ABUJA — In case you have the plan to stay at home in the coming elections without voting, then you just got a boost because, other things than votes casted would now count in determining the winners of the election.
In order to run an all-inclusive electioneering system, where everyone, irrespective of religion, race, political belief, gender or age, prayer points have been said to also count in vote counting.
This latest development was made known by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakub, while briefing newsmen Thursday on the readiness of the Commission in Abuja, ahead of the Feb 23 polls.
Mr Mahmood expressed his optimism on the move, saying it was made to makeup for the possibility of low voters turnout.
“We are glad to inform electorates who wouldn’t want to vote but would rather pray for a good leader that their prayers have been answered,” Mahmood said.
“Let them continue praying. We are happy to tell them that, we would, henceforth, count their prayer points to determine winners of this weekend’s and subsequent elections.
“Because we don’t want anyone to be disenfranchised that is why we are considering these set of people. Let them vote with their mouths while others vote with their thumbs. It is only a matter of choice.”
Speaking with Mr Alao Abiodun, a professor of Prayersitology, on what this announcement portends, he opined that the new development would give a voice to those who don’t like to vote but wants a particular candidate to win.
He applauded the initiative without sparing the smartness of the electorate who would adopt the initiative.
“It’s a beautiful development which needs absolute commendation. The Nigerian electorates are diverse set of people; so, giving a voice to those who chose to vote with their mouths means our democracy is ripening
“As it stands, it is a plus for those who believe in ‘By God’s grace, lágbájá will win the election’ or ‘In Jesus name, tàmèdùn will win’ but would never vote. I commend the wisdom of these people. Such is rare. It is not found everywhere. May the Lord increase their wisdom
“By the time their prayer points are counted, they would have formed the largest bulk of voters the nation has. After all, prayers are what have made the great countries of the world great. I remember, I read somewhere that a nation’s praying power determines its economic prosperity.
“So I think, come Saturday, it is safe to tell those that would stay at home, praying for the best candidate to win rather than vote their preferred candidate, that the Lord has answered their prayers!
“With people like them, Nigeria would move forward, and we will not have to bother about ballot snatching or electoral malpractices. Nobody will shot too!”
Mr Alao also argued that, since Nigeria can arguably pride herself as the seat of the highest number of churches and mosques in the world, it is in the best to serve the interest of the goers to these places.
Caveat: This is a work of satire. Names or anything that has semblance with them, persons, wise or otherwise, offices, high or low, authorities, constituted or unconstituted, are as a result mixture of the author’s imagination and inspiration from Above, and any semblance of actual persons, far or near, organizations or body is the handiwork of Mr Coincidence. You have been told. Don’t say we haven’t!
