No country can equal Nigeria as far as politics is concern. As paradoxical as this might sound, it is so true that we have made landmark achievements by way of bizarre actings and in other political-show of shame and impunity. So what are we equating with what? We have a whole lot, that no nation can match, when it comes to Nigerian politics. Indeed right from the first republic, the Nigerian politics has witnessed interesting turbulent moments. The key actors/leaders in the past have taken actions that have put the entire nation in shamble; all in the name of national interest. Yet , no lesson to learn, instead we keep busing ourselves with talks and writings that doesn’t work the idea/issue in dispute or discuss. Thus, reminscent the old public opinion laws... that defines the attitude of men, when their core interests are affected or to be protected.
A friend once told me that, he turn down his constituent request to come and represent them at the political forefront. I asked him why? And I couldn’t help but laugh at his simple answer: “I think, Politics is for crooks and I have more interesting things to do than soil my name.” My good friend is an interesting opinion leader, whose opinion contravens the will of his people, just because of what he believes as far as politics is concern. In all honesty, there are many out there, who share in Uncle Dandy’s view point of politics being too dirty and crooked. To this set, an endless wait for Christ’s second coming for redemption is the way out; they dare not thinker the possibility or need for self-emancipation. All they know is that, to rule/lead is for the powerful; whether the rulership/leadership style is killing or not, it doesn’t matter. All they know is that, their endless wait for the liberator, is the only answer to the much expected salvation.
Interestingly, the powerful tacticians and power-brokers have understood the mindset of the voiceless, inactive or passive political advocates, who know how to shout without actioning it. They have understood the workings of the Nigerian politics of opportunism, god-fatherism, money-bags, legendry-monachs and sons/daughters of the ruling class; whose names we never heard in the history books, local or international. This set, knows that majority of Nigerians are cowards or the proverbial barking dogs that never bites. And with the deeply entrenched fear among the Nigerian electorates, these opportunists and power-brokers have always had a field day. Yet the height of impunity with which they demonstrate their high-headedness and tyranical leadership style is a wonder. Little wonder, they apply the rotational political style without considering the interest or concern of the Nigerian masses.
So, which country on earth can match this tall political credential of our beloved Nigeria? Well, the answer lies in politics of rotation. The type that is determined by what the People Democratic Party (PDP) - leading party has to say, and NOT what the Nigerian Constitution has to say. It is a pity that, these political actors/opportunists/power-brokers have succeeded in rotating Nigeria and Nigerians like a spinning cone, without any hope of falling either with the head or tail. They’ve rotated Nigeria for more than forty years without realizing that a forward step-by-step movement is better than the one-spot, retrogressive circumnavigation/circumlocution. To them, progress doesn’t matter, what is paramount is rotation and extreme/liftist political interest. Perhaps, the public treasury loot and reckless mismanagement of our common-wealth, which is the motivation for some of them, has blinded their hunches.
Therefore the questions begging answers are: by what frame-work are those in public offices governing Nigeria? Is it by the party norms and agenda or by the NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION? Why is it that, our dear President’s ill-health and the vaccum so created in Aso-Rock, has become a matter of PDP leadership decision, instead a constitutional one? Why is that Nigerians have become so docile, passive and powerless that just a handful of some selfishless, greedy and heartless opportunists or politicians could bondage our future and toil with it, when we all know that our liberation/salvation lies in our very hands? In all fairness to most of our current crop of Legislators; the Nigerian political arena has witnessed quite an interesting transformation, lobbying, advocation and legislation. But, very truly, their loudible achievements are being rubbished by their king-makers/god-fathers/cabals, who believe that, their take or interest is what matters, as far as governance is concern.
One thing, these actors must know, is that many Nigerians are no longer in the dark-days of ignorance; many thanks to Chief Olusegun obasanjo, whose political activism has brought some ill-intent but positive changes. Thank God, for the Nigerian constitution which has been made available to everyone who cares about acquiring a copy. But the irony of it is that many of us need the help our constitution lawyers to educate Nigerians on the content/text of the Nigerian Constitution, so that we would know how to demand for our rights. Many Nigerians are in desparate need of constitutional and political enlightenment and sensitization to be able jump -start the liberation struggle. Otherwise, these tyrants/political-opportunists and power-brokers would land us in the Heat-Red, Red-Sea. And there’s nothing any Nigerian can do about it, apart from complaining and lamenting. They all know that Nigerians can only shout, complain and lament, and end up in one spot doing nothing about their lamentations. Our fears have become their strength and inspiration; insensitivity to the plight of the ordinary Nigerian has become a norm and a positive value.
It’s foolhardy to rejoice at President Yar ‘Adua ailing health, after all, none of us can predict or dictate what happens to us the next minute. Nigerians, honestly don’t need this one-sided and sentimental style of politics called “Politics of Rotation.” After all, the people in power today got there par chance, courtesy of Nigerians inactivity and docile nature. If PDP doesn’t know, at least those of its members that have conscience and a good sense of judgement should have known the truth and tell it to the top echelon of the party that, what matters is good governance and not rotational politics of sentiments and ethnicity.
If for no other reason, at least for the mere fact that, for over forty years, rotational politics has taken us nowhere, except in the same spot of retrogressive -circumnavigation/circumlocution. It really doesn’t matter, who rules/leads Nigeria, whether a Northerner or Southerner, what should matter is good governance and not political propaganda and sycophancy. Those who have succeeded in rotating themselves in government for over forty years, should have been wise enough to realize that, even though there’s no ovatition, what they’ve amass for those endless and hopeless reign, can take care of their third generation. Rather than wait, for the wind of change to disgrace them out of office, it is better for them to bury their faces in shame and quit the political scene quietly. For the wrath of God is fast coming. And when it gets there, the actors will no longer have a hiding place, and their cohorts/sycophants will abandon them to their fates.
We all know that, in every bit of rumour, fact elements abound. Again, many Nigerians know the position of the lapses ridden constitution; so the noises coming from the PDP circles and the wave length of the power-brokers and cabals about Vice President – Goodluck Jonathan being compelled to resign, and of course, the declaration of 9-day prayer/Aso-Rock not being vacant, sinks clearly in the ears and minds of Nigerians. But there’s a limit to everything. There’s a limit to how long Nigerians will remain silent to the illegality and manipulations of PDP in elections, in governance and in the outrageous and bizarre leadership style. Indeed there’s a limit to the endurance of the pains the party is inflicting on Nigerians; there’s a limit to the tolerance of failed promises of 6000 MG Watt of electricity, rebranding, secrecy, deceit and tenure elongation even in the face of the willing-horse failing health. Nigerians know how to love but the precedent being set by some bad leaders is creating a new culture of hate and disenchantment.
Those who mean well for Nigeria, should quit talking and confront these cabals, who tell lies even on oath, who have toiled with our future for countless years. They’s should be told about empathy, and the fact that nothing last forever except change. And that God is watching everyone of us. Thus, the fear of God, will herald the wisdom that will save them from the wrath or Sledge-Hammer hanging in the air. Rather than campign or lobby for who occupy’s the seat in Aso-Rock, we should rather pray for Mr. President because, whatever happens to him will affect everyone Nigerian, whether directly or indirectly. We know, that the one who beqeathed power to him, had an agenda. Interestingly, he regretted one thing about his choice/action at least for once – July 22, 2009 in Ota, and that is the fact that, President Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua disappointed him with the continuity promise which according him (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo), motivated him into joining “the Yar ‘Adua and Jonathan campaign train” in 2007. From hindsight, we should tell the truth about the provision of the Nigerian Constitution, which states clearly the hierarchy of order in the event that, a sitting – president quit office for either health conditions or an act of God. We should also, remember that the devil is always pursuing God’s children, yet as s/he chases after the children of God, so God trails him/her. Thus, we had better be mindful of our alterances concerning President – Yar ‘Adua’s health. Whoever, wishes him death should know that God is behind him.... It is high time Nigerians got involved in the decision making and policy formulation of Nigeria, especially as it bothers on governance, because whatever happens in the nations rolls back to our choice of policies and leadership.
Indeed a situation where Nigerians don’t have a say in the determination of the affairs of the state either by true representation or proxy, spell danger for our unity and development. The choice of liberating Nigeria from evilmen and greedy men is a collective and compulsory task, so if we/you can't take the initiative by telling our parents, uncles, friends, associates, party members and “representatives” the gospel truth, then we had better quit complaining and shouting and do the politics of rotation instead.
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