The polity is getting unnecessarily heated for pecuniary interests by those so desperate to lead others despite paucity of robust ideas on how to proffer solutions to our heap of problems. Majority of those on the political turf combing the nooks and crannies of Nigeria making contacts and asking for support, are not the desirables for trust with power but mere merchants in search of capital. Only but few of the lot deserve public trust.
It is unfortunate that the same politicians that always peddle parochial and unrefined lies to gullible electorates at every election cycle are not only at it but also aiming at continuing with the messing up of Nigeria through the misuse of political offices. Nevertheless, we, all, must persistently interrogate them and the system at this critical period in our political journey, to realize the best for the generality even as we are restating, here, that we have not relinquished our strongly held conviction that “……..nothing will take us unaware, anymore, in this country…….anything and everything is possible, and should be expected, in today‟s Nigeria….”
While we do not want to sound like a broken record concerning the ongoing countrywide intensive looting of public wealth, it is really difficult not to talk about it. Today, the amount stolen from the public till is unquantifiable and „legitimated‟ through boldface roguery! People are now either frustrated or struggling to join the „winning team‟; the politicians and „thieving‟ servants in government ministries, departments and agencies. This is a time when doubt is rife regarding the possibility of getting leaders that can reverse this disastrous trend! So, hope of solving this challenge is diminishing! Why allow this hopeless scenario to flourish?
I will hate to mention particular names not to be accused of being a „megaphone‟ for other dyed in the wool politicians presently pretending to be in „politics‟. Where were they before now?
As we journey towards general elections, we are still asking for the difference between six and half a dozen regarding these shameless public servants that dragged hardship to the doorsteps of the electorates! We are aware that many of the so-called leaders we have parading themselves on our streets are symptoms of a long-standing deeper societal malaise! This is the main reason why I hardly criticize individuals but the system in its entirety.
The kernel of this intervention is to contribute to narratives that will elevate favorable discussions and responsible arguments in setting agenda for those jostling for attention and votes to lead, politically at every level in Nigeria. Once wrong people are recruited, getting the job done becomes very difficult, if not impossible! Closely tied to the foregoing is to add to the increasing clamor for a
„real‟ people‟s constitution as against the militarily imposed one that has enabled and fortified the criminal capabilities for internal colonization of Nigerians by same Nigerians trusted with power! Except those that gladly agreed to be made slaves or serfs in Nigeria; we are neither from my thinking!
Consequently, neo-colonialism through this type of „colonialism‟ must be stopped! This can be achieved if and when the people are collectively able to recruit leaders who do not think they are doing their people a favor by being in public offices! At this point, I must throw an appreciative salute to few of those in public offices who have conscience and ever ready to serve with passion that I had the privilege of interaction with and rated their performance with pride that include; serving Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Muhammed, the immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed A. Abubakar SAN, Sen. Abdul Ahmed Ningi (Bauchi Central), Sen. Shehu Buba Umar (Bauchi South) Muhammed Garba Gololo (former representative for Gamawa federal constituency), Ahmed Idris Wase (former Deputy Speaker 9th House of Representatives), Yusufu Babayo Gagdi (Representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam federal constituency), Bappa Aliyu Misau (Representing Misau/Dambam federal constituency), Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila (Speaker 9th House of Representatives) and Mutari Aliyu Betera (Representing Shani, Biu, Bayo and Kwaya Kusar federal constituency) among several others.
Despite the privileged positions some politicians and public servants occupy, we are left to confront misfits that act as if they are more powerful than the electorate whose mandate they enjoy. But if truth must be told on the situation at hand, are they not more powerful than the electorate who lower their integrity to beggar status? Sincerely, those quack public office holders that are „worshipped‟ by the electorate shouldn‟t be blamed owing to the premeditated contradictions currently surrounding elections to public offices. What else should be expected if a registered voter is willing to part with his/her Permanent Voters Card (PVC) for N2,000.00 before an election day? That is how worthless some of the electorates see the PVC for lost of confidence in the system! They erroneously believe that their votes cannot make any difference in any election planned to be rigged by those misfits strategically positioned in public offices of authority! Hence, one reminds some of those that have lost confidence in the system that if their votes are useless as they think, why were their PVCs paid for to be relinquished then? Why are they usually bribed with few naira notes, Maggi cubes, sachet salt, noodles and detergents before elections?
Why are they, usually mobilized to polling stations to cast their votes by contestants? Nigerians are really disadvantaged as we are fighting against principalities that have „successfully‟ impoverished majority of Nigerians for long.
These shady characters have cornered the country‟s wealth and are in positions to wreck other havocs if allowed to continue the massive heist!
Do those accidental leaders care about the welfare of other Nigerians? Certainly, they do not, because if they do, the country would not have sunk this deep into the current mess. Do we even ask ourselves what is expected from „leaders‟ who do not patronize our public health facilities for treatment? Are they not always on medical tourism overseas funded from public purse while we have some of the best renowned medical personnel in the world? Yes, all humans are mere mortals prone to ailments….anytime. Thus, one may spend his/her legitimately earned resources for healthcare services….anywhere. This can be justified if the resources are not illicitly extracted from public purse. Nobody is trying to deny public office holders their legitimate privileges. Not at all! What one is against is the arrogation of illegal perquisites to themselves.
These are „perks of office‟ that have contributed substantially to the dehumanizing pauperization of majority Nigerians.
The questions are; why should our public hospitals (health facilities for the most wretched) be worse than the mere „consulting‟ clinics of the 1980s that necessitated a military takeover by Major General Muhammadu Buhari? Why are public tertiary institutions not conducive enough for children/wards of our political office holders? One continuously wonders how political officeholders are able to sleep soundly and even snore when Nigeria is comfortably the world‟s poverty capital. These scoundrels are still continuing in the mindless insatiable looting of public wealth. This mental illness is nothing but insanity and major cause of security challenges bedeviling the country!
Well, it is absolutely necessary to place a reminder, here, regarding the stupidity in blind primitive ephemeral wealth. Those in government are celebrating looting the country‟s treasury and, like Gen. Sani Abacha and others so exposed, stashing stolen funds in foreign financial vaults budgeted for the development of Nigerians. Nigerians want them to reflect on certain comments from a shrewd businessman, Femi Otedola who in two decades as claimed in a video clip, donated over US$20million to charity. In the said video clip, he was asked why he gave out such a huge amount to charity, he said: “In my life and in my journey, I have taken the risk, I have done the chase, I have enjoyed the thrill. I have achieved success and recognition; what next? You give it back! A lot of people think when they die they will take their money with them, we will see! Thank you!
We all know those thieves that Afrobeat Maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti of the Kalakuta Republic (1938-1997) referred to as “vagabonds in power” looting Nigerians‟ collective patrimony under different guises, will be very quick at quoting Mario Puzo (1920-1999) that “…….behind every successful fortune there is a crime……..” The messenger (Otedola), like other mere mortals, may have his faults but let every other person know that —herein—-the message should be focused on more than the messenger for the good of all!
Those who looted our resources and those still looting and celebrating should be held responsible for the security challenges we are battling as a nation. In my opinion, those caught in corrupt practices should be posted to their ancestors through jungle justice by their respective communities wherever they may be to serve as deterrent. Nigeria should be free from the scourge of bribery and corruption by 2027! My Take!
Muhammad is a commentator on national issues
