BY EDITOR
25th October 2015.
And, our man Goodluck, if we may take the liberty to address him thus fondly, carries on his shoulders the weight of the whole continent, some of whose leaders still remain unwilling to let go.
For us, in particular, his presence may also be asking one cold question: you’re not going to let me down, brothers and sisters, are you?
Again, few among our visiting dignitaries would share Mr Jonathan’s joy of walking across the continent, not just a free Nigerian citizen, but also a world statesman worth his weight in gold.
We pray that our own leaders, particularly those asking us to give them leave to govern us, will pick a lesson from Mr Jonathan’s humility.
If the litany of campaign pledges were any measure of contrite hearts, we’re seeing pretty little of that from across the entire spectrum; candidates from both the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the ‘rainbow’ opposition seem hell-bent on promising the impossible.
That’s politics, they say, but it’s the poor who will ultimately foot the bill, especially when they have had to pay for the cost of past unmet promises.
Such promises aren’t new, and they’re not being made by newcomers to the Tanzanian element. In fact, some even dare say the opposition coalition itself is the reincarnation of the ruling party - CCM B - in the language of the skeptics.
The way the people all over the country, people of various ideological hues, thronged campaign rallies with the hunger to hear out the presidential candidates churn out endless promises on what they will do when they make it to State House speaks volumes about everyone of us takes this year’s election this time around.
Even the youth, who, in past elections usually found an excuse mostly lame - not to take the trouble to go to vote, this year have shown all the indications that they will be in the front line to the ballot box.
They have finally realized the power and worth of the vote in determining their own future and the country’s destiny.
Calls for ‘guarding’ the cast vote, which was ultimately decided on Friday in the confines of the courtroom, is testimony to how the people are not ready to see anyone temper with their choice or negate their expressed will on the poll paper, as had sometimes been done in past elections.
Dishing out of poll promises is one thing and fulfilling them is something entirely different. But our politicians must have noted during their campaign rallies that the electorate this time around are another species altogether.
Luckily, there is hope. Calls for change seem to have roused even the ponderous ruling oligarchy from deep slumber.
If slogans were ‘patentable’ the fiery Dr John Pombe Magufuli, who on occasion shouted himself hoarse with the M4C mantra of the opposition, would be in for real trouble.
But again, that’s politics, they say.
Even then, if we could also ask again where does that leave our voters?
Only time - and our votes - will tell. Please vote wisely and peacefully.
For, come tomorrow, you will already be living under the shadows of a new administration led by the man you’re voting for today.
In whatever you are doing today and the following days prior to announcement of election results, put Tanzania ahead of everything. Politics should not leave this country fragmented.
Good luck to you all and God bless Tanzania.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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