NIGERIA: We Are An Unfortunate Nation

Dr. O. B. Jack

An unfortunate lot we are. Our leaders have long forgotten the roles intended for political leadership, and the essence of leadership. The improvement of the economy and social conditions of the people, and bringing respect for the people and nation, are no longer seen as important by our leaders. Obasanjo was testament to such notion, when he said that he was not elected to provide infrastructures. In our country, leadership has become a joke, effused with one melodrama or the other, while the nation totters. Our Leaders are only interested in the game of deceit, and how to amass more wealth than their predecessors. To create diversion from their heinous crimes against the nation, these leaders have always come up with one make believe national crises or the other, no matter how expensive, or wasteful such diversion is to the nation. Monies that should have been used for developmental purposes have always been wasted, as the nation has remain's poor.

 These diversions started with Buhari, after the overthrow of Shagari. Instead of facing the enormous political and social problems facing the nation at that time, Buhari wasted scarce resources on his pet project, WAI, and Dikko in a crate saga. He was unable or interested in dealing with the soaring unemployment, and increasing nation debt. The economy was comatose, until he was booted out of power by his friend Babangida, who perfected the act of national diversion.

 To remain as life president, Babangida took the nation through wasteful, and endless political gimmicks and deceptions. Billions wasted on the creation of political parties, and building of party headquarters in all state capitals. Elections were held and cancelled arbitrary to the detriment of a nation. Development, and maintenance of infrastructures were kept on hold, and the remaining money was looted, and the nation raped by Babangida and his friends. Babangida could only give us an interim government, and later the sociopath, Abacha. Abacha did not even pretend to be a leader. His only interest was to amass as much wealth as possible, to give him lordship over the Nigerian political terrain forever, and pass the lordship over to his descendants, after his reign.

 Reprieve did not come to a hapless nation, as Obasanjo embarked on his futile third-term agenda. Billion of dollars was wasted, and the country became poorer. Obasanjo eight years of misrule continued with the bastardization of the electoral process, and inauguration of Yaradua. The whole period of period of Yaradua's reign was only about his chronic illness and death. Monies that should have been used for development were all wasted in the course of Yaradua's illness and death. His death was kept hidden, while his wife and collaborators raped the treasury, and any money they could lay their hands on. There was no single meaningful development in Yaradua's reign, and the nation became worse off. The emergence of Jonathan was suppose to be a victory of good over evil, and many celebrated, but the victory lap was immediately subdued by Jonathan's actions or inactions.

 Another silly season started, this time it is zoning. Billions that is needed to provide basic infrastructures is now wasted on governors and criminal politicians, whike the nation weeps for another wasted opportunity. The so-called cardinal programs, Niger Delta security, electricity, electoral reforms, and war against corruption did not even see the light of day, except in the creation of useless committees to encumber the already scarce resources. Many had hoped that Jonathan would keep to his promises, and set the stage for a new commitment to democracy. All that is talked about these days is zoning, and meetings about zoning by one group or the other, if only to get their share of money circulating because of zoning, while every other duties of leadership are on standstill.

 This system has failed us, and we just cannot continue on this path that has brought so much pain to the people, and expect different results. Just take a look at the political arena. See the major players. Dictators that have been discredited and should have been jailed for crime against the Nigerian nation, are still talking about leading a nation that they destroyed. This is a sure sign that the nation can no longer move forward. The path to any meaningful progress as a nation has come to a halt. We must change path or die. I actually feel a bitter taste in my mouth anytime I read about Buhari, Bavangida or Atiku. What I actually think about when see the names of these criminals wanting to be president, is like a father who endured the forced rape of his daughter, and have the rapist come years later to ask his daughter's had in marriage. It is painful to see what we have become as a nation.

 No elections would be free or fair under this circumstance, and no product of such elections would satisfy the aspiration of the people. We should not be talking of elections, but independent national conference. Until such moment, we are only postponing our doom's day. Nigerians, and the world have come to hate what the Nigerian nation constitutes and represents. It is time to modify or dismantle it, and create an entity or entities, that would serve the aspiration of the masses, and not a selected few.