THERE are only 19 days to the last chance for voters to collect the permanent voter’s card, PVC. How many Nigerians know if they are eligible voters for the elections? It is doubtful if any Nigerian with certainty can say his name is on the list.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Tony Nnachetta has debunked claims that he was interested in contesting for the chairmanship of the state football association in an election holding later this month.

THE scandalous performance of governments, with very rare exceptions, should be one of the issues to be judged as Nigerians vote for their future,a future that exceptional incompetence has suspended in the past 16 years. It is frightening that those who failed to make positive changes in Nigeria’s affairs, are once again at the verge of hijacking it to sustain their selfish interests.

TWO ignored factors that emphasise governments’ insensitive to Nigerians – overwhelmingly unacceptable sanitary conditions and the abysmally low levels of access to medical services – have helped in the ricocheting cholera outbreaks. Contaminated water, unhygienic handling and poor food preparations are among factors that aid rapid spread of cholera. Its high mortality rate is evidenced by the number of States reporting deaths.

IF we are to judge the future of Nigeria by the promises that appear on election posters, Nigeria is about to become one of the most developed countries in the world. Candidates and their parties have managed to capture issues affecting Nigerians and listed them for solution, once they get our votes. Are we not used to politicians and their pranks? What is different from what they promised in 1999 and 16 years after?

HOW much longer would the journey of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB that began in 2000 last? The bill deals with concerns about transparent management of the oil and gas sector

ANY number of reasons could be given for the postponement of the elections billed for February 14 and 28, but none would ameliorate the disappointment of Nigerians that the numerous experiments the Independent National Electoral Commis-sion, INEC, has performed since 2011 came to such sorry conclusion. INEC never indicated it was not ready for the elections.

THE annual World Cancer Day – February 4 – is set aside by the World Health Organisation, WHO, to raise awareness on cancer, encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment, passed quietly with appropriate speeches that have been recycled over the years.

IN a serious democracy, a candidate who refuses to present himself for a major debate like the presidential debate would lose the election. Neither his reasons, nor his name would be important in the public reaching the decision on this. He would suffer the consequences of ignoring the public, and his party would be entangled in the resulting public odium his decisions would generate.

ELECTIONS are the best opportunities for Nigerians to say the worst things about their opponents. Threats and counter threats appear are also making increasing appearances in the news. Are they the selling points of candidates in the elections? We heard similar threats in the governorship elections that passed peacefully in Ekiti and Osun States last year.