By the People's Bishop Kenneth Obi
The Nigerian leaders have remained corrupt because the people have refused to take the right action. If Nigeria had people who are conscious enough and daring, organized corruption would have ceased. Corruption is like an atomic bomb – it is capable of destroying everything that has contact with it as well as wreak transgenerational havoc if not stopped. Little wonder why the roads are in disrepair, the public schools have become warehouses, the general hospitals are a no go area for anyone who wants to live long and why the entire system appears to have collapsed.
While there is extreme poverty, hunger and hardship in the country, President Buhari has allegedly approved ₦37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly that was said to be built for ₦7 billion. Even if Nigeria had experience recession in the past and even if inflation had hit the market between when the building was erected and now, ₦37 billion just for renovation is a scam. Are they building a new one? Even at that, ₦37 billion is surreal except the building materials will be gold.
Anyway, the new development does not surprise me because I am already used to the character of Nigerian political leaders. They are “kleptocrats” and it will take 50 years of deliverance to successfully exorcise the spirit of greed that is at work in them. However, I am surprised that Nigerians have reduced themselves to parrots and barking bulldogs on social media since the news was broken –when by now, they should have organized themselves and peacefully converge at the presidential villa or National Assembly until Buhari withdraws the approval. If something similar happened in saner climes, by now, the people would have come out in large numbers to hold those culpable accountable. And not to keep whining on Tweeter.
Meanwhile, I do not challenge the fact that Social Media can be a useful advocacy tool especially if those targeted are directly active in any of the platforms –like Donald Trump who manages his Tweeter account himself– but beyond rants that will only end on Tweeter and Facebook, Nigerians need to take action. It may not even immediately be a well-organized peaceful protest because the leaders have developed a “steel skin” that will not allow them to shift their position. In other words, no amount of protest will change the heart of President Buhari and his allies except if it is fashioned after the one that compelled Hosni Mubarak to step down. It will take 130 million conscious Nigerians to do this kind of regime-sacking protest.
But since the number of conscious people in the country is not up to this and any protest now may not cause a great impact, Nigerians have the right to bottle up their anger and keep it safe somewhere until the day of elections. There is no right action that is greater than punishing failed leaders at the polling booths. This beats ranting on the Social Media and ineffective protest any day.
Unfortunately, this is not the first that the leaders are taken Nigerians for granted. But because they only react on Social Media, the leaders have now made it a habit to take them for granted. If Nigerians had taken action against the jumbo pay of the Senate or the riotous living of some of the leaders before now, President Buhari would have thought twice before he gave his approval.
Funnily enough, many of the people ranting now on Social Media will forget about the ₦37 billion “scam” before the next election. They will even be the ones to defend their oppressors and attack those that intend to liberate them. This kind of let us just talk or rant attitude on Social Media will never produce any significant change in Nigeria. Serious change can only be done through the ballot box –which means Nigerians must be ready to put aside sentiment and vote for the right candidates in the next election. Otherwise, they will continue to rant on Social Media and nothing will happen, while the leaders will continue to enjoy.
Following the burial of Mr. Corruption March 23rd 2019 by members of Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice, Nigerians are called to wake up from Slumbering for a Better Nigeria.
Sharing is caring please kindly forward others.
The Nigerian leaders have remained corrupt because the people have refused to take the right action. If Nigeria had people who are conscious enough and daring, organized corruption would have ceased. Corruption is like an atomic bomb – it is capable of destroying everything that has contact with it as well as wreak transgenerational havoc if not stopped. Little wonder why the roads are in disrepair, the public schools have become warehouses, the general hospitals are a no go area for anyone who wants to live long and why the entire system appears to have collapsed.
While there is extreme poverty, hunger and hardship in the country, President Buhari has allegedly approved ₦37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly that was said to be built for ₦7 billion. Even if Nigeria had experience recession in the past and even if inflation had hit the market between when the building was erected and now, ₦37 billion just for renovation is a scam. Are they building a new one? Even at that, ₦37 billion is surreal except the building materials will be gold.
Anyway, the new development does not surprise me because I am already used to the character of Nigerian political leaders. They are “kleptocrats” and it will take 50 years of deliverance to successfully exorcise the spirit of greed that is at work in them. However, I am surprised that Nigerians have reduced themselves to parrots and barking bulldogs on social media since the news was broken –when by now, they should have organized themselves and peacefully converge at the presidential villa or National Assembly until Buhari withdraws the approval. If something similar happened in saner climes, by now, the people would have come out in large numbers to hold those culpable accountable. And not to keep whining on Tweeter.
Meanwhile, I do not challenge the fact that Social Media can be a useful advocacy tool especially if those targeted are directly active in any of the platforms –like Donald Trump who manages his Tweeter account himself– but beyond rants that will only end on Tweeter and Facebook, Nigerians need to take action. It may not even immediately be a well-organized peaceful protest because the leaders have developed a “steel skin” that will not allow them to shift their position. In other words, no amount of protest will change the heart of President Buhari and his allies except if it is fashioned after the one that compelled Hosni Mubarak to step down. It will take 130 million conscious Nigerians to do this kind of regime-sacking protest.
But since the number of conscious people in the country is not up to this and any protest now may not cause a great impact, Nigerians have the right to bottle up their anger and keep it safe somewhere until the day of elections. There is no right action that is greater than punishing failed leaders at the polling booths. This beats ranting on the Social Media and ineffective protest any day.
Unfortunately, this is not the first that the leaders are taken Nigerians for granted. But because they only react on Social Media, the leaders have now made it a habit to take them for granted. If Nigerians had taken action against the jumbo pay of the Senate or the riotous living of some of the leaders before now, President Buhari would have thought twice before he gave his approval.
Funnily enough, many of the people ranting now on Social Media will forget about the ₦37 billion “scam” before the next election. They will even be the ones to defend their oppressors and attack those that intend to liberate them. This kind of let us just talk or rant attitude on Social Media will never produce any significant change in Nigeria. Serious change can only be done through the ballot box –which means Nigerians must be ready to put aside sentiment and vote for the right candidates in the next election. Otherwise, they will continue to rant on Social Media and nothing will happen, while the leaders will continue to enjoy.
Following the burial of Mr. Corruption March 23rd 2019 by members of Citizens for Righteousness and Social Justice, Nigerians are called to wake up from Slumbering for a Better Nigeria.
Sharing is caring please kindly forward others.
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