Date Published: 01/12/10

Nigeria and its weak Political class By Joshua Ocheja jocheja@yahoo.com

The political class of any nation to a large extent determines the level of development it can record over a period of time. The economic predicament of Nigeria can be attributed to the nature and practice of politics and government, and the collapse of the economy.  These are attributed to bad governance and its consequences, establishing a political system capable of ensuring opportunities for the people to participate in the decision making process and in economic production and distribution is of huge importance, if we must move forward as a nation and as a people. 

The task, among others, is to bring about a new political culture, which, like a veritable fountainhead, will bring forth a suitable, strong and dynamic economy and polity.  Such arrangement will enable us to harness the human and natural resources of Nigeria towards building a cohesive and self-reliant society.

This essay might elicit either laughter or tears, depending largely on which side of the divide you belong to. Is Nigeria a cursed nation? A question that has been battling for relevance in my mind, God forbid I kept reassuring myself and at a point, I saw a symbol that reminds me of the coat of arm, sinking into what looks like a quick sand.

The nation is battling for unity and survival, occasioned by a weak political class, mainly comprising of selfish people that views the citizenry from a disdainful perspective. we might not understand the enormity of the challenge at hand until it gets out of control. Those saddled with the responsibility of preserving our unity and cultural heritage have put sentiments and selfish interest at the fore front.

The everyday life in Nigeria is laced with difficulties, for the ordinary man and woman on the streets.  It’s even more pathetic to realize that we have the resources in abundance, yet a large chunk of the citizenry wallow in abject poverty and untold hardship.

Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb at the moment; these people are playing with the destinies of over 139 million people, excluding Farouk Abdulmutallab. The constitution is clear as to when the vice president should step in as acting president in order not to run government business to a halt, but instead, the polity is been polarized by some people I label enemies of the state, sheep’s in wolves clothing’s.

This brings to the forefront the type of political class that is present in Nigeria, a political class that is weak and confused, even Yar’adua will be laughing at the political class if given an insight into the affairs of the country he left behind.

Selfish interest is the bane of their predicament, nobody wants to be caught unawares, and hence people that are supposed to act are dragging their feet, and systematically avoiding entering the bad books of the president, pledging a picture of loyalty to party lines and Mr. President.

Ordinarily, I did not intend to comment any more on this commonsensical issue, but I made a detour, when I read on one vibrant online news site that majority of state Governors have rejected the Vice President, claiming that they do not trust him to govern the country. This is the height of madness if you ask me, I mean the constitution is explicit on this matter, the constitution did not lay emphasis on the issue of governors and trust, the constitution does not permit inputs from governors, the constitution is clearly spelt out for all and sundry to see, which in the case of a vacuum, the legislative arm of government is expected to invoke the relevant constitutional sections and the judiciary is supposed to implement it.

Nigeria is really a joke, the case is always different in this country; must someone out there play politics all the time? This simple issue describes the caliber of people we have lined up as leaders, selfish interest towering far above national interest. This is sad and unthinkable that at this stage of our existence we cannot differentiate our right from left.

If we must be honest with ourselves, Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing item in the world over. We have been labeled a terrorist nation, we have been labeled a corrupt nation, we have also been labeled a confused nation and someone dare say Nigeria Good People Great Nation?

Hmm Good people Great Nation indeed! Nigeria, what a pathetic situation we have found ourselves. For the records, I have suddenly developed insomnia, I just can’t sleep, why should I sleep? What am I sleeping for? When there is fire on the mountain. What do we do? How did we find ourselves in this situation and all manner of question are begging for relevance in my head.

Lexsotan tablets cannot give me sleep, only good governance can give me sleep and the implication of sleeplessness is left to be imagined than told. The Nigerian nation is equally suffering from insomnia, God forbid that we use our own hands to cause our downfall.

We are tired of the Nigerian life; we are tired of hypocrisy and display of sentiments in the conduct of issues of national interest by a political class that has refused to rise up to the challenges at hand.

Like I mentioned above, this essay might elicit laughter or tears and as for me, its tears that have continued to run nonstop. I have not lost faith in this country; because I know that one day we shall overcome our self inflicted challenges.

At this point, I guess Nigeria: the best is still possible, ought to replace Nigeria Good People Great Nation!