The Nigerian Government and the foolishness within.

Who is fooling who? By Imhoagene Richard. October 21, 2012.

It is no news that the current political gladiators who roam and operate within the corridors of power have for long administered governance on its people with utmost dishonesty, hypocrisy, and gross aggrandisement. The situation has indeed worsened and has ridiculed the econo-political, socio-economic and socio-political affairs of our dear nation- Nigeria.

Surprisingly, there is a new twist. People who, collectively, have called its subjects fools, have now began to throw foolish stones at themselves. We shall examine two or more controversial issues that have characterised the nation's political sphere in the last five years.

The immediate past administration of deceased President Yar'Adua and his deputy turned president in 2009, promised Nigerians 24hrs electricity by attaining 6000MW before December 31, 2009, the same Government budgeted billions of naira for purchase of Generator sets, its maintenance and diesel for the Government House for the year 2010.
Now, why would the same Government who promised constant power supply be making provision for Generator sets even in Aso Rock?

The ruling party, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in 2007, displayed sheer hanky-panky when it made an unfit man its flag bearer for the highest position in the land. A man with a history of frequent medical appointments and check-ups, and of countless hospital visits both home and abroad. Even as Governor of Katsina state, he was at a time recuperating for 6months outside the country. This is to say that these so-called party leaders and godfathers were fully aware of his state of health but went on with their decision, which some quarters believe was done to fulfil geographical rituals, i.e our brother's turn or our uncle's turn. It is believed that the dictatorial military turned civilian president, "Baba Iyabo" wanted to please the northern sect before finally allowing the South-South a taste of the National cake.

The face-off between the Tambuwal-led House of Representatives and the President, Goodluck Jonathan exposed the level of disregard for due process on the part of these two arms of government. Now, the story goes that Lawan, a member of the house, was implicated in a bribery scandal with Femi Otedola, a business mogul and Chairman of FO oil (formerly, Zenon oil). It is believed that the non-involvement or non-public involvement of the President in covering up the mess of the House, is almost the singular reason for the house's impeachment threat on the president on the claim that he has delayed the implementation of the 2012 budget. What beats us most is the fact that the leadership of the House were invited to the Aso Rock for a closed-door meeting with the president. The result of that meeting is still unclear. But why would both the executive and legislative arms of government treat such an important issue as that of impeachment as a matter of personal differences? Except it is in the real sense.

The question again is "who is fooling who?" It is bad enough that the Government of Nigeria would result to deceiving the people in a bid to call them fools, it is worse that they now display foolishness among themselves, which is total ridicule in the eyes of the international community. The good thing is Nigeria now takes pleasure in sitting back, and watch them embarrass themselves locally and internationally. The President in his Speech at the Independence Day service at the Christian Ecuminical centre in Abuja, stated on National television that Nigeria was ranked second by Transparency International in the fight against corruption, only for Nigerians to be greeted a few days later by the "BIG LIE" the President had said. In their reaction, the Government foolishly said that the story was lifted from a local newspaper, when it wouldn't have taken five minutes to confirm such a story.

What Nigerians need is a total over-hauling of the entire structure of Government. The mental framework of those who govern us is faulty, and this tells negatively on their decisions in government. We can only hope for that day when home shall be home again, and we can indeed be proud of our leaders.

About Author / Additional Info:
I am a Nigerian-born Writer with a keen interest in socio-political issues.