I always remember an infamous speech attributed to a classic example of autocratic irony, the equally infamous dictator Idi Amin Dada.
“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.”
I remember it in the sense that he did not deny the existence of freedom of speech; however, there is a subtle threat in the quote.
He who knows, knows!
Now, let’s look at the Nigerian situation regarding the existence of political parties.
The freedom of association, which includes the freedom to belong to political parties, is enshrined in section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
But then…
Water don pass gari!
In a situation where one is not even sure of which opposition is real or which governor will decamp next, would it not be better for the entire opposition to decamp, since they have refused to “oppose” well?
The people have been captured by the ruling cabal in their bid to scramble for the scraps hesitantly left for them by the ruling class.
Tenu ba je, oju ati…
We are enjoying the stomach infrastructure so much that most of us have forgotten our senses at home. If we hadn’t, we would have, instead of thinking of now, been thinking of our children’s future.
Anyway, it would be desirable if we didn’t waste the scarce resources on elections next year. I mean, we already know which party would win.
And, we would continue wallowing in suffering like long-suffering people that we are. We should keep the 1000 naira we are collecting now handy so that it will be useful for the next four years.
Whatever our actions or inactions today will be history tomorrow!
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