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Catch-22 is the title of a satirical novel published on the tenth of November, 1961. It was written by Joseph Heller. The novel is frequently cited as one of the most notable books of the twentieth century.
The term ‘catch-22’ has since been used in English language in reference to a type of unsolvable logic sometimes called a double bind.
A catch-22 situation could be referred to as a paradox.
The political system and politicians in Nigeria could be said to be in a catch-22 situation. By the way, everyone is a politician. This is more so in a Nigeria where people are surprisingly aware of the goings on in the world of politics.
Before ‘the coming came to become ‘ in 1966, to quote a flamboyant politician of that era, Nigeria practised the Westminster political system.
However, certain unfortunate events overtook that. Those events forced the country to be under the jackboots of military dictatorship for so long.
The second republic birthed a presidential system fashioned after the American system of governance. Yes, it was, but minus the accountability.
Before one could finish reciting the alphabet, the military had taken over again. They did, but not without the consent of some civilian collaborators.
That period happened to have enthroned possibly the most sadistic brute in the world. God saw that Nigerians were no match for him and He sent the grim reaper to take the much lesser god away without a shot being fired.
Now came the fifth republic and the presidential system again. Nigerians are now debating whether it is an appropriate system.
Of course, their concerns are very germane given the spendthrift politicians the nation has been unlucky to be burdened with.
That apart, the civil war of 1967 to 1970 made it necessary for the federal government to break the then four regions into twelve states. That move was a logical one and it helped in no small measure to defeat the rebels.
However, the number of states is now a whopping thirty six. If Nigerians had their ways, the number will be over a hundred. This is because left to them every hamlet would want to become a state.
The major reason for the creation of states is for government to be closer to the people.
Now, some politicians are touting for regional government again. The question is, are the reasons for state creation no longer there?
To be sure, many are still demanding for states. At least, I know that Ijebu and Oke Ogun people want states.
The long and short of it is that we, Nigerians, hardly know what we want. That is unfortunate because the world is moving on.
In a world that crude oil is being phased out due to the promotion of electric cars. A world where computers are taking over the work of humans. A world where researches are ongoing to make the life of man better.
If we are yet to determine our system of governance, are we not being left behind?
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