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<div class=text-justify>It was few months to General elections and the atmosphere was charged with a lot of campaigns and promises. The political party in power is jostling to be re-elected to power while the opposition party is on top of his voice trying to convince the people to effect a change for the sake of collective prosperity. It is however striking to note that the opposition party left power seven years ago after ruling for four consecutive terms of four years each. As a result of this, critics were of the opinion that the destruction started not just within the last seven years.

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The inflation was high and people could hardly afford to eat twice in a day. The economy was highly dependent on importation. Successive governments over the years failed to work on the productivity strength of the country. The currency is valueless and in fact, earning it is more difficult. People are living in penury. 

![photo-1524088484081-4ca7e08e3e19.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lightpen/EowJTfD8CcLdbfQ3bEFxSByWXZ6HQYLsjRT4yCvhVSGtQ1xPqnbpBmjxtUB3jfH2WE3.jpeg)
[Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/I8gQVrDcXzY)

The education is in comatose. Out of school are in millions and those that manage to be educated are roaming the streets without jobs. Insecurity is becoming a nightmare to the extent that traveling by road is being discouraged due to the actions of terrorists and bandits - kidnapping and killings. 

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The people are living in fear of the unknown. No one knows the cost of traveling for a kilometre, it depends on the negotiation power of ones family with the kidnappers if you dare it. It was that bad.

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While the people were going through hell on earth, the political class were at variance with what the people were going through. They move around with security personnel living millions of the populace at the mercy of the terrorists. They feed on the state's resources in flying not just airplanes but first class tickets and private flying.

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The President borrow money to fund the flamboyant lifestyle of the leaders. No one cares to fight corruption and they keep on stealing whatever they lay their hands on in the State's resources. Every other challenge like economy failure or insecurity was tied to corruption. 
Everyone was tired of this problem and the awareness was on the increase. The government was using her power to gag the media. No one dare complain else you are dealt with. 

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This was the situation in this particular African country with a lot of prospect at independence which unfortunately is being killed by self-serving politicians. 

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Few months to the Presidential elections, majority of the radio and television stations were receiving guests to discuss the possible expectations in the election and also to advise the voters against selling their votes. 

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It was on this premise that a radio station, Life FM invited Comrade John to an interview programme, "democracy today". He was invited to be interviewed about some issues that may be of help to the electorates in making better choices.

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![photo-1581368129682-e2d66324045b.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lightpen/EowG2LhsNw5aj2sTVqExkhaJBAC7grQpXeuPAu6qBGYCrrZTCAVDVqTgJF8SyV1wMYr.jpeg)
[Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/tkXJoA_sn78)

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Immediately after introduction of the guest by the presenter, the first question was thrown at Comrade John. 

>We are going to the poll to elect our President and other executive positions in few weeks, what is your take about the journey of our democracy so far? Are we making progress?

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In his response, Comrade John saw this as an opportunity to register his displeasure about the attitude of the leading class that have subjected the people to a pitiable situation. 

>Thank you for that question. In my opinion, this country is not moving at the pace we are supposed to. In fact, I don't see progress. If you look into the eyes of the people, all you see is suffering. People are dying for lack of access to hospitals. More than 80% of the my fellow countrymen and women are living on less than a dollar a day. The leaders killed everything they met - from education to industries. We were exporting many products in the 1980s but today, all the industries are moribund. We are now importing virtually everything we use in this country. Is that a progress? John asked rhetorically.

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While the presenter was trying to make a comment, John cuts in;

>I am not through. What I talked about earlier are signs of a failing State. The President have his children studying abroad and also those of his cabinet members while our Universities are under lock and keys due to industrial actions by the teachers. The President goes for medical checkup in advanced countries while back home, what you have is a dead healthcare system. All these are being funded by reckless borrowing. The debt that this country is into now will take the next 100 years before we can pay back. In an ideal setting, you borrow to fund developmental strides but unfortunately, ours is for embezzlement. We are in a sinkhole of failure as a state.

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The presenter asked of his advice to the electorates going by what he had talked about. 

>The ruling party has failed. The main opposition party failed during their time too. In fact the foundation for the present failure were laid by them when they were in power. I advise the electorates to go for a third force. I think we have a third party on the ballot with a younger candidate. The youths should resist the moneybags and go for credibility. We haven't sink far in the hole but we are going fast, we need a rescuer.

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The conversation continued with few more questions on the conduct of the elections. John advised people to reject selling their votes. The programme was rounded up by some questions and answers session from the listeners who phoned in. 

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Unknown to the presenter and his guest, the programme was being monitored by agents of the government. Before rounding up the programme, the station was surrounded by gun weilding security personnel. 

![photo-1550000472-ed8dbdc1a1b6.jpeg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/lightpen/Eo6BhLhGXENoDuo84e6YnvfDNEthUzg82FxXXRVcb6DzfXpJFFvVLuc1L3sdsbVdbir.jpeg)
[Source](https://unsplash.com/photos/fGq8RpGlekM)

They arrested John immediately and whisked him away. Few minutes later, the presenter was summoned by the State security services. 

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The government didn't take the criticism of John in good fate. 

>Who gave you the impetus to insult this country in that manner?

A security personnel asked him as he was being interviewed. 

>I didn't insult the country. I only talked about my observation and it's within my freedom of information to do so. I haven't offended the State. He replied

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He was thereafter manhandled and locked up in the cell for weeks without trial. 
It took the intervention of Barrister Lam, who challenged the arrest in court and secured victory to get John released from detention. 
This singular action of government gave rise to spontaneous protest among the people. 

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Like John advised, the people supported the third force to win the election. Things were beginning to take gradual shape few months after the new President was sworn in.</div>