:::::::::Nigeria Horizon:::::::: Alternative news for national development

Fela Anikulapo Kuti of blessed memory once said that, “a fool na fool no matter the age!”
Nigeria and Nigerians have come of age, we are no fools. How long can we be taken for a ride? People will ride a willing horse to death.
I felt insulted, I don’t know about you, when I read the Yar’Adua, Mark and Bankole’s pronouncements during their New Year messages. They all promised new era and economic development in the New Year! Who believes them, when they did not even believe themselves?

Umaru Ya’dua said among other things "We have already presented an appropriation bill to the National Assembly which clearly underscores our determination to give urgent and serious attention to the task of rehabilitating, expanding and developing our essential national infrastructure to accelerate the pace of growth in all sectors of our national economy”

How many times have we heard this in the past? These people are all lairs. What I detest about them is that, they can’t even tell a good and fool proof lies. How can anybody with a modicum of intelligence tell Nigerians that he has presented an appropriation bill that would translate to rehabilitation and expansion of essential national infrastructure and accelerate the pace of growth? Who are the people who will execute the bill? Where is the structure on the ground? My experience is that, our policy makers would always do the opposite of their pronouncements. Right now, there is no structure to be transformed. All sectors are ghost of what they used to be. Recently, the guy in charge of PHCN (Power Holding Company of Nigeria) just told Nigerians to brace up for new tariffs come 2008, Ya’dua himself promised to increase the oil price again in the new year, our roads are death traps all over the country, hospitals are devoid of able hands, fake drugs awash every drug store, people are dying needless deaths, yet, what we have is all bogus and unrealistic promises of sudden transformation from the blues! The blueprint for development is not on the table, what we have is government that is still budgeting millions of naira for coffee, billions more for car allowance and even more money for party loyalists and machineries in government quarters. Prof. Soludo in his resent statement mentioned the fact that, millions of Nigerians are living below the poverty line. Yet our pernicious leaders are only concern about themselves in their usual avaricious manner. Certainly, this is not the way great economies are built.

We are indeed very far away from transformation! Transformation is something that people planned and worked for, appropriation bill does not bring about transformation on it’s own, people with vision and commitment bring about transformation, is not only a wishful thinking. People get dirty and labour for development to take place.

David Mark in his wisdom through his chief press secretary said “It is the resolve of the current administration to improve all sectors of the economy. This administration is prepared to get it right this time. Our focus is the people. Our people must get priority attention because we are determined to provide the needed ingredients for rapid transformation of the economy."

What pedigree does he have? When Babangida increased the fuel price to a mere 60 kobo during his regime, the students resisted, the same Mark told students then that, why were they fighting, after all, “students don’t own cars”! How many times have they got to get it right? How many governments will it take them to get it right? Now the people should know that the set of leaders we have now are definitely not the avatar we expect, they are not avid about the welfare of the people as they have claimed, in actual fact they are bereft of any progressive ideas. If anything, get real and fight the monster (corruption) in our midst.

When Ya’dua tells you that he believes in the “Rule of Law”, what he’s actually telling you is that, certain people should be protected. He actually meant that, the Iboris, the Kalus, Dariyes etc cannot be treated like ordinary Nigerians. He meant that though we are all equal, but inequality is natural. That is why Ribadu who is on the side of the under-privilege Nigerians who is their tormentor must go. That is why his AGF Chief Michael Aondoakaa is still there despite the fact that all Nigerians have rejected him. What do you expect? All the detained thieves are the benefactors of our president and his AGF, whatever they do to protect them is in the national interest and that is what the so called “Rule of law” all about. The AGF has already said that judging by the fact that Obasanjo’s regime did not get the Senate approval for the second term; therefore, all cases handled by the EFCC since then would be null and void! Guess what, the next joker our AGF will drop is that, all the looters including his benefactors should be let off the EFCC’s hook! The culprits would get back their already confiscated properties back, and then, they would be compensated. That’s “Rule of law”! I have said before that, Aondoakaa will bring this government down. I have lost the little respect I have for this government.

Ya ’dua assured all Nigerians that; the fight against corruption must go on, what a crap! He said on several occasions that there would be no sacred cow; he promised not to shield any corrupt politician! Does anybody believe him? Think again, what do we see unfolding right before our eyes? We have a timid and lassie fair president who appears to be a willing tool in the hands of his godfathers and benefactors to the total neglect of his sacred duties as the president. He remains a prisoner of his legal and illegal advisers. The only virile and effective agency that is making waves in and outside Nigeria is being attacked left right and centre, yet “our caring and incorruptible president” thinks is still golden to keep silent in the face of the war of attrition facing the EFCC. One of the most celebrated Nigerians in person of Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu is being removed rather unceremoniously and with ignominy. This regime should not be allowed to get away with this. If the members of the National Assembly would like to live up to the people’s expectation, they must oppose Okiro’s move vehemently and over-rule the presidency overwhelmingly on this issue. This will endear the National Assembly to the Nigerian populace. This is obviously the war of evil against saint!

I know that Nigerians can be angry that is easy, I have seen that before, Like Aristotle once said, “we have to be angry with the right person and at the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose and in the right way” even though it is not within everybody’s power and is not easy to do this, but for sure, that is what we need to do. We have every reason to be angry with this government. This government is the very opposite of what we need now- too slow to take action, its idiosyncrasy is questionable and it’s lacking in moral rectitude, to get rid of them will be in accordance with the principles of “Rule of law”