This week I devote this page to the reactions I received from some of the various readers who responded via different media to my column last week. Evidently readers felt strongly about the absence of positive leadership in Nigeria. A sample of their views is reproduced here.
“Bayo Oba” from Lagos (bayoba1@yahoo.co.uk)
Very interesting article.....as usual!
Why can't an intellectual or University lecturer be president? Let me answer your question with a question. Will an intellectual engage in money rituals? This might seem an absurd and inaccurate comparison/analogy at first glance but think about it again. What is politics in Nigeria today? You risk your life, well-being and family safety for what? Money! What's the difference between this and money rituals? The implication of this is that its mostly people who are desperate enough for the material things derivable from politics in Nigeria today that would be willing to risk having their aged mother kidnapped, or their little kids maimed on their way home from school that would be willing to go into politics and have to contend with the 'Eleweomos' and 'Tokyos' of this world. Why do we have thugs in Nigerian politics? Well, the simple answer is that politics is probably the most profitable sector in Nigeria where thuggery is a highly valued skill set.....and as we were taught in economics, supply will go where the demand is!
Is there a solution? Short term? I don't think so. Long term? Maybe, just maybe and it has to start now! There needs to be a conscious effort to reduce the pecuniary gains from politics, coupled with an empowerment of the electorate through free and fair elections and a movement towards a more accountable political system. These cannot be done overnight, probably not in two full electoral terms as this sort of reform would be fought by a lot of powerful interests. If you were a Senator earning a reported N270 million per annum, you would vote to impeach any tough talking person who vows to close this tap of abundance. This is why the fight cannot be obvious....it must be subtle and gradual. We must take small, calculated steps such that politicians would wake up one day and realise that the people have been empowered and the pecuniary benefits have dried up! When politics becomes a negative return investment, that's when the true patriots and democrats would be interested because the touts, murderers, and thieves would have very little to benefit. In my opinion, an example of a small calculated step would be stopping this absurd practice of voice voting at the national assembly. Constituents should have a record of every single vote by their lawmaker during his term and voice voting deprives the electorate of the chance to evaluate their elected representative. Nothing irks me more than the sound of Mr Mark's voice on the radio saying 'the ayes have it'.
One thing is clear. We need a strong leader with sufficient political capital and savvy to start implementing these small changes. Do any of the current presidential aspirants fit the bill? I personally doubt it. President Jonathan is probably the closest to fitting the bill of the aspirants as he has the advantage of having some political capital and would operate from a position of relative strength if elected by virtue of his incumbency. I am however unsure if he possesses the requisite political will and savvy to drive these changes through. I personally think he has the best interests of Nigeria at heart but is shackled by the system that brought him to power.
I look forward to the days when the Tayo Aderinokuns, Fola Adeolas, Tony Elumelus, Cosmas Madukas, Chuka Esekas and the likes (including your goodself) would dominate our political space. Till then we'll keep generating our power with our private power plants, source water with our private boreholes, contribute money for 'OPC' to secure our homes, refuse to report to the police when we are robbed because they add no value whatsoever and live in hope that things will get better....afterall, hope is the opium of the people!
Femi also in Lagos (femi@artisanlagos.com)
Winging words! I have often wondered as I'm sure many other rational thinking Nigerians have. Here's the real question; why don't you run for office?
Ommy, a US-based Nigeria wrote on my facebook page
“tearful" indeed. I have moved around quite a bit since leaving Nigeria and there is hardly a place I have been that I have not met a Nigerian in a highly exalted place of honour and responsibility (Education, Health and Social Services, Administration, Business...., In my mind I cannot help but wonder why those people cannot do the same thing at home. But then I remember the level of hostility and contempt that such people receive at home. A system based on anything but merit and integrity has been established and it is so defensive and threatened by anything and anyone that will reveal the mediocrity and parochialism behind it
A combination of mass education (and grassroots campaign) of the cost of good governance to the governed. It is definitely not cheap. I am sure you political junkees have these answers (academically) but where is the will? If this was something the average person can do individually or in small groups, there are people out there who will. But this takes intellectual master planning and dedicated implementation across the country by a people armed with the right tools (information). The people are ready, let the leaders arise.
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