By Christie Doyin
Despite growing up within the political setup, I still find it very difficult getting involved in all kinds of politics. As it is, my take, which I have held firmly to since I became old enough to know that there is a huge difference between democracy and military dictatorship, is that politics will certainly cause a huge gash in your relationship with God if care is not taken.
I have instances that abound, counting from insincerity, to selfishness, desperation, dead conscience, cheating, deceit/lies, wickedness, irresponsibility and criminality among numerous others as earlier stated. Many of our politicians seem to have lost all that would make them realise that God is paid when man receives and that God can be served through service to humanity. Many of them have forgotten that the common wealth or national cake as some tend to call it is meant for all citizens to benefit from. But some of them have literarily hijacked everything for their personal uses.
Human beings have from time immemorial being political and politicking could be found in all endeavours of man, including within the family setup, office environment and within the community. Partisan politics from time have evolved with some acrimony from all parts over time, however, the acrimony has degenerated or escalated to violence, assault, arson, murder and character assassination of high level in recent times.
One would think that with development and advancements, political differences would be met with high level of understanding and tolerance, at least to a point such that the electorate and others can derive such benefits that would bring satisfaction as well as affiliation with serving leaders, sadly however, what we have is orchestration of violence orgy that have severed the bond that would have attached the governed to the government.
Since democracy was officially introduced in Nigeria, even from the so called independence, democracy has been meaningless, however, situation then was such that could still be tolerated and approached with decorum. Unfortunately now, things are not in tandem with the dictates of democracy, rather we have such matters that point towards what I have termed draconiamocracy. The government of the people for the people and by the people has become the government of a scanty handpicked people against the people for the suffering of the people.
The reflective effects are what we see daily. A situation where we have people handpicked by a few cabals treating people who should be beneficiaries of democracy with disdainful demonstration of craze. We see crazy elements in democracy showing vital signs of real madness. Or how do you explain to normal human beings that those selected to represent you in the various houses of assembly, house of representatives, the senate and those at the different arms of levels in government are only there to line their own pockets with what should be common wealth to the society, in their selfishness?
How do you explain the fact that rather than legislate on issues that could bring development and sanitise the society, these politicians are the same people bringing the nation down and deliberating on matters that would not allow for unity and advancement? How do you explain that those who are meant to interpret and enforced the laws, are those breaking it and are found guilty in reckless abandon and respect for the laws of the land?
The executive that should be there delivering dividends of democracy to the people are found to be lining their pockets and lives with those same benefits, those essential ingredients of democracy to the deprivation of all. Isn’t it sad that all our leaders think first about themselves and not at all about the citizens? Or how do you explain a government people growing fat at the expense of citizens who are getting choked and demeaning every day?
The most worrying is the fact that those who are meant to provide security, social amenities, and all the essentials of democracy are those denying and destroying them. You see, I have always said Nigeria is a country that was and to say that it was hitherto the big brother giant of Africa! Shame.
I have watched with disdain the ineptitude of many of our leaders at various levels and at different times, towards developing the country; really, we can all say it didn’t just start with the present crops of leaders in government. I have wondered at the foolhardy and senseless careless attitudes towards Nigeria’s security, economic growth, social standards and morality amongst others and feels not just disgust, but pity for the leadership cadre of Nigeria and could just say it’s foolhardiness and nothing more.
It is only foolishness or stupidity that would make a leader deprive the citizens and destroy the fragments of unity and think he can reign in peace. I use to think that any person in position of leadership must be someone whose IQ is higher, better and more effective than others, I never know that majority of them are just well below average in terms of IQ level.
This also brought me to what played out a few days back at the Kwara state banquet hall. Really, it is not the first of its kind across the country, especially at the national level, what makes it sad is because it is intraparty issue that could have been resolved amicably when they disagree to agree but then, who and where is the leader?
Political acrimony and violence in this century and time should have been history, especially with what the world, nay, what the country is passing through now while matters of security, improved economy and provision of social services as well as sustainable development should be topmost in the list of agenda.
I just couldn’t help feeling that if there is no true change and the craze in democracy is not tapered, Nigeria will be totally doomed and these leaders will pay dearly for not subduing the craze of democracy that seems to be playing out.
*Doyin writes from Ilorin via e-Mail: [email protected]
