There is this popular saying that some people never get tired of. You know why? Because of the genuine and neutrality it affirms to. “There are always two sides in a every coin” and that’s exactly what it is when we want to speak or talk about the popular TV show in Nigeria popularly known with the name BBNaija.
Well, before you murder me, I would advise you to hold your horses and read up. Before that, I would love to clear things up by saying that I do not write as a fan either do I write as an anti BBNaija. For the fact that there’s always two sides to a coin, I have decided to write on the lessons of the TV show with an open mind and a clear understanding of what is right and what isn’t.
For the record, Big Brother Naija formerly called Big Brother Nigeria is a Nigerian reality competition television series that started in the year 2006, with the first season. Till date, it has been a total of five seasons. With the last season ending last week.
If truth be told, left for many religious fanatics, the Big Brother Naija show should be banned because it’s satanic, encourages immoral behaviors and what not. They emphasize on the nudity, sexual adventures and free blue sceneries displayed in this show. But then, what would a show as popular as the Big Brother Naija gain if there are no sort of controversies in it.
These controversies and propagandas are the bait that keeps the show moving further by having lots of social media engagements and in turn keeps the show more entertaining and fun as it’s meant to.
But, then like we mentioned earlier, what exactly could we learn from the Big Brother Naija show. It’s not always about Entertainment and fun some times we should apply reflective references too.
The very first thing is the voting system. Don’t be surprised yet. One amazing thing about the BBNaija TV show which a lot of us who do not find interest in the show wouldn’t know about is the transparency in the voting system of the show. This show has a systematic voting system that ensures that every vote counts thereby creating a force and a supportive field for the participants and their fans.
Isn’t it obvious yet, that for the past fourteen years, no single voice has been raised either as a rumor or a gossip or otherwise to query the voting of the show. Now, comparing this with Nigeria’s voting system the reverse is quiet the case. The Independent National Electoral Commission have always been known to represent “wuru-wuru” voting doing elections, be it in the Federal level or even in the States and the Local Government levels.
The BBNaija have recorded years of no rigging and that simple act has created an atmosphere of trust and systematically driven mistrust out of the way to ensure maximum participation throughout the country.
Now, speaking of political apathy which is common among youths in the country. The rugged system of politics have turned the table sour and to even think that we practice democracy whereas indirectly the unstable voting system has made political engagements low. The very fact that one’s vote wouldn’t count, the very fact that we would withness a large support of one party just to have the news say otherwise is a depressing act on the part of the participants.
The maximum and active participation youths and other people of different ages showcase in BBNaija TV show is crystal clear because of the fair voting system. It’s also a sign that majority of Nigerian are willing and ever ready to shake off from the rags of political apathy if and only if a credible and trusted system of election would be introduced in the country.
In recent times, Nigerians have experience mini wars, violence and threats during election period and in turn, as years goes by, there is usually a rise in political apathy in the country. While a lot of people that benefit form this crises keeps enjoying the process, lots of Nigerians are in agony because they seem to have no right to demonstrate the so called democracy.
If most populated countries could use an alternative electronic voting system to ensure accuracy, speed and transparency then whatever that stops Nigeria from doing that should be worse than the World War.
Think about this, if Nigerians could team up to vote massively for their favorite candidate (who in most cases, they are not related to) in a silly TV show what do you think will stop them from voting (primarily making a major decision that is for the betterment of the country) during elections.
If the present Buhari government would consider introducing the electronic voting here in Nigeria, I strongly believe that it would surely curb off political apathy among Nigerians. It would equally guarantee a free and fair election. At the same time, it would elevate the denial of the human rights of the people to actively participate in the democracy system of the Nigerian Government.
