English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
ON GRAMMAR AND ELECTION
The ~electorates~ have the power to determine who governs them (nonstandard).
The electorate have all the power to determine who governs them (standard).
There were 5 ~candidates~ from APC before that young lady emerged (nonstandard).
There were 5 aspirants from APC before that young lady emerged (standard). Note that those who indicate interest to contest an office at party level are called aspirants, and the person who eventually becomes the party’s standard-bearer in the election is the candidate.
Many politicians ~decamp~ when election is approaching (nonstandard).
Many politicians ~cross-carpet~ when election is approaching (nonstandard).
Many politicians defect when election is approaching (standard).
Nigerians should know that they don’t have to ~contest for~ a post to make impact (nonstandard).
Nigerians should know that they don’t have to contest a post to make impact (standard).
GAB
