Finally, the waiting game is over with the conclusion of most of the political parties’ national conventions and the emergence of their presidential candidates. While it lasted, Nigerians were aghast that no issue that affected and still affects the man in the street featured in the game that had on display the ruthlessness of the political class- the unconscionable and vulgar assault on the sensibility of the people with the way money was the main defining factor on who occupies which office.
The presence of the security agencies, in particular, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at convention venues, designed to be a smokescreen, however, meant nothing to these politically- exposed persons who dared the anti-graft agency to try and stop the jamboree that was despicable in its immensity. Even more disarming is the impunity with which state resources were flagrantly deployed by these politicians in their campaigns. In other climes where democracy means something, such a behaviour was enough to end the political career of anyone indulging in it.
Still, the populace looked on askance, helplessly pondering in their minds if ever this charade will end so that they can go on with their normal lives devoid of the insensitivity of those they have the misfortune of regarding as their leaders; those who eat their corn and throw the chaff in their faces.
In the opinion of this newspaper, it is important to note that a number of things happened that put doubts in the minds of the average citizen as to the viability of the constitutional democracy the nation adopted as a system of government and administration.
The first sign that all was not well was that the value of the Nigerian currency took a dive as foreign currencies supplanted it. Politicians began to have the audacity to feel inferior without dollars and pounds sterling in their pool to share as aspirants primed themselves to outdo one another in the mindless race on the shifting sand of politics and power. During that period, the claim by this breed of Nigerians that the nation was hard up was proved to be a sham as delegates to those conventions became instant millionaires. As in similar cases, Nigerians took solace in making jokes of what ought to be a national tragedy.
Curiously, in our view, unemployment and indeed, the economy in general, within this period, were no longer issues that dominated the media space in the search for solution. Insecurity began to be romanticised and talked about in a cavalier manner that suggests that, perhaps, the ruling class appreciated the climate of uncertainty that has been the bane of peace in the country.
As the disturbing scenario was playing out in the public space, we observed that the cost of living in the country took a dangerous turn as politicians overly created the impression that their interests override every other interests in their warped consideration. Crime and criminality including the kidnapping, killing and maiming of innocent citizens were not serious matters enough to perturb the inordinate search for political offices and the privileges they confer.
Even more frightening, in our opinion, was the fact that the politicians thought nothing of the feelings of parents whose wards are languishing in idleness, out of school and at home, as a result of the face-off between the government and the university lecturers. The pittance the lecturers asked for was too much for the state to afford yet delegates were begged to cart home bribes enough to build new universities from scratch.
For the politicians, as we perceived it, it didn’t matter that roads, schools and public health institutions are in dilapidation. Those can wait until who the next bunch of ‘kleptocrats’ would be was decided.
Now that the team has been set up and money sharing is over, we think it is time for Nigerians to take back control of the political space and begin the assessment of the records of those so assembled with a view to sifting the grain from the chaff.
This newspaper invites Nigerians to prove that democracy is, indeed, their game. That, after all said and done, they are the ones with the power to decide who to choose and who to toss down the abyss of oblivion never to be remembered.
To do this, we urge the electorate to play down sentiments that hitherto befuddled their judgement and ask the questions that matter and demand answers that make sense to them and their posterity. Those answers must address the inadequacies in the system that have made life tough and dreary. They have the right to insist that the rot has gone long enough and should end.
In our considered opinion, it is time for the people’s power to be put to effective use in such a way that will put professional politicians out of business and replace them with leaders the people desire and deserve.
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