Thread by @Papadonkee

So, my scattered thoughts on Ekiti, and democracy.

1. @kfayemi won fair and square, and should be congratulated. The election was not a clash of ideologies (both candidates stayed away from organized debates).

2. Both APC and PDP played by the same rules - votes were bought.

3. These rules were made clear to the voters, who apparently decided that the candidate manifesto was simply a measure of the price each candidate placed on a vote (N5k is the going rate these days, apparently).

4. That Nigeria is the poverty capital of the World means nothing.

5. Poorer countries (per capita) have held elections where voters where not induced financially.

6. I suspect this reflects the evolving perception of what Democratic dividends are perceived as by the electorate, and their demand is clear: Immediate financial gratification.

7. What does this portend for 2019? That money will play a huge role in determining who wins the election. To think otherwise would be naive.

8. Voter intimidation will not be a factor in 2019.

9. @inecnigeria’s integrity seems to have been saved by the cash-for-votes scheme

10. However this doesn’t necessarily suggest that @inecnigeria is able to deliver a free and fair election.

11. So is this Democracy? If democracy is defined as the will of the majority, then clearly it is.

12. Is this what’s best for our society? That’s a question for the ages

12b) As a leader do you meet people where they are, or where you want to take them? Recall Mose’s struggle with his own people, who at a point democratically chose to worship a golden calf. And were promptly brought to ruin.

13. Congrats again to Fayemi, Governor-elect of Ekiti.

14. The great thing about paying for votes is that it absolves you from the burden of actually having to do anything.

Your debt of leadership has been paid. You owe the voters nothing.

Amazing. /End