Photo credit: BBC
I have always refused to blame individual rulers of Nigeria for the near total lack of good governance in the country. This is because I fervently believe the saying that a people deserves its ruling class.
When one looks at the available resources vis-a-vis the population of Nigeria, I’m always of the view that Nigerians are a very ungrateful set of people. This is because God has been faithful to Nigerians in all ways. In fact, I believe God is a Nigerian!
However, who are Nigerians?
They are people who enjoy being raped serially. In fact they so much enjoy being raped that they reach orgasm while being defiled.
I have searched and I am still searching but I am yet to find a cure for Nigeria’s infirmity. I mean enjoying while being raped. Serially too!
However, I’m suspecting it is our refusal to live up to ideals. Most of us are looking at the seats of power like common thieves. We would love to get there not for what we can do for the people but because we want to steal our share of the national cake.
And that brings us to the crux of the matter. Positive norms and values are absent in this country. Since we have refused to imbibe things that make a people extraordinary,we are falling for unworthy things.
The race for the state house is now for the highest bidder. Of course, a normal person will not be able to afford the abnormal amounts needed to go into the state house. The door is now open for godfathers.
The godfathers are businessmen who know their onions. They dangle government positions before usually unknown candidates. Of course, they do it for a price.
Meanwhile, the people see nothing wrong in the despicable act. They usually see it as a business deal.
They are even paid a pittance for selling their conscience. Some get things as ridiculous as bathroom slippers. Only a few of them get substantial things. The few are the Mafiosos. They are people who could dine comfortably with the devil.
However, once the price has been paid and the candidate is selected rather than elected, the people’s ordeals begin. It is therefore no surprise that our needs have hardly changed from the most basic of things like water, light, food and house.
We hear government budgets for these things year in year out. Monies are allocated for them and that ends the story. The money is involved in an accident of embezzlement. The projects have to wait till the next financial year and history is made to repeat itself.
There is a saying in yoruba that means once you’ve eaten you dare not talk. Since the people have been paid, they become dadandindin (fools).
Or better, they learn to enjoy being raped!
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