The planes have made it plain!
Time and again commentators have pointed out that the outward demeanour of our political leaders is unbecoming of our dire predicament. In spite of the fact that successive Nigerian governments have failed to satisfy our basic needs such as water, electricity, medical care, and educational facilities, our political leaders are always seen publicly rather than […]
Time and again commentators have pointed out that the outward demeanour of our political leaders is unbecoming of our dire predicament. In spite of the fact that successive Nigerian governments have failed to satisfy our basic needs such as water, electricity, medical care, and educational facilities, our political leaders are always seen publicly rather than hiding their heads in shame. They gather at the most insignificant social functions such as the marriages of their children where they donate gifts from the “people of their state” who themselves are living in penury. Every week members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) beam with smiles as if they have discovered some earth-shaking solution to our problems.
Meanwhile what they consider to be an achievement is awarding contracts which at the end of the day will either end up as failed or over-inflated. They don’t seem to realise that all their laughter and frivolity in the face of mass suffering is offensive to say the least. Of course, they have every reason to laugh because even though workers and pensioners aren’t being paid, and the budget hasn’t been passed, while gallivanting around at our expense and their over-bloated remunerations are paid regularly and promptly. Nigerian political office holders collect allowances that are more than the minimum wage! The budget of the 8th National Assembly shows that N125 Billion is required for them to do basically nothing.
Despite allocating to themselves billions under specific headings, there is an additional item of “service wide vote” of almost N400 million! If we can’t afford to properly educate our children, protect our environment, rebuild our infrastructure or provide health care, then what exactly are we administering with all these billions? It’s increasingly emvident that those who run our affairs don’t believe in the virtues of discipline, sacrifice and prudent management of resources. This was brought sharply into focus in the recent marriage ceremony of Halima Babangida. In order to celebrate the marriage, the Nigerian elite arrived with illusions of grandeur in 34 private jets. It’s worthy of note that none of the jet owners was a captain of industry, none has any intellectual property, none came into wealth by inheritance, none of them even won a lottery! All they have in common is that they have held top positions in government.
In their conspicuous consumption, they have identified themselves as part of our problem not part of the solution. Truly the only Nigerians that are happy are those that are in charge, and they don’t care to change that fact. This deficiency of compassion, moral standards and intellect amongst our political class has been aptly surmised by Bishop Matthew Kukah. He has been quoted as saying that “the Nigerian educational systems have surprising outcomes. The smartest students pass with first-class and get admitted to medical and engineering schools. The second-class students get MBA’s and LLB’s to manage the first-class students, while the third-class students enter politics and control both the first class and second class students….! The import is clear.
Our political actors are by no means the best brains in the nation and it shows. It’s the main reason for our lack of progress. We all want change but our political leaders don’t want to change, and indeed there is no reason why they should. They surround themselves with armed police escorts whose brutality shows that they don’t understand the concept of human rights. The suffering citizenry has been reduced to “siddon look”. For example, in Delta State, there is a political brouhaha over the position of Speaker being “zoned” to Chief James Ibori the ex-convict who has returned from prison in the UK to preside over the affairs of his State. Current Governor Okowa sees nothing wrong in publicly appearing with the disgraced former governor. What is important to them is solidarity amongst their class.
Forgiving someone is easy but being able to trust them again is a different story, trust them at your peril. As for all the fake religious piety being propagated by our political class in an attempt divide the rest of us by using religion the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claims to have found a hotel being constructed allegedly by Governor Yari of Zamfara State with $3 million allegedly diverted from the London Paris Club Loan Refund to Nigerian States.
Although the EFCC have earned a reputation for grandstanding and later losing their cases in court, in this instance even of the allegations are there will be no immediate prosecution because of immunity. It’s imperative that the immunity clause be altered to “immunity from civil prosecution only”. Criminal prosecutions are not brought by public but by the police. Are we really saying that if a Governor kills someone then he will not be prosecuted? Nigerians must wake up to realise that there is no solution coming from this current crop of politicians. Its time new blood was introduced into the system. This business of appointing failed leaders into top positions must stop. It’s plain to see through the planes that, to paraphrase Goodluck Jonathan, they “don’t give a damn”!