June 30, 2010
The decision to write this essay was a difficult one, but not because of the absence of issues of national importance in Nigeria. Rather, my indecision stems from the abundance of several serious issues that I do not know where to start from. In devoting this essay to an important issue in the Nigerian public space, the theme of corruption readily comes to mind and it is to this malaise that I would devote the rest of this piece.
The decision to write this essay was a difficult one, but not because of the absence of issues of national importance in Nigeria. Rather, my indecision stems from the abundance of several serious issues that I do not know where to start from. In devoting this essay to an important issue in the Nigerian public space, the theme of corruption readily comes to mind and it is to this malaise that I would devote the rest of this piece.
Nigeria woke up a few weeks ago to the cat and dog affair going on in the House of Representatives. But I am not impressed because I am certain that this is the case of thieves who have breached their initial contractual agreement. I remember vividly when the radical lawyer, Festus Keyamo, drew attention to the financial profligacy of the Dimeji Bankole led House of Representatives. But the learned gentleman was reminded of his illiteracy and asked to keep quiet. Instead, the legislooters passed a vote of confidence on the leader of their criminal gang. Surprisingly, Dino Melaye and his so called progressives had to wait until they fell out with their leader on how to share their loot before realizing that Bankole is a thief. Unfortunately, Nigerians have refused to fall for their bait this time. Instead, we continue to watch their absurd theatre with interest. After all, is it not our elders that say that a child who vows that his/her parents will not sleep must be ready to forfeit his/her sleep? For the criminals who rigged themselves into the House of Representatives, know that this is the beginning of your series of problems and I wish you the best as you swim in the tide that you created. And since we are religious people who believe in the efficacy of prayers, I pray that my prophecy comes true.
In reflecting on the Bankole saga, the case of the former chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, is worthy of illumination. Ogbulafor recently resigned his position as Chairman of the supposedly largest party in Africa, and he is currently facing trial for financial impropriety he committed as a Minister under Obasanjo’s watch as Nigerian President. Of course, several commentators have dismissed Ogbulafor’s travails as politically motivated to enable President Jonathan take control of the party. But since I do not wish any of these greedy politicians well, I will not grieve more than the bereaved. Rather, the lesson for us all is that no matter how long it takes, every minute brings the day of reckoning near. If Ogbulafor could kiss the dust in 2010 for an offence allegedly committed in 2001, it gives me hope that justice will prevail regardless of how long it takes. Bankole and his co-travellers on the road of corruption should visit Bode George in order to ascertain how cold and lonely it is in Kirikiri.
Having said this, I am still waiting for President Jonathan’s take on the issue of corruption. He has tried in the attempt to seize every moment to remind Nigerians that there will not be any sacred cow under his watch. But Mr President, Obama did not pass the contentious health care reform by a mere use of rhetoric. Rather, he translated his words into action. Likewise, it is not enough for Jonathan to mouth the anti-corruption mantra. He should spend more time prosecuting those who continue to play chess games with our collective destiny.
In fact, I am concerned about these vagabonds because ignoring them empowers them to continue to insult our psyche. For instance, Ibrahim Babangida and his acolytes (of course we know them) continue to traverse around Nigeria and telling anybody who cares to listen how his candidature for Nigerian presidency is the best bet for the nation. I must admit that Babangida and his political jobbers and nonentities reserve the right to contest elections, but I strongly believe that the ongoing insult of our sensibilities would not be occurring if Babangida was resting in one remote prison for ruining Nigeria under his watch.
So, Jonathan should demonstrate his resolve to fight corruption. And one way not to fight corruption is conferring the award of the Commander of the Federal Republic to the disgraced former speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh. Similarly, if corruption must be fought, Jonathan should not continue to fraternize with the Haliburton scandal suspects while saner nations prosecute their citizens involved in the same scam. To conclude, let me note that a society that encourages criminals should anticipate the replication of these criminal tendencies, because the youths will believe that crime pays. Yes, if our politicians are rewarded with national honors for milking us dry, who will not wish to join the macabre dance going on in the Nigerian political space? For me, I will continue to pray the criminals in the Nigerian political space do not stop. May they meet their waterloo soon.
Nigeria woke up a few weeks ago to the cat and dog affair going on in the House of Representatives. But I am not impressed because I am certain that this is the case of thieves who have breached their initial contractual agreement. I remember vividly when the radical lawyer, Festus Keyamo, drew attention to the financial profligacy of the Dimeji Bankole led House of Representatives. But the learned gentleman was reminded of his illiteracy and asked to keep quiet. Instead, the legislooters passed a vote of confidence on the leader of their criminal gang. Surprisingly, Dino Melaye and his so called progressives had to wait until they fell out with their leader on how to share their loot before realizing that Bankole is a thief. Unfortunately, Nigerians have refused to fall for their bait this time. Instead, we continue to watch their absurd theatre with interest. After all, is it not our elders that say that a child who vows that his/her parents will not sleep must be ready to forfeit his/her sleep? For the criminals who rigged themselves into the House of Representatives, know that this is the beginning of your series of problems and I wish you the best as you swim in the tide that you created. And since we are religious people who believe in the efficacy of prayers, I pray that my prophecy comes true.
In reflecting on the Bankole saga, the case of the former chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, is worthy of illumination. Ogbulafor recently resigned his position as Chairman of the supposedly largest party in Africa, and he is currently facing trial for financial impropriety he committed as a Minister under Obasanjo’s watch as Nigerian President. Of course, several commentators have dismissed Ogbulafor’s travails as politically motivated to enable President Jonathan take control of the party. But since I do not wish any of these greedy politicians well, I will not grieve more than the bereaved. Rather, the lesson for us all is that no matter how long it takes, every minute brings the day of reckoning near. If Ogbulafor could kiss the dust in 2010 for an offence allegedly committed in 2001, it gives me hope that justice will prevail regardless of how long it takes. Bankole and his co-travellers on the road of corruption should visit Bode George in order to ascertain how cold and lonely it is in Kirikiri.
Having said this, I am still waiting for President Jonathan’s take on the issue of corruption. He has tried in the attempt to seize every moment to remind Nigerians that there will not be any sacred cow under his watch. But Mr President, Obama did not pass the contentious health care reform by a mere use of rhetoric. Rather, he translated his words into action. Likewise, it is not enough for Jonathan to mouth the anti-corruption mantra. He should spend more time prosecuting those who continue to play chess games with our collective destiny.
In fact, I am concerned about these vagabonds because ignoring them empowers them to continue to insult our psyche. For instance, Ibrahim Babangida and his acolytes (of course we know them) continue to traverse around Nigeria and telling anybody who cares to listen how his candidature for Nigerian presidency is the best bet for the nation. I must admit that Babangida and his political jobbers and nonentities reserve the right to contest elections, but I strongly believe that the ongoing insult of our sensibilities would not be occurring if Babangida was resting in one remote prison for ruining Nigeria under his watch.
So, Jonathan should demonstrate his resolve to fight corruption. And one way not to fight corruption is conferring the award of the Commander of the Federal Republic to the disgraced former speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh. Similarly, if corruption must be fought, Jonathan should not continue to fraternize with the Haliburton scandal suspects while saner nations prosecute their citizens involved in the same scam. To conclude, let me note that a society that encourages criminals should anticipate the replication of these criminal tendencies, because the youths will believe that crime pays. Yes, if our politicians are rewarded with national honors for milking us dry, who will not wish to join the macabre dance going on in the Nigerian political space? For me, I will continue to pray the criminals in the Nigerian political space do not stop. May they meet their waterloo soon.
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