When it comes to political accomplishments by political leaders in Nigeria, one can’t help but be cynical. Starting with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alhaji Tafawa Belewa through General Gowon and Ironsi adventures to date; we have had governments that have produced political neophytes with developmental abortions or at best maladjusted programs. These untested self styled leaders come into power with barely developed plans or clear agenda.. At the end of their tenure (be they military or civilian) they feed the nation with fantastic plans that are either a smoke screen for self enrichment as was the case with the IBB government through MAMSA and DIFRRI or we are saddled with kindergarten politicians like Shagari and Umaru Dikko whose only ambition is a display of graft and ineptitude. These are square pegs in round holes or round rotten pegs in newly dug round holes! These are disastrous leaders waiting to happen. In other parts of the world, government look out for good programs in one part of the country and replicate such programs at a national level. In Nigeria such worthy emulation would amount to an anathema. The country is never known to replicate programs that worked well in other states within the country. The ‘school to land’ program under Gov. Fidelis Oyakhilome of River state in the mid 80’s comes to mind, such program could have been studied carefully by expert to determine short comings, if any... and perfected for the national stage, sad to say... that program died with the Oyakhilome tenure.
Each time a government, military and/or civilian ascend the throne, they waste time planning only for the next administration to come in and scrap all the plans and start afresh. Why do we, at this stage of our national life, still have to be planning for electricity, water supply and agriculture and other utilities? Can’t we have continuity? Why can’t Ajaokuta function even if it is the only thing that this government achieves? Why can’t we enjoy uninterrupted supply of light for six full months?
Visit some other Africa countries, like Ethiopia, Sudan, even Eritrea and Burundi, they enjoy 24/7/3651/4 days of power supply. Fresh water runs from taps. They have fantastic estates. Good roads and you hardly hear of restructuring of the ministries. The minimum wage is nothing compared to what people earn in Nigeria. The minimum wage in Ethiopia for instance is about $20 yet people are committed. Go to Accra Ghana and see what gives in terms of light and water.
Of course Abuja (as at the time I left in 1992) was something to be proud of, I heard it is better bow(I don’t know if it is still the same or better now, haven’t been there since then) but Nigeria is too big and too rich for us to be proud of just Abuja. Why is it so difficult for us to decentralise power and encourage healthy competition among the states? Why can’t we create more states if that is what it takes to move on? Recently, I was in Port Harcourt and I see another Lagos developing before our very eyes.
The latest announcement by the Yaradua to shake up his cabinet is meant to produce what? What are the excuses for the shake up? Why are they changing the old guard? What is the crime of the old guard? You don’t just change people from job to job without genuine reasons. It has a way of demoralising the workforce. What are these new appointees’ bringing on board that the old ones don’t have? If it is a matter of corruption then someone should go to jail! When Yar Adua was sworn in, we all said Obasanjo has betrayed the country/continent, and then Yara dua took some steps that gave the people hope. From the Diaspora we were excited about the information that Yara adua is a no nonsense austere selfless leader with a mission....we could look other fellow Africans in the face and say ‘our country has taken a turn for the better’, other African nationalties rejoiced with us; knowing that Nigeria’s development meant much for the whole of Africa especially W/Africa. Has the lustre of the office of the presidency robbed the tiger of its tigritude...? The news coming out of Nigeria these days only reflects our seemingly inherent atavistic tendencies! Holy God, what is it with us my people?
We are a unique people with Gods abundant blessing, so God did not create the polity called Nigeria... the Brits led by Lord Lugard and his girl friend did but haven’t we lived together long enough to start looking at this great nation as one indivisible entity with a single fate and a mission? I suspect that our constitution allows for this erratic restructuring of the ministries but I also think that the government should do it with discipline. The excuse for previous change has been lack of performance and bla bla bla; could it be the case this time around? Assuming it is, the question that begs for answer then would be, what was the pedigree of the outgoing ministers before they got the position and how long have they held their post. In what way has this administration proved that they learnt anything from the failure of past government? What are the fundamental shortcomings that warrant a new set of ministers? If we can find answers to these questions then the incoming ministers would know where to make amends.
It is understandable when leaders play politics to get into power (am not saying it is right) but it is pathetic to see people in power play politics with the fate of a nation.
God save Nigeria not from armed robberies and Delta area people. I pray that God should save us from our leaders!
Inaju
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