I do not know Messrs Okey Ndibe, Pius Adesanmi and Femi Fagbenle. I just follow their articles. These guys are an inspiration to me. Okey Ndibe, especially.
There was something about the first article I read in 2013 – Shaping the future you want,by (whoelse) Okey Ndibe. Mr Ndibe no doubt is a seasoned writer. Very fantastic writer and has done some very fantastic articles over the years, but this particular article gave me an idea there was something coming. There was something about the tone of this particular article. I notice I shared something in common with Mr Ndibe, which is optimism about Nigeria. I have always believed that one day Nigeria will be a better place. I also have always believed that for Nigeria to be better, we the masses have to give up the siddon look attitude.
I also read Pius Adesanmi’s I endorse you spectocrat,which linked me to Tunde Fagbenle’s Saying it the way it is; articles that confirmed my suspicion that something was coming.
Now,these guys (along with some others) have decided it is time we held our destiny in our hands. They have decided to spearhead what some of us have craved .We just needed somebody (or people)to lead. Today a movement is born-KICK OUT SIDDON LOOK 2015. This is a movement of progressive minds, not tribalistic and religious bigots. No, not biased minds. The plan according to them is to collect 5million(or more) signatures from the reasonable minds amongst us, in support of a candidate for 2015. Now this movement is not interested in any of the suckers running Nigeria at the moment. This movement believes in Nigeria and the ability of (some) Nigerians to build a better Nigeria.
It is time we started to realize that the change we need has to begin with us. Our attitudes towards Nigeria and happenings in Nigeria has to change to achieve the change we crave.
This movement, I believe is not Occupy Nigeria. Its very different from that.Occupy Nigeria march was a protest against an unpopular government decision.It was not even led by the people,so to speak.The NLC led the march and once they were ‘sorted’ the protest stopped and the same shit we wanted to avoid eating was shoved down our throats,albeit garnished with ketchups.A credible and humane government will not make that kind of decision-a decision that will bring pain and sufferings to the masses.No!If a credible government was in charge in the first place,there would have been no need to occupy Nigeria.That is what this movement is all about. Credible leadership for a better Nigeria.
I have done articles in the past calling for a revolution even way before the Arab spring.During the Arab spring I did another article asking Nigerians if they were watching.I have always believed that we the masses need to do something!Something atleast,to stop this mess we have had in place,called leadership.
Okey and co have started this movement and I have joined.
In 2011,I voted for Muhammed Buhari.Almost everybody I know opted for the current president. They asked why I wanted Buhari as president. I pointed to the man’s credibility. I referred to 1984(even though I was 2 then) when there was sanity in Nigeria, Buhari’s courtesy.The man is not corrupt.Nigeria will not be where she is today if we had men that were not corrupt at the helm of affair.Buhari,would have brought his likes on board.Just to mention a few because of space.When I threw back their question,Nobody had anything to say.Nobody!Nobody knew why they were voting the present president- A man they barely knew.Everybody was just okay with the fact that power was remaining in the south.Nobody had a single genuine reason to vote the man that will rule over them for four years?Crazy!Some people actually went as far as saying ‘dem no wan know’.You no wan know?Seriously?That is our attitude as a people and that has to change,if we want change.
We need to stop acting like governance is their(politicians and the elite)thing. Governance is our thing and should be our thing. We need to take back what is ours .We should be able to control the way we are being ruled.It is time we determined their fate,not the other way.They need to start being answerable to us.Who says our votes cannot count? Votes count in other climes, don’t they? Those living in Ghana and other places where votes count are not aliens. They are people like you and me.
In 2008,the EFCC arrested a politician over an 85billion naira fraud when he was incharge of one of the major parastatals.The same parastatal that has been used to compensate one 80year old man,by this current government.This particular politician was found guilty and subsequently sent to 30 months in jail,although the total sentence added up to 28 years the fact that it had to run concurrently reduced the sentence to 30months.He served his term, and was released.The world did not believe the fanfare that followed this guy’s release.The same Nigerians that were fleeced,the same Nigerians who do not know where their next meal will come from, after they must have spent the one thousand naira they were each given,celebrated a criminals release from jail. Some Nigerians unbelievably celebrated his release. There was even a talk of the town thanksgiving…in Church!Ever seen a thief been celebrated?Its only here!
During his trial in Nigeria, one former governor of one of the Niger delta states, had amazing support from the same people(of the state) who he nearly stole into extinction.Thank goodness he is chilling where he belongs;in a jail cell, albeit abroad.
So many cases like these abound.Why do we choose to celebrate corruption?Why do we encourage these guys to steal us blind?Its time we started protecting our future,not selling it for a mess of pottage.If not for our sake for the future generation.
Don’t you want a credible government that will make decisions that are humane?Decisions that will favour you?Dont you want a government that sincerely cares?A government that does not lie?That will provide for you?Give you constant power supply?I know you do not like it when people die on a daily basis because of bad roads?You definitely hate it when malaria kills your child, because the medical facilities are not just it .I know you feel cheated when your government officials are flown abroad for quality medical attention, while they leave you to rot in sub-standard clinics. You hate the fact that you have graduated and do not have a job for years now.You want a guaranteed future, that I know.I know you hate the fact that our politicians induce religious and tribal wars while they smile to the bank.They allow us kill each other with their families away in foreign lands lounging with your own resources;stolen from you!
You certainly do not like it when you hear a former president of yours was dancing to gangnam style in public after monitoring(and participating in)a flawed election just because he still roams the streets.Roaming the streets because you voted somebody who left him out there and not where he belongs.You know where.
Its time people.It begins with us.Let us be the change we desire.Lets do this.How about starting from somewhere-Join this movement.Join KICKOUT SIDDON LOOK 2015.
Start by following on twitter @siddonlook2015.I just did.
Stand up for your love of country and let us work to make Nigeria great again.
Chiechefulam Ikebuiro
thalynxis@yahoo.ca
08167362942
Follow @thalynxis