A CLEAR TOMORROW

A short while after the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt plus the ripple effects across the Arab world, so many people have mouthed the possibility of same happening in Nigeria. Some I have heard and ignored, some I have debated the possibilities.

I have previously mentioned that there are lessons to learn from these events; one of such lessons which may appear irrelevant is that there is a proof that such movement can be built. A fact that people can actually rise against their leaders and make demands way beyond the imaginations of the leaders has been proven.

This particular piece is informed by a quick succession of events in the last one week and I just have this feeling that some reference be made to them for the benefit of history. I actually have written about one but its relevance has made it yet another issue to be mentioned.

Bode George’s return from prison above all things confirms his status as an ex-convict who in my humble opinion should still be held in close doors to help him properly reintegrate into the system he left two years ago.

His return and the fiesta that greeted it would not have bothered me if I were to consider only the old men and women who were mobilised to dance around with an ex-convict. They, the old folks, are a clear representation of how they spent their youthful days; hence, the provider of the red oil and salt that has been sustaining them sure deserves a welcome. I am less concerned about the rented thugs, that is about what they are alive doing.

If for any reason, I would have to think about revolution, these set of people would not even cross my mind as comrades. I have never mistaken joining issues with them; it would end up leaving a bitter taste in one’s mouth and amount to sheer waste of time and human resources.
My pain is informed by the set of people who have a semblance of what could be readily transformed into future leaders also joining this shameful dance in public glare.

One major prerequisite of revolution is a people bound by a collective aspiration whose energy is fuelled by the government’s irresponsibility and goal is guided by the belief they share. A people not bothered by colour, accent or ethnical divide. A people singing the same chorus even at the point of death, yet marching ahead. Sadly, that is not what we are. As a matter of fact, we are all that is anti-revolution. So, thinking of Egypt, Tunisia or Libya and at the same time thinking Nigeria is scoring low the ideologies and resolution of these great people of history.
I have seen young men of sane mind defend the celebration of Bode George’s return and that to me tilts our future to the rotten end of the lever. Every man has his right to opinions but certain things would just not need extra explanation before it is hastily wrapped and dumped into the trash can of history. This is another challenge for those who have long abandoned participation and allowed shenanigans to take the stage and call the shots.

President Jonathan Goodluck for the record time has shown afterall that he doesn’t stand for anything in particular. This is a man who would argue he wants to combat corruption celebrating corruption. Bode George in his words has attended the University of Life, referring to his experience behind bars and it is only reasonable to expect he gets a certificate from the President in form of a state pardon so that he might again be put in an office.

This cycle is almost as sure as tomorrow’s sunrise, what manner of future then are we looking at, why do we have to fold our arms and make these individuals take us for a ride?
What sensible leader would choose to hold a rally on a working day like Tuesday? Of course, a leader that knows he has enough unemployed youths to mobilise. Both the ACN who held some form of rally at the following centres; Teslim Balogun Stadium, Volkswagen, Gbagada and Agege Stadium and PDP, who chose Tafawa Balewa Square, are culpable. It is a reflection of insensitivity.

They wouldn’t have expected lawyers who had one or two matters in court or doctors who should be checking on patients or even artisans whose workshop are busy to grace those rallies. They had a clear understanding of the character of people attending.

Traffic diversion was enforced and a major part of the road cordoned because Mr. President was going to drive through those roads. While I have great regards for security protocols, I feel they should be observed when appropriate and not when GEJ is coming to celebrate Bode George. I am not sure Mr. President has an idea of how much man hours he wasted today in Lagos as a result of traffic and its attendant implication on the country’s GDP, I can bet he doesn’t.
We have to make a decision as to what kind of future we intend to set for our children. It is quite clear that the gains of doing the right thing may not necessarily be enjoyed by this generation but our names shall be written in the gold ink as people who stood by and for the truth.

We cannot pretend all is well when it’s obviously not. Mr. President should have spent time to visit hospitals to see his people dying as a result of poor facilities. He should have gone to schools to access the rot in the system. That is however not meant to be. All these have nothing to do with good luck but a strict sense of servant leadership and administration.
We also should not close our eyes to the fact that the current elitist civil rule would only pitch common men against one another doing the bids of the warlords. Let’s not be misled into the lies that one party is better off; individuals have to an appreciable extent been able to stand out and not parties.

Until elections and office holding in established based on merit and not material possessions, we can only talk and talk, change won’t come.
On the final note, I hope to once again emphasise that what would solve the Nigeria problem of unemployment, insecurity, lack of infrastructures, lack of qualitative delivery health care services and all others has nothing to do with good luck but pragmatic programs that represent truly the thinking process of our leaders and not the over plagiarised booklet they call manifestoes.

With these crop of people warming up to continue ruling, we should by now have a clear picture of what out tomorrow would be.

For me and those who care to listen, it is NO WAY TO FRAUD AND POWER ABUSE.

God bless Nigeria.

STOP PRESS:

I saw a poster along CMS/Apogbon tagging Bode George the Joseph of our time. Are we now not sure how much trouble we are in?