2019: The question no one seems to be answering
As only to be expected many questions are being asked, in the approach to the 2019 elections. In the process of demanding answers, increasingly immoderate language is being used. Although within the restrictions of laws on libel and sedition every Nigerian has the right to an opinion, and the right to express it in public, […]
As only to be expected many questions are being asked, in the approach to the 2019 elections. In the process of demanding answers, increasingly immoderate language is being used. Although within the restrictions of laws on libel and sedition every Nigerian has the right to an opinion, and the right to express it in public, far too many ill-considered inflammatory opinions are being expressed. Far too many people are ascribing to themselves the powers and rights to think and speak for all Nigerians, rather than just themselves. The real paradox isn’t in the language being used, but in the answers being offered, most of which fail to address the real issues. The first commonly asked question is whether or not the majority of Nigerians feel that their personal situation is better off than before? The answer is indisputably no. There is no denying that little of significance has actually been fixed.
Electricity is still a mess with the Electrical Distribution Companies (DISCO’s) leading the way in inflicting untold misery upon long suffering citizens. Persistent blackout was their Xmas present to Nigerians. The University system continues to deteriorate with on-going regular Academic Staff Unions of Universities (ASUU) strikes, and the continuous churning out of graduates with no relevant marketable employment skills. Reports about the security situation speak for themselves. The economy fares no better with mass unemployment and an inadequate minimum wage plaguing the populace. But this is nothing new. Nigerians have serially been disappointed by the performance of successive governments. The second commonly asked question is whether or not the solution lies in a change of government? Paradoxically the answer is also no! There is no reason to believe that the solution to the nation’s problems is likely to be found in either keeping or replacing government. Every Nigerian is familiar with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) mantra that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) destroyed the nation in 16 years of misrule, but there is really no distinct difference between the two parties. Neither Party ascribes to any discernible political philosophy, and the interchange of personal between them makes differentiation virtually impossible.
The majority of APC Governors are former members of the PDP, as are the Vice-Chairman North; Vice-Chairman South; DG; North-West Zonal Director; South-West Zonal Director; and South-South Zonal Director in the APC 2019 Presidential Campaign Council. It’s more than ironic that in one breath Nigerians are told that PDP destroyed the nation, and in another breath former high-ranking PDP members are needed to “change” the situation! Seeing as the elections can’t really be packaged as a choice between the political and economic philosophies of the PDP and APC, the political class have boiled everything down to a question of whether or not the current government has lived up to expectations, and which of the two main Presidential candidates is more competent and of more unimpeachable character. Some Nigerians mistakenly believe that rants on social media are enough to change things, even though this isn’t the case such rants highlight certain questions which no one seems to be answering. Is it true that every failure of the APC is caused by 16 years of PDP misrule? Given their past record why should anyone believe that PDP can possibly do any better in governance? Is it true that the PDP campaign is simply corruption fighting back? Is it true that politicians in APC are exempt from the anti-corruption war? Is it true that every economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians is because APC has blocked people from stealing?
As the elections approach it’s regrettable than Nigerian no longer has political leaders like the late President Shehu Shagari. He never mouthed integrity but his life after governance showed he had it in abundance. He was accused of corruption but the military adventurists who removed him from office entrenched corruption. He is now described as “a patriot who served Nigeria with humility, integrity and diligence”. His children were never known for their profligate lifestyle, and he used Nigerian hospitals until his demise. History has vindicated him and shown the real problem in Nigeria is that good leaders are seldom recognized within their lifetimes. The most important question for Nigerians next year surrounds that fact that under normal circumstances whoever pays the piper dictates the tunes. In Nigeria however the political pipers seem to choose the tunes and dance to them while those who employ them look on helplessly. Legendary Chinese philosopher Confucius reputedly said that making the world a better place is a simple matter…. all that is required is for an individual to make him or herself a better person. As the year draws to a close the real question Nigerians should ask themselves is: In what way have they changed themselves for the better, that they now expect the nation to be a better place?