Two Nigerian Stories

Nigeria, Nature and Power

3 men, an American, a Nigerian and a Japanese were discussing how their countries suffer from nature’s inclemency.

The Japanese lamented, "earthquakes portend a great danger to my nation's infrastructures. Buildings collapse and electric installations suffer damage. My nation is also prone to tsunamis and a couple of years ago it affected greatly our nuclear source of power".

Said the American, "cyclones are a major concern where I come from. So also are forest fires which destroy properties worth millions and kill innumerable wildlife".

The Nigerian shook his head. Wore a very pitiable expression and said with great sadness, "you know, each time it rains in my country, there's power outage for days after. Each time!"

Whose Vote Is Lost?

Two Nigerians, A and B, voted in an election. A voted for Candidate W, a well-known candidate who has held multiple offices in the past. This candidate contested on the platform of one of the two biggest parties in the country. His not-so-enviable records in previously held posts are open secrets.

The other Nigerian, B, voted for Candidate L, a lesser known candidate. This lesser known candidate is contesting on the platform of an even lesser known party. Although, this candidate is charismatic and well-spoken, he has not held a political office before. However his reputation as a competent technocrat is solid.

After the election, results were announced and candidate W won. Nigerian A was jubilant and he jeered at Nigerian B. "See how you've lost your vote", he said mockingly.

Two years into his tenure in office, candidate W is living up to his notorious reputation. He has delivered next to nothing on his campaign promises. Nigerian A who voted him is as much a victim of his dismal performance as Nigerian B, who didn't.

Speculations have begun ahead of the next election season and Nigerian A is asking Nigerian B "this coming election, are you going to waste your vote again?" Nigerian B just ignored him and went about his business.

But, of these two, whose vote is really lost?