Politics in disarray
NIGERIA’S political system is egregious, a failure and undemocratic. It is in total disarray and outrightly deviates from constitutional policies and norms.
Today politicians have made its meaning abatement and ungainly. What bond them now is wealth and power but not to govern. This shows why we are sinking into a black quicksand of despair and catastrophe.
USA, the country that we copied and adopted their system of government is not emulated accordingly here in Nigeria. It is now clear that the political reforms in the country were made to suite the people who are in corridor of power for self-actualization and self-elongation in the office not for general interests. Doing things that are not in line with democratic principles is unfavourable, deceptive and putrid. The nation’s politics has become a matter of do or die affair. Politics of consensus is never there. Now scrabbling for power the politicians are virulent and in cut throat, backstabbing competition. And brutality is employed without honour and without humility. This has enveloped and taken possession of the country, via interlocking dictatorship, right from local governments levels, on up to states and upper level of the power pyramids.
The system operation is highly frightening the country. It is getting worse, while political maneuvers are turning politicians against themselves and people against. In the right sense politics should disabuse people of foolish prejudices because seeking power can bring disaffection among the politicians.
Only in Nigeria the masses are always too patient and tolerant, despite the bad behaviours of their leaders. But those in power and who are in position of trust are turning against the masses whom voted them, giving them the privilege to rule. In reverse they deny the poor masses an equitable distribution of wealth which the governments are yielding billions of naira from oil money and other sources in the country. The people are in regret for not getting things that are necessary for survival, such as meaningful social roles, good education, medical care, food, shelter and network transportation.
Lack of good governance brought poverty among plenty and insecurity. Our economic state has reduced an ordinary Nigeria heart to a state of complete oblivion. All these have left an emptiness of our life, a vacuum that is filled by hostilities. The generality of people have been turned into all forms of slavery, that indicates 90 per cent of Nigeria’s population live below poverty level in bitter and abject misery. By looking at their appearances they have suffered unmitigated hunger and weakness.
So I may ask why else do masses allow the politicians to govern? Why do they give them votes and power over them? It is now we should be careful with false leaders with false ideals. 2007, the most awaited year, has come ushering a new light for change of another political party to take control. We have witnessed the shocks and strains of politics in the past eight years by the ruling party. We have seen the role characters, tunes and dance steps of this party. The success or failure depends on their leadership and the method of their leadership. The overall pass mark is below expectation.
We must learn our lesson from their rule, reorganize our value to overcome and avoid the occurrence of the long period of torture and hardship. Nigeria has 50 political parties and out of these 29 parties have shown up interest to partake in the fight to reclaim power.
It is my honest opinion we need a change of government, we need a change in executing our policies of developments, progress, focus, peace and stability.
Nigeria needs to be like China, Indonesia and India in fast of industries and technological development.
China has achieved more economically because of its self-determination and economic independence, China’s problems in the 40s were 10 times more severe, but today with their high population in the world there is no hunger in China. For the first time its population is united and organized under government as decentralized and representative as a huge modern industrial base society can be.
The current political impasse in Nigeria, the activities of our leaders and attitude all testify unambiguously of the democratic rules. It is necessary in this year the masses should take a fresh look of the danger ahead, by keeping to realistic situation in the country. Of course the present problems in the nation’s politics are a sore. The voters should know everything about a responsible party. Out of this 50 political parties it is necessary to have one with greater glasnost in its programmes, judge all its development objectives and take all actions in a conscious and responsible manner.
In view of this it is necessary to conduct a free and fair election in the country. INEC should not be bias and victimize. I believe this could help to strength its image and prestige among the masses and enhance its role in the society. I am in favour of order and discipline in the country. Political parties must take all necessary steps to halt the process of destabilization and bring things back to normal. Since we have multi-parties system and confused array of different opinions what we need is to do everything we can to make everything to vote the right people as far as they could carry their duties to the people and to the country, honestly and consciously.
SANI MUHAMMAD AHMAD,
Edmedia Consultancy,
Malam Jamo House,
Sabo Bakinzuwo Road,
Tarauni Quarters, Kano.