by Tobe Osigwe
While still trying to fathom why heaven should be issuing conflicting directives, the body language of the Catholic leadership in Anambra state began to suffice; that Peter Obi’s self imposed surrogate, Willy Obiano, is the anointed choice.
I have been in the dusty town of Nnewi for the past few weeks, I can unequivocally state without mincing words that the atmosphere is rife with campaign, the walls of our houses have been flagrantly defaced with super-imposed posters of artificially smiling candidates, large billboards of these political demi-gods are dotting all over the town with promises which Nebuchadnezzar in all his glory and splendor might find herculean to fulfill. Three out of every ten sane person walking in the street is either wearing the polo, Ankara or fez cap of one of their preferred candidates. Brand new buses and cars emblazoned with customized colour of different political parties with mounted speakers singing beautiful epic tune of these political Caesars are common features on the road. All the upcoming, old coming and the never coming gospel and secular musicians in Anambra and beyond have sang their lungs out in praise of all the major candidates.
If you think this is a worrisome development then I put it to you that you must be a returnee to Nigeria or perhaps someone who must have witnessed election in a saner or more civilized clime. I for one have not witnessed a gubernatorial election in a saner clime outside Nigeria, therefore, it is an uphill task for me to determine the rightness or wrongness of what am observing. However, I have this feeling from by conscience that the goat is not properly tethered. Be that as it may, my feeling has been made worse by the different divine instructions coming from several religious quarters on who we should vote or should I say, who GOD in his clairvoyant wisdom has instructed us to vote for.
It is an open secret that Nigerians are religious people and their religious disposition is always brought in even in the simplest matters of life that requires ordinary common sense. Thus, the words of religious leaders are more revered and sacred than the Holy Writ in this side of the world. I can not say for sure the origin of this development, but I have this strong belief that it stemmed from our traditional African religion: where the priests of the gods are seen as the mouth piece and unquestionable oracle whose utterances should be believed hook, line and sinker or face damnation. The words of a Pastor, Imam, Bishop, Apostle, Evangelist or even an ordinary self styled professional prayer warrior in Nigeria are akin to the words of Moses of old to the Israelites or Saint Paul to the Gentiles. Yes, it is that sacred. If you understand the depth of this, you will understand the dilemma, I- and I believe some Anambra indigenes- have found themselves in.
Most of you do not know my mum, well; she is a self acclaimed Evangelist with not too many a follower. The first thing she told me upon my return to Nnewi is that, she has received a divine instruction that the short bearded Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, the All Progressive Congress, Flag bearer in the forthcoming November 16 election is the one to vote for. While I was contemplating why GOD should issue such instruction, I received another directive from a cousin of mine that the Anglican Bishop has mandated that; the unfazed overnight money spender, Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah(I am always weary about people that bear the name Patrick, there is always something tricky about them), is the one to vote for. While still trying to fathom why heaven should be issuing conflicting directives, the body language of the Catholic leadership in Anambra state began to suffice; that Peter Obi’s self imposed surrogate, Willy Obiano, is the anointed choice. The final straw of confusion was struck on my poor head, when the aged women of Abagana proclaimed last week that the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye, is the man separated by GOD to lead Anambra state.
My confusion is simmering and at its brink of implosion. I am confused on why GOD should give we mortals power of choice and then turn around to truncate our liberty in expressing such power. I am confused because as a bible student, I have read somewhere that GOD is not an author of confusion. I am confused because as a practicing Christian whose duty is to do the will of His father, I am at a conjunction of conflicting divine directives not knowing who amongst these divine candidates who is the real Moses sent to take us to our supposed promise land. But I am more confused that those who would have cleared my confusion have succeeded in making my confusion a fatal dilemma. Now, I am the precipice of disobeying the voice of GOD either way I turn.
To this end, even if I decide to disobey these divine oracles, how will I decipher the right person amidst these smiling faces I see on posters? How will I know the person that will lessen our burden as a people by seeing the importance of giving our children quality education and the whole state durable roads? How will I see beyond their outward magic and see the genuineness of their heart? How will I know the man that Solomon talked about; “when the righteous is in power, the people will rejoice”? Now, I am like John the Baptist asking; Lord is our Messiah among these lots or should we wait for 2018?
N:B, GOD please do not answer the afore questions through your oracles. Speak to the heart of Ndi Anambra direct today.
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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.
