluck Jonathan, and a more sparkling glob of drivel is hard to imagine. The production was slipshod, to say the least, and the message was drowned in a measure of obscurity that was absolutely uncalled-for. The repetitive phrase, “For The Love Of Country” was devoid of any captivating

resonance which could have created some considerable impact. The pitch of disappointment for me was attained when an accomplished thespian of no less a repute than Segun Arinze was revealed to be among the cast. It can only happen in this period.

The love of country of course goes far, far beyond such goings-on which one can only find a place in a situation of desperate promotion of causes. It rises to the level of the country’s prestige itself, especially before the world. That was what made the Moroccan rebuttal of the claim that President Jonathan had a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI of Morocco very painful.

The language was uncivil, not to say undiplomatic, and made my face burn, that Morocco could have the nerve to attempt a confrontation with Nigeria. But it is an electioneering period, and the court of Mohammed VI has a calm sea on which to sail into our harbour with any amount of insult. What impact could the Moroccan monarch have made in favour of the President, anyway? His influence as a Muslim leader is no more valuable than that of our Sultan of Sokoto but, no doubt, this is a season that leaves the actors open to blackmail of all sorts.

It even tends to happen within the country. But we must continue to love our country. A lady once referred to a baby’s face as so ugly that only her mother could love it. Maybe Attahiru Jega did fumble, maybe you disagree with those who feel only graduates should rule; maybe the Moroccans do spite us. Yet,

This na we country, we no go lie;

For inside ‘am we go live and die…

Come on now, let us all go and vote for the candidate of our choice.

Time out.