Election season is here, and Nigerian infrastructure is nervous.
Bridges are checking their paint. Trees are praying. Electricity poles are seeking legal advice. Road medians are bracing themselves for another round of unwanted political apparel.
Soon, thousands of smiling candidates may arrive promising “A Cleaner City” while their posters cover freshly painted bridges.
The bridge sighs:
“Perhaps start with me.”
We now have radio, TV, social media, digital boards, organised billboards, town halls and house-to-house campaigns. Why must every wall, median and pole join a political party?
Worse still, some representatives become better known through posters than through meaningful engagement with the residents and constituencies they represent.
Then the election ends.
Candidates disappear, only to reappear at the next election cycle.
But their posters remain.
Perhaps the rule should be simple:
IF YOU PUT IT UP, TAKE IT DOWN.
Campaign vigorously, debate publicly and engage voters directly—but do not brutalise or deface the city in the process, nor deny citizens the right to enjoy a clean, orderly and visually appealing environment.
Most importantly, when elected, aspire to serve with competence, humility and accountability.
Be a servant-leader.
MORAL OF THE SATIRE
Democracy should be a conversation, not a wallpaper competition.
And the strongest campaign poster should ultimately be—
your record of performance.
@ 29-08-26
A GO-FORTE FOUNDATION publication.
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