SPARE US THIS CALAMITY OH LORD! A cold shudder ran through my spine late Friday night, after INEC’s announcement of the timetable for the 2015 elections. It literally means the end of the Jonathan administration. In this transition period, the government will certainly become lame duck. My fear is that we are transiting to nowhere. There is no sign of life in this country anymore. I see bows and arrows everywhere. And gloomy faces. Unprecedented poverty and frustration levels. What passes for governance has been the silencing of 99.99 per cent of the population by a tiny minority sustained by instruments of coercion and overflowing oil wealth. Almost everyone else is angry – and grumbling. And someone says he is preparing to hold elections? It pays to be timid at a time like this, you know. The holy book is right: the meek shall inherit the earth. When those who are building war chests confront one another – and then annihilate one another – the meek shall emerge from their cocoons and occupy what is left of the earth. Another proverb puts it this way: “The bravest soldier is the one that saved his life.” About 12 years ago, Obasanjo regaled us with “I see hope”. Where is that hope in 2014? The only lucrative “business” left in Nigeria today is the business of government. That’s why all the second-term governors are aspiring to be senators. [I say ALL because I’ve not heard of an exception] Those of them that have not yet been “conscripted” by the gods or their people are hoping to become presidential candidate or presidential running mate. So there is nothing else our “performing” governors can do outside of government? None hopes to set up an industry that can employ people. They are not willing to take chances on doing business under the wonderful environment they have created while in office. Going to the Senate will be a retirement benefit: no stress, no worry, easy cash. Just as we have seen since the National Assembly resumed last week – after a deserved long break. “You’re a fool!” one senator bellowed at another. “You’re stupid!” the other replied, as they nearly came to blows. In the lower chamber, the contest was over the designation of one “honourable member” as deputy minority leader instead of deputy majority leader. Then, the president sent in lists of his ministerial nominees and service chiefs for confirmation. And the opposition APC directed its members to block passage of any bill from the presidency, including the 2014 budget, until the man-made crisis in Rivers State was solved. Those are the things that will occupy our leaders’ attention for the next several weeks. Or just before each politician returns to his constituency to prepare for war. Even the famous Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that should be a major achievement of this regime may receive little attention. The debate over Budget 2014 may consume much time, yet it’s all hot air – it’s not meant to be implemented. I’ve not seen a more lawless nation. While these plutocrats quarrel over nothing, the rest of us watch helplessly. If you can’t beat them, join them? We can’t beat them but we can’t even join them. You can only join them when you are ready to be “groomed” in the art of Nigerian politics. Being a godson or a goddaughter entails campaigning, fighting and rigging election for your godfather, the only one that can raise (from banks, if need be) the hundreds of millions and billions needed to fight an election. INEC itself has put ceilings on campaign funds thus: N500m for president, N200m for governor, N50m for senator, N40m for rep. Each overspends his limit by 300 to 1, 000 per cent; INEC has never caught an offender. Yet, the legitimate income of each in one term (four years) is far less than his spending limit. Who is fooling whom? The unhidden truth is that the politicians are supposed to amass wealth once they get into office. It’s not a crime to steal in Nigeria, and that’s why no big thief ever goes to jail here. Although we have endured this tribulation right from the Obasanjo era, I don’t think the country can take it anymore. Nigeria is bleeding from the nose, mouth and anus because a rapacious, lazy and unproductive elite has descended on its common wealth. In spite of the fact that crude oil has been fetching upwards of $105 per barrel, the Excess Crude Account has been exhausted and our foreign reserves are less than they were in 2007. The level of unemployment now is unprecedented: 70-80 per cent! Appointment letters are delivered only to those who can pay huge bribes (at least N500, 000) to a syndicate or are recommended by senators, governors, ministers or directors in MDAs. Businesses are not hiring because they can’t survive without depending on government. A more corrupt and undisciplined nation does not exist. There’s enough reason, therefore, to fear that, if we carry this baggage into another round of elections, Nigeria won’t survive. The stakes are too high. Everyone is seeking political power because it is the only sanctuary left in these days of terrorist activities, kidnapping and other violent crimes. Only those in government do not pay for security from their pockets. Outside the government is hell. The calamity we envisage is already uncomfortably close. But one last intervention, I believe, is the national conference expected to kick off by March. We should remain grateful to those that advised President Jonathan to accept it. As a nation, we can’t even afford to let the confab fail. I expect the conferees to make recommendations that will nullify the 2015 elections and provide soft landing for the president and other officeholders. Under a new constitution, they should be asked to stay on until October 1, 2015, but none of them would be eligible to run again. We may have a weak centre and strong zones or regions. Let all those that are raising hell because of Jonathan’s “perceived ambition” go to the conference and stop him there. Otherwise, they should shut up! I see a contradiction in opposing the conference and yet asking the president to leave. Under the current constitution, he has a right to seek re-election. And, if those asking him to voluntarily relinquish power were in his shoes, would they? Are they not the ones keeping senatorial tickets for themselves, making ways for their wives and children, and planting cronies in lucrative government positions? If we leave things as they are, there can’t be free and fair elections. And winners must emerge by hook or crook. Post-election rioters can only harm innocent, poor Nigerians. They can’t overthrow the government – properly elected or not – in 2015.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 06:57:00 +0000
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