Since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigerian political leaders have been occupied with the manipulation of both the people and the system. The result is that the nation is now practicing convoluted democracy in which political dissent is criminalized.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct governorship elections in 2 states – Edo and Ondo before the end of the year. The Commission has already announced the dates of the elections with Edo taking the lead on September 10 while the Ondo contest is slated for November 28.

The word, “continuity” seems to be central to the campaigns of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state. From the way the word has been severally bandied around of recent by leaders, officials and members of the party, the latter are no doubt convinced that the out-going governor, Adams Oshiomhole who belongs to their party has done well and as such should be succeeded by another APC man. What does not appear to occur to the party is that there are so many things that have happened in the state that many citizens never wished for and never expected.

Electioneering campaigns for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo state have taken off in earnest and as usual it is the two major political parties, the ruling all Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that would slug it out among themselves.

In the last few months, the story that many of our states are unviable and therefore unable to meet basic needs of their people such as payment of workers’ salaries has taken a firm root in everyone’s sub-consciousness. The reason for it is not only because it true but more because it has been repeatedly said even at the highest quarters. There is the hypothesis that states are unable to generate revenue because our people don’t like to pay taxes.