By Francis Sadhere
Elder Edward Nikagbatse Oki, the National Coordinator of Friendship Is Peace International (FIPI), a worldwide initiative seeking to promote peace and friendship among humanity, has said that the strength of the ‘common man’ in politics remains in the ballot box.
Addressing newsmen in Warri, Elder Oki lamented that this strength owned by the people is yet to be utilized to put politicians on their toes, calling for the education of the common man so as to let him know about this strength.
He noted that the Nigerian masses have over the years failed to use their political power, but rather prefer to fight themselves over ‘leaders’ who are only interested in self-aggrandisement.
He said, “The common man showed their inability to recognize the power of the ballot. They decided to dance to the tune of their egocentric leaders who after failing they drummed the drum for the common man to be disorientated and made to fight among themselves.”
He said the only way the country will experience peace is when the common man in the streets knows the enormous power they have in the ballot box.
He identified education of the ‘common man’ on the strength in having one Nigeria, as key to tackling insecurity challenges facing the nation.
While calling for a bloodless revolution through the ballot box system, Oki said, “the politicians of the first republic laid the foundation of our crisis. Everybody opted for Nigeria. We can solve the security problem of Nigeria through friendship, individually.
Elder Oki, while officially presenting the FIPI and Nigerianism calendars to the public, also stressed that the several calls for restructuring may not provide the much needed solution to Nigeria’s travails.
“I am appealing to Nigerians, the common man, that even though there are forces who want to disintegrate us, this is your only country. Restructure Nigeria in anyway you want, the common man will still suffer,” He said.
Secretary of the initiative, Mr. Michael Ogoru, further explained that political education for the common man to know his rights, will go a long way to curbing most of the issues, including the problem of “stomach infrastructure” and grooming elites “who wants to be winner takes it all,”
FIPI’s resource personnel, Edegor Eranvor, however reiterated the call for reorientation, this will enable the ‘common man’ realize that he has the ultimate power to decide the fate of the politicians through the ballot box.
“We should appreciate the element of relationships. Friendship will establish peace and peace will establish friendship. The common man will then realize they don’t need the bourgeoisie to dictate to them. That is the role, FIPI, through its auxiliary organs Nigerianism and Time for Ballot Box/ Common Man Revolution, is urging all,” Eranvor said.
