Edo Election: Your Life Matters More Than These Politicians – Don’t Be Their Protest Pawn, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

In the murky waters of Edo’s political landscape, a harsh reality confronts the citizens: democracy in Nigeria has become a theater of absurdity. Politicians on all sides, drowning in corruption, self-interest, and utter disregard for the rule of law, dominate the stage. The Edo governorship election, like many others, reveals the pervasive rot in the system—a decay that erodes governance and spits in the face of the electorate. Once again, the people are expected to be mere puppets, performing their roles in exchange for meager handouts, while their lives and futures are treated as collateral damage in the power-hungry games of the elite.

But here’s a brutal truth, one that should burn into the consciousness of every Edo citizen: your life means nothing to these politicians. They will not hesitate to sacrifice your well-being for their selfish ends. Both sides of the political divide—the so-called “opposition” and the ruling class—are complicit in this grand scheme of deception. They are united in one fundamental goal: maintaining their grip on power, no matter the cost. And that cost, tragically, is often your blood, safety, and dignity.

The electoral process is a façade, a staged spectacle designed to legitimize a corrupt system. The police, EFCC, and even the military make a show of “cracking down” on electoral malpractices, but these efforts are as hollow as the promises of the very politicians pulling the strings. Vote-buying, intimidation, and violence continue unabated—not because law enforcement is powerless, but because the system is rigged to protect those in power. Arrests may be made, small players paraded in the media, but the true masterminds remain shielded by the very institutions meant to hold them accountable.

Edo Lites, take a hard look at these politicians. They are the same breed, indifferent to your suffering. There is no noble cause on either side of this election. Whether it’s the PDP crying foul or the APC celebrating victory, it’s all part of a well-rehearsed script where you, the average voter, are just a pawn. These elections are not about democracy; they’re about power, control, and self-interest, maintained by a privileged few who weaponize poverty, ignorance, and violence to stay in control.

Consider the vote-buying, thuggery, and election rigging—none of this is new. It’s how politics operates in Nigeria, where the concept of a “free and fair election” is a cruel joke. Thugs, hired by politicians, disrupt polling stations, intimidate voters, and rig results while party agents openly distribute cash to buy votes. The authorities, complicit or powerless, look the other way. Even the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), designed to ensure transparency, is easily bypassed, and INEC officials are either coerced or bribed into submission.

More alarming still is that protesting will not change this reality. Protests in Nigeria are not just ineffective—they’re dangerous. The #EndSARS protests of 2020, where brave Nigerians stood against police brutality, ended in tragedy. Blood was spilled, yet the forces of corruption and oppression remained firmly in control. The Nigerian state has mastered the art of crushing dissent, using the police, military, and judiciary as tools of repression. To protest in this environment is to walk into a deathtrap—a trap that will leave you beaten, imprisoned, or worse.

Ask yourself: where are the children of these politicians? Where are the sons and daughters of those who incite violence, pay thugs, and bribe officials? They are comfortably abroad, enjoying the ill-gotten wealth of their parents, far removed from the chaos and bloodshed that consumes Edo State during elections. They will not be the ones lying in pools of blood on the streets of Benin City. That fate is reserved for the poor, the disenfranchised, the ordinary people manipulated into fighting battles that aren’t theirs.

This is the grim reality every Edo Lite must face: protesting, fighting, or even voting in these elections does nothing to change the system. The outcome has already been determined behind closed doors, in smoke-filled rooms where power is traded like currency. The politicians may publicly squabble, accuse each other of corruption, and cry foul when results don’t go their way, but behind the scenes, they’re all playing the same game. A game where you are nothing more than disposable pieces on the board.

Protect yourselves, Edo Lites. In a system that crushes the weak and protects the powerful, your only real act of resistance is survival. Don’t risk your life for politicians who see you as nothing more than a means to an end. The streets of Edo are not worth dying for. The system won’t change through protest, and the ballot box, as it stands, is a tool of manipulation, not democracy.

Remember, these politicians will never use their children as thugs or protesters. They will never send their sons and daughters into the streets to fight their battles. They will never let their families bear the consequences of their dirty political games. Instead, they use you—the vulnerable, the desperate, the hungry. They wave money in front of you, hoping poverty and hunger will blind you to the truth. But ask yourself: would they ever send their own children into the streets to fight for them? No. Their children are safe, far away, studying in elite schools abroad, while you are left to bear the brunt of their greed and corruption.

Don’t let them exploit your struggles. Don’t be fooled by their empty promises or manipulated into their chaos. Protesting on their behalf will only lead to harm—to you, not them. They will emerge from the chaos unscathed, while the blood of the common man stains the streets.

They have the money, the power, and the connections. They control the police, the military, the judiciary, and the media. They will not hesitate to use every tool at their disposal to silence you. The system is stacked against you, and protesting will only feed into their traps.

Think back to the #EndSARS protests—young Nigerians, filled with hope, were gunned down, while the politicians stayed silent, indifferent to their deaths. Where were their children? Nowhere near the violence. This is the Nigeria we live in—one where the rich and powerful use you, then discard you.

Edo Lites, your life matters more than these politicians. Choose survival over sacrifice. Refuse to fight their battles. Your life, your future, is worth far more than their ambition. Someday, Nigeria will rise from the ashes of corruption and achieve true democracy. But until then, do not sacrifice yourself for monsters who have turned democracy into a blood sport.

As a psychologist and a native of Edo State, I remain deeply concerned about the impact of the Edo State governorship election on the mental health and well-being of the citizens. The pervasive corruption, lack of adherence to the rule of law, and the blatant disregard for democratic principles by politicians on both sides are not only alarming but also detrimental to the psychological state of the populace.

The constant exposure to electoral malpractices, such as vote buying, thuggery, and intimidation, erodes public trust in democratic institutions and fosters a sense of helplessness and disillusionment among the people. This environment of mistrust and cynicism can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and a pervasive sense of injustice.

It is crucial for Edo lites to recognize the psychological toll that engaging with these corrupt and anti-rule of law practices can take on their mental health. The risk of physical harm, coupled with the emotional strain of witnessing the erosion of democratic values, is simply too great. It is not worth risking your lives for politicians who show no regard for the well-being of the people or the sanctity of the electoral process.

Instead, I urge Edo lites to prioritize their mental and physical safety. Protecting oneself and one’s family from the toxic influence of these political machinations is paramount. It is essential to create a supportive environment where individuals can express their concerns and fears without fear of retribution.

In times of such political turmoil, it is important to seek solace in community and to engage in constructive dialogue about the future of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole. By focusing on resilience and self-care, Edo lites can navigate these challenging times with their dignity and mental health intact.

Remember, your lives are precious and should not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. The true act of resistance is to protect yourselves and to nurture a sense of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, the brutal reality is that the Edo State governorship election has laid bare the rotten core of Nigerian politics. The psychological scars inflicted by the corruption, violence, and disregard for democratic norms are deep and lasting. Edo lites must understand that their lives are worth more than the hollow promises and dirty games played by these politicians. The fight for justice and democracy is vital, but it must be waged with wisdom and self-preservation at the forefront. The time has come to shield ourselves from the toxic fallout of this election and to rebuild our collective spirit, one step at a time.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at Weldios University, Nexus International University, and Walden University.