There was a famous politician in pre-independent Nigeria whom the people trusted so much that even if he had committed the most grievous crimes, they were satisfied with his actions.
The Ibadan-based politician once bought a limo; there were grumblings by the opposition.
What did our politician do?
He allowed the people to have their turns riding the car!
Satisfied, the people, backed by drummers, there and then concocted a song:
“Ma kowo wa na
Ma kowo wa na
Igunnu lo ni Tapa
Tapa lo n’Igunnu
Ma kowo wa na!”
The song means:
Spend our money lavishly
Spend our money lavishly
The Igunnu masquerade owns the Tapa
Tapa people own the Igunnu
Spend our money lavishly!
I went into the archives to inform us that Nigerian politicians have been taking advantage of us since the days of Methuselah.
There’s nothing new in it. As long as we get “empowered” before elections, we’ll be waiting for the next round of elections. It’s even economical.
The politicians will then go about driving their SUVs and enjoying themselves until the next round of elections!
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