“Is like what Malcolm X told the white people, as recorded by Vukulu Sizwe Maphindani, ‘Understanding Malcolm X,’ that revolutions overrun systems. Revolutions destroy system. We do not want any system to be destroyed, because Nigeria is the only country we have.”
I have tried to understand Professor GG Darah’s view about Nigeria’s leadership style and its citizens woof of despondency, when he said, that he has long stopped worrying about Nigeria, that the young generation should take up the fight for a better Nigeria irrespective of whose ox is gored.
His outburst may be based on the arrogance and the ineptitude of the country’s leaders both present and past. They will never hand over the reign of power to anyone. In fact, a former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, modified this statement at the National Conference on Strengthening Democracy, held few weeks ago, where he declared that the interest of any Nigerian politician is to grab power, steal, kill, and retain power, which is not far from John 10: 10. “ The Thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”
Amaechi painted the picture of the character of Nigerian politicians, which he didn’t exclude himself
“All we hear here is typical Nigeria, and you’re clapping. That’s why politicians get away with anything. They get away with murder because you have a short memory. None of you here can defend the votes. You have complained; Nigerians have been clapping for you. Before the election of the last president, a lot of us were called to intervene. Why did they do that? The people were ready to die. You’re talking and abusing everybody; nobody has power and will give to you. Not even me. If you want a pastor as president, go and get one.”
“The politician is there in Nigeria to steal, to maim, to kill, and to remain in power. If you think Tinubu will give it to you, you are wasting your time. When we speak, we forget history.”
This is the position and the mess Nigerian citizens have to bear till thy kingdom come. With the current leadership structure and the crops of politicians Nigeria is parading, the future seems somehow nebulous. look at what is going in the country, from the Senate- Akpabio-Natasha Akpoti- Uduagha sexual harassment gate, to president Tinubu impunity and suspension of Rivers state governor for one man’s sake, to Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, and the senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, last week Tuesday public altercation, of embarrassing themselves before the whole world in defense of their colleague.
It was mockery of character and badly image to Nigeria. Citizens verse lawmakers. What a shame! In all this, can we now say education has played better role in good conscience of reasoning , of course, no. Democracy seems to have done more evil than good in the Nigerian context.
Sancrosantly, in life there is a level anyone can take, likewise, citizens and leaders. And that was why Martin Luther King Jr’s hypothesis on the consequence of bad leadership always end abruptly with citizen’s anger and so, he warned the American leaders against oppression of the black race in his address on December 1, 1955, at the Rosa Parks, Montgomery movement:
“You know, my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being tramped over by the iron feet of oppression, there comes a time my friends, when people get tired of being plunged across the abyss of humiliation, where they experience the bleakness of nagging despair, there comes a time when people get tired of being pushed out of glittering sunlight of life’s July, and left standing amid the piercing chill of an alpine November”
We saw the Nigerian citizens during the Endsars protest on October 8, 2020 rose against police brutality/end bad governance, that made various state governments to loose billions of naira, as life and property were destroyed. Is it the hunger protest last year where hungry and frustrated citizens took to the street . I can go on and on. We must begin to look inwardly on the recruitment process of the Nigeria leadership system.
Nigeria do not need the kind of revolution that took place five years ago, what the country need is good governance, justice and equity, working institutions, and adherent to the rule of law. Because if the government closes its eyes and continue to pay deaf ear to the plight of the citizens, they will have no option than resolve to self-help, which may likely turn into something else. Is like what Malcolm X told the white people, as recorded by Vukulu Sizwe Maphindani, “Understanding Malcolm X, that revolutions overrun systems. Revolutions destroy system. We do not want any system to be destroyed, because Nigeria is the only country we have.”
Yes, Africa generally have had bad luck with its leaders, who have behaved despotically poor and performed below standard, yet, they want to remain in power at all cost.
Recall the story of the former Uganda president, Yoweri Museveni who assumed office in 1986, he thought he would carry the presidency to his grave. His regime was characterized by thuggery, arrest, intimidation of oppositions and citizens. The late Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe at 92, was still thinking no one was better than him. At first, he considered himself as ‘new idea of Africa face.’ He was against the whites and had wanted them to be under his highhandedness and corrupt practices. His regime was dented by crime against humanity, racism, cruelty, and power drunk whereas citizens were granding their teeths. Paul Biya of Cameroon, was one of the most ungrateful leader, who arrogated to himself as an ultimate. First, he got into power in 1975 as a Prime Minister, later President. In fact, he won election sixth term in 2011, he authorized the altering of the country’s constitution to remain in power in whatever term he wished. At the age of 83, he was still fighting for power. What a country of greedy politician.
He almost succeeded as a life president. Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of Sudan is another dangerous leader, whose citizens continue to wallow in poverty irrespective of the vast natural resource in his country ravaged by war. Because of his evil leadership trench, even the international Court of justice indicted him for genocide.
He has been in power since 1989 ruling with iron fist while its citizens are dying of hunger and diseases. Bashir as reported is one of the most corrupt leaders with more than stolen funds of Nine billion dollars into his foreign account.
Jose Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola is an oil rich country like Nigeria, but failure of leadership and long threat remains the issue. Report had it that Dos Santos was the richest president in Africa, because he was running the country like a private enterprise, and as then, Angola citizens as reported, two thirds were living below poverty ration. He was a corrupt leader. It was reported that he amassed 20 Billion dollars. In Gambia, Yahya Jammeh stayed in power for 22 years, what was his achievement, chasing homesexuals, campaign against witchcraft, arrest and torture. He never believed in democracy. Many of them were so fervent about destination of power, forgetting that only a thoroughbred mind and the brave can lead with good conscience.
So, the point here is that, there is a total disconnect between the leaders and the led. Leaders are more interested in their circle’s interest, whereas, citizen’s interest is the reason for leadership. It is time for citizens to rise up and demand leadership or resolve to gang up against greed, impunity, injustice and intimidation.
Mark Orgu, is a public Affairs Analyst and Editor-in-Chief, Afrikanwatch Network (08028592006)
For breaking news, call +2348028592006, +2348148704264, email us: afrikanwatch122@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @afrikanwatchm, facebook: LinkedIn: Afrikanwatch Network Communications, afrikanwatch Network, instagram, @afrikanwatchm
