The Art of Indifference: Apathy and Politics in Nigeria

Right from the onset, it is a heavy responsibility laid upon man by nature in take part in politics. Though, while some people engage in partisan politics to define their position in society, struggle for power, scarce resources, and other life-supporting chances others do not but is worthy to know that even the art of family planning and decision are among the minute form of politics. Engaging in campaigns, and registration of party member voters is not an activity left for a for few, it is an enterprise open to all which springs up from the fact that Nigeria practices a democratic system of government. However, this notwithstanding, there are some people who have misconceived election Electioneering is the active and energetic participation in a campaign in order to be elected into a public office. It has two senses; firstly, it involves the persuasion of voters in a political campaign organized by the party members who show an optimistic desire to win the election and the campaign of a candidate to be elected. It could also be the use of literal skill and other tools available to man to influence an election. It involves public speaking, solicitation of votes, and working for the success of a candidate or of a party in an election. It could be done by the candidate or by the party members.

INDIFFERENCE

Indifference is a 'psychological condition' in which one shows a lack of interest and a carefree attitude towards actions and events happening around himher. People who are indifferent can be seen as cold, aloof, disinterested, unmotivated, and lacking in passion. It has no age range attached to it.

RATIONALE BEHIND ELECTORAL INDIFFERENCE CAREFREE ATTITUDE ON THE PART OF THE ELECTORATE

Following the 'stoics metaphysical' view that nothing happens by chance before such a caring attitude will be displayed by the vast majority of nigericin citizens, there must be a cause which may not be visible to all, but it must be caused by something. Political apathy did not be just begin it was as a result of long protracted dissatisfaction and betrayal of trust from those elected to represent a given tribe or community. However, there are other factors which cause this, but there are embedded in the major factors discussed above.

BAD GOVERNMENT:

This factor to an extent could be termed the umbrella for all the above it includes embezzlement of public funds, bribery, corruption, ghost payroll, inflation, paying of vouchers for the project undone, partiality on the part of the executive and the judiciary, etc. When the system is being messed up by those whose special mandate has being given to manage its fairs, it becomes a problem because such government can longer function effectively let alone of abiding by the constitution. Therefore, the citizen having observed that there is no difference between a tyrant government and a democratic government which Nigeria claims to be practicing, eventually develop the habit of apathy since after engaging in political activity the result will be unfavorable to them especially the minority that feels that their tribe is always neglected.

TRIBALISM, FAVORITISM AND NEPOTISM:

It is one of the features of a bad government. Favoring a particular tribe continuously, employing national workers based on internal personal relationships instead of by merit, etc. has done more harm than good, the result of such practice it that unqualified personnel is employed into public offices, and the continuous practice of this, leads to unemployment which ends with abject poverty. Thus, people have felt that their identity is denied during employment and sharing of other life-supporting chances, out of necessity develops apathy.

UNHEALTHY COMPETITION TERMINATION OF POLITICAL OPPONENT BY ALL MEANS:

There is unhealthy competition in the system, it which could be between tribes, religious groups, or intrapersonal interpersonal, and each party is limited by its capacity as they believe in zero-sum. Politicians are ready to eliminate anyone who may be perceived to be a blockage towards the actualization of their political quest. The effect of this is a high in mortality rate and this makes people to shy away from electioneering having seen it as a do-or-die affair.

ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE:

This factor is the last straw that broke the camel's back. It involves stealing of ballot boxes, unfulfilled manifestoes promise before the election, rigging of the election result, voting before time, falsification of registered voters, and fighting at the polling station with heavy weapon scares people away during the election, additionally, it increases apathy already built up.

THE HARM OF INDIFFERENCE

It is quite obvious that participation is far much better than apathy. One of the major harms of indifference is the continuous enthronement of incompetent government which leads to an increase in political, and social economic crisis, anarchy, chaos, and doom. Nigerians clamor for change yet sees electioneering as a dirty game. Though such a notion could be right, but the desired change cannot be gotten through apathy.

Another disadvantage of this is that it produces demagogues who live according to the Machiavellian dictum 'the end justifies the means' to be at the helm of affairs of the state, and with such people in power, there is bound to be interpersonal, tribal ethnic conflict, abuse of fundamental human right. It brings about underdevelopment because, capable individuals who should be at the helm of affairs have suddenly become indifferent to politics, thus leaving it for the few whom they consider to be bad, and when such become the case, the few uses this opportunity to become rich at all cost through embezzling of fund for project and other rural allocation which makes life unbearable.

Also, political apathy depicts failure on the part of the citizens to exercise their civic responsibility as bonafide citizens of the country. Therefore, anyone who shows a lack of interest to the electioneering process is indirectly breaching the law.

THE WAY FORWARD

Borrowing from J.F Kennedy the one-time president of the USA, who posited that 'will should ask not what the country will do for us, but what can we do for the country' it is on this note that Nigerians should not ask for what they will obtain from the state, but what they will do to move the state forward, and one way of responding to this dictum is through political participation. Therefore, political apathy should be discouraged, the citizen should be conscientize to know that it is their civic right to vote and voted, they should abstain from all forms of electoral malpractice and the elected should represent those electorate very well, and not to seek for their personal gain.

EVALUATION CONCLUSION

Having critically examined the harm of indifference towards electioneering, in order to help increase the level of popular participation, the first place of socialization which is the family has an important role to play in the development of any community, nation, or state, thus at this grass root level parents guardian should inculcate in their ward the need for participation in community affairs, especially with regard to politics.

Politics should not be seen as a dirty game or a struggle where one uses all in higher possession to eliminate his opponent, leaders should rule according to the details of the law, and there should be an even distribution of resources and power. People of impeccable character should be elected thus; statesmen should be elected not to demagogue in order to create a just society free from political indifference. Therefore, as we approach the next general election, the masses should indulge in politics intelligently and responsibly bearing in mind that indifference will cause more harm than participation in politics and that atlas the political decision taken by those at authority affects the citizen whether they take part or not. oral activities of Nigeria, and as a result of this, have vowed never to indulge in such activity which they consider dirty. Thus, such people have failed in the discharge of their civic responsibility. It is on this note, that this write-up will try as much as possible to give an in-depth understanding into the meaning of electioneering and the possible effect which may emanate from indifference towards the political electioneering process of the country.