By Isyaku Ibrahim
Some Elders of discern hearts and minds say nothing is impractical
This is certainly right in view of what the word means Just last week, a story trended over media outlets that eligible convicts across correctional centres countrywide will be accorded the right from now on to cast votes during election period in view of their status as full fledged citizens of the country
The plan if it becomes practical is something to cheer home about going by how they were denied such right to vote leaders of their choice in the past on the light excuse that they were incarcerated
This is not experienced in other climes particularly the developed world which to some extent we say we are emulating
But to say the fact this is just a pie in the sky as it is not what inmates across correctional centres saving various prison terms are highly in need of but rather conducive atmosphere where they would spend their jail term
It was highly disgusting lamentable and condemnable how inmates were living in a shabby and dejected condition for years
Pragmatically, correctional centres in this country unlike in other climes that are places that one could learn how best to change to a new leaf here the opposite is the case as they are camps of hardened criminal where one will go and be indoctrinated with fresh tricks
To say the least such centres were congested as convicts could easily contract diseases including Gonorrhoea, Asthma, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis beside that no portable drinking
water , no electricity likewise enough food and host of other basic necessities of live
This is what the Government should accord priority in improving not giving them the right to cast their votes although some may think doing so will accord politicians the right to inflate votes during election as it is a hidden place but this could not be substantiated
Profoundly , what concerned citizenry needs to hear from the Government on the matter is boosting their wellbeing as bonafide citizenry not beating about the bush
Enfranchising them is nothing to write home about when their lots were not enhance
Thus I would not be mistaken if I say the right to vote to be permitted eligible convicts was a misplaced priority
