Where lies the place of the common man in present day Nigeria? Putting it in another context, has it ever dawned on us that the future of the average citizen of this country is uncertain, if not in jeopardy? What does the future really hold for the teeming masses of Nigeria? Are we doomed as many are wont to say? Did we make any mistake by being born in this part of the world?
Was nature so unkind to us by placing us in this geographical contraption? What offence did we really commit to deserve or be subjected to this suffocating misery and arid lack? Could it be that we are in the wrong enclave?
While I make no Attempt to jump at quick conclusions, it is instructive to note that the foregoing questions have been raging through my mind in recent time especially as we get set to elect new leaders to pilot the affairs of the country at different levels next year. Recent posturing by the ruling clique has left much to be desired in this regard.
Their utterances and body language is clearly at variance with the collective wishes of the people and the purpose for which they were elected in the first place. They have confused and confounded us with their needless bickering and altercations. They have regrettably abandoned governance in pursuit of their selfish ends. Little or no thought is spared for law abiding citizens. The other day, I was locked in argument with one of my neighbours where I held that the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer but he countered my viewpoint instantly by saying that the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorest! It threw me into a fit of laughter for according to him, the masses are already poorer hence the poverty level is in the superlative having since passed the comparative stage.
How wrong I was! Well, it shows how the people are faring in the face of harsh economic conditions. But do our leaders care? Yes, some of them do while a good number of others do not care a hoot how others go through excruciating pains to keep body and soul together. It’s a pathetic situation indeed. It seems no place or institution is immune from blame in our current situation. The court of law that was widely believed to be the last hope of the common man has been bastardised and compromised to suit the whims and caprices of the highest bidder. Time was when you could afford to take your landlord to court for his failings and go ahead to win the case and still live comfortably in his house as tenant without any fear or intimidation because you are under the long wings of the law.
But today, our lawyers have compromised their hallowed profession for petro-dollars. They have now resorted to standing truth on its head. But should one really blame them for falling prey to the tempting, fresh and gummy nature of the naira, especially when it is offered in a prodigal manner? It’s a pity for the nation and a sad commentary indeed. Now that the court that was hitherto the hope of the common man has been bought over, where then does the have-nots fit in? Recently too, I saw a brand new police patrol van with its body saturated with the poster of a state-government anointed governorship aspirant. They drove with swagger and behaved as if no one else mattered in the society but them.
How else can one define impunity if that was not the height of it? These are institutions that should be independent yet they have shamelessly joined a gang of misled sycophants to flout all known rules governing human affairs. Instead of being dispassionate parties whose work is to maintain law and order in the society while ensuring that justice is done to all regardless of their status, they have sold their conscience for transient gratification. Where do we really clutch on for rescue in times like these?
As the general election gathers momentum, the people are apprehensive as they have had their mandate taken off them forcefully by the ruling class. Who will save us from this quandary? The word democracy has become alien to our leaders. To them, it is no longer the conventional definition known to all. Their own definition is that it is the government of the rich, most powerful and the most daring. Today, crisis is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which emanated from the last governorship primaries conducted across the federation. Aspirants who ‘lost’ out are threatening to dump the party for the opposition camp if the process is not cancelled and a fresh one done in order to appease everyone. They have blamed their state governors for manipulating the process in favour of their preferred aspirants.
In Kwara, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River, Plateau and Akwa Ibom states, the story is the same. The aspirants are crying blue murder over what they described as imposition of candidates on them by the governors. While the national leadership of the party is yet to thoroughly consider the numerous petitions that have flooded their desk since after the said primaries, there seems to be no let up in this ensuing epic battle. But what is clear is that if the complaints raised by these guys are not looked into, they will have no choice than to join forces with the opposition and seek ways to defeat the PDP at the general elections. That’s how dicey the situation is. The wishes of the people is that a free and fair process will do them good as it will afford them the chance to vote for leaders of their choice and not the one imposed on them. That, in itself, is the essence of democracy. That is the beauty of the whole exercise when the electorate settles for whom they want, not the one forced down their throat.
It’s a simple thing to do but our governors have proved adamant. They want to impose their candidates on the people irrespective of what anybody thinks so long as there’s cash to buy poverty-stricken masses over. Let’s not shy away from the fact that if these governors drop their ill fated ambition of installing their stooges in these states, the much needed peace will reign.
All the internal wrangling that has engulfed the ruling PDP is as a result of their quest to decide who succeeds them. I have said it here in the past that it is the right of every leader to be interested in who succeeds them when they leave office. But what makes it bad is when such a desire is pursued with evil intent and by all means, then the people will naturally rise up against you for wanting to see yourself as a kingmaker. Our leaders should learn how to be satisfied with what they are and where they are rather than plucking the nose to spite one’s face. Let’s sheathe our sword and seek for peace by freeing the space for the people to choose whom they want and not squandering tax payers’ money in an ambition that the people have rejected overwhelmingly.
Let the peace of Christmas feel our hearts so that we will allow the wishes of the people to prevail in this season of miasma. Let our leaders think more of the masses not what they are running after. If truly we crave for the will of God in Akwa Ibom state, let’s give way and allow it to be so rather speaking from both sides of the mouth. It pains to the marrow when a learned fellow is seen as a daft. If you must lead a people, let the process leading up to that position be devoid of bloodshed and dubious antics.
If God is a giver of power as we always say, let us do our bit and allow Him chose the best for us and not this devilish desperation that have bulldozed every establishment of the law with reckless abandon. To our politicians, I pray God gives them the presence of mind to celebrate this Christmas to the fullest despite the season we are in. May it be so, now and eternally.
No comments:
Post a Comment