Developing communities are challenged by a behemoth of obstacles, all unfortunately "man-made". Rather than fostering policies and practices aimed at equipping and enabling society towards creativity and progress, we embark on self-serving programs which ultimately denudes or indeed obviates any semblance of development.
50 years on some may say countries in the African sub region are still in the process of evolution. It however, beggars question what direction these countries are evolving towards. The evidence is starkly against positive change.
Nigeria like most other countries in the West African sub region has demonstrably revealed itself as a country with immense potential given its wealth of human and natural resources. Its main leadership in contrast, apologies to the minority, has persistently wallowed in a quagmire of heinous profligacy redefining the meaning of corruption and celebrating apoptotic and nebulous pursuits with careless abandon.
Two years on into this administration, we still have so-called legislative arm of government justifying their outlandish self-aggrandized salary structure. They of course may argue that it is their statutory rights! But they forget their role as legislature is to reform and formulate policies and laws to protect and promote equality and justice. It pains me to recall that they were indeed voted in by the same society that bemoans their corruption.
Caught in the confused and recklessness of government, the judiciary struggles to measure up and again but for a few, have not fared better in their consumptive coagulopathy, knowingly exonerating those indicted for corruptly enriching themselves through various offices. It is well reported how the judiciary have carved out for itself a 'new market' for expanding their income base via extortionary practices. This whole business of corruption trickles down all cadre of government.
If the head is rotten, what can the body do? Little wonder the language of corruption is the accepted norm and the seed long sown by leaders past has grown its ugly head and like a metastatic tumour invaded any semblance of truth and justice.
I began with the issue of inordinate enrichment through the skewed salary or allowance of all leaders in government - from legislative houses through judiciary and of course the executives. With due respect to genuine and hardworking few in leadership, who are unfortunately blighted by the indecision and inauspiciousness of their collocation with the whole, we are swimming against a strong tide.
If the most qualified and highly trained in any given society are not accorded the regard and remuneration that they rightfully earn and 'representatives' or servants as they should be called, whether appointed or elected into office, ascribe to themselves allocations out of the ordinary, the world of George Orwell has indeed visited us. It is a slippery slope to the tyranny of the rich against the poor. No longer is it necessary for those in military gab to impose on civil society. They have smartly metamorphosed into the common garb of civil society but continue to rule to protect their inexplicable wealth.
Those who control the present may indeed control the past and those who control the past may also control the future.
Any surprise why we appear to be going around in circles?
In my humble opinion, unless we root out the elements of our society – whether in and out of government, that are invested in fallacious tales such as 'all animals are equal but some are more equal than others', we are doomed.
There is a need for a new generation of leaders. Not PDP and not APC. If INEC (or similar bodies in the sub-region) is not worth its salt it’s time to change. We need a review of conditions for party registration. No longer should the emphasis be on ridiculous sums to be eligible for registration which leads to ‘money bags’ footing the costs, but on a minimum number of card holding registered members across regions. It should be possible for parties to not necessarily have a national spread if their interest is not for appointments beyond their local government or their state. Clearly the significance of a party would change with time. A process that allows bodies to evolve and natural selection to determine survival is probably more realistic that an imposition with assumption that all regions are equally disposed for certain leadership groups or the other. Every party member should have an equal right based on the maximum registration fee allowed.
I appreciate a few current leaders are honest and truthful in their pursuit of government. However majority of the current party, state and national leaders have only one interest in mind - their self-serving agenda. That is the only reason why the salary structure remains and typifies this false dichotomy. That is the only reason why inequality is palpable and the rich is stupendously wealthy and the poor miserably abandoned with little hope for today or tomorrow. That is why a university dropout and a high street thug are no different in their motivation and their ambition. That is why ex-generals are richer than their own state government and ex-governors become assembly members and justify their dual pension status. That is why our health system and schools are shells and shadows of a nation’s past. That is why our tertiary institutions spew out graduates after nearly a decade of studies for their first degree. That is why the national education curriculum is confused focused on federal character rather than academic brilliance. That is why insecurity is the price we pay for devaluing the life and existence of our fellow brothers. The list goes on.
Again my call is for a new polity of leaders. Enough of this circularity and imposition of wills meant for nothing else but the visionless few. I believe they have pillaged the nation enough. If the truth reigned from inception, Nigeria like most other countries in the sub-region would not be where it is today. The confusion of 'Biafra' is being re-enacted. But the real problem is a nation deceived by a select few.
In my opinion every current member of the national assembly at this point in time has disqualified themselves from re-election. Ask me why and this would be the subject for another essay!
Join the new breed where truth and value trumps injustice and nepotism. Get ready for change.
