Nonplussed was the word that described what I felt when I read the ode of many political columnists on Thisday Newspaper on Abba Kyari. After also reading statements by Geoffrey Onyeama, Femi Fani Kayode, and Reno Omokri, I almost contracted the prevailing infectious insanity. It was the insight of seasoned and fearless thinkers like Bolaji Akinyemi and Buba Galadima that halted my brainwashing. For those who have forgotten, a chief of staff is often the engine room of an administration especially with someone like President Muhammadu Buhari. So, he is a key part of the decision making that has made Nigeria to retrogress deeply in the last 5 years. He is part of the decision making that has prevented the sacking of the service chiefs whose incompetence has strengthened Boko Haram in his region of origin and killed many civilians and military personnel. The list goes on and on, yet Fani Kayode, Omokri and co, want us to believe this is a man worth celebrating.
My second thought after reading the glowing tributes was that Omokri and co would have written similar homilies for Hitler’s most loyal lieutenant because he was loyal to Adolf Hitler whose leadership killed about 6 million Jews. One of our problems in this part of the world is our short memories. Therefore, crafty lairs like Nasir El Rufai and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi would be elected or selected to become governor and emir, respectively. Therefore, chameleon activists like Femi Falana are still taken seriously. This is also why tomorrow, Festus Keyamo might run for governorship in Delta State and Deltans will forget that he was the Gani Fawhehimi’s mentee who accepted the role of praise singer for a Muhammadu Buhari.
It has been said a people get the leadership they deserve. I used to question the wisdom in this statement until lately. You will remember, one of the true best of us – Wole Soyinka, endorsed this former military dictator for the presidency. You will remember the most respected Pastor in Nigeria allowed his son to be the vice president of a hostile Islamist. You will also remember that we have all forgotten Leah Sharibu. This is what we have become, a careless callous nation where nobody cares about anybody. We are all concerned about cornering our portion of the national cake that is becoming worthless. We are all sleeping, and until we wake up, this potential giant of the Black race will continue to disgrace the race we are supposed to elevate.
Ata Ukuta – Editor, www.towncryyers.com
Comment ~ Like ~ Share
There is a sound for every word. Every word can be verbalised but not every word can be written. I say this because there is a long sigh/hiss on my lips and all the words and signs with which I have seen it been described do not fit it. We as citizens have refused to appreciate our worth and have decided to settle for nothing not even for less. The thought line of the writer was the purport of my post on Facebook two days ago
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW
I guess you know that we have 36 Governors plus Minister of the FCT, 44 Ministers, probably 774 Local government chairmen, 469 Senators and members of the House of Reps. All these leaders put together are not up to 1% of the population of Nigeria. Imagine a group of persons not up to 0.5% of our population determining the course of events in our nation. The truth is the led grossly outnumber the leaders but the leaders have more authority but only because the populace have so empowered them. There is great power and strength in numbers. Authority gains relevance from a place of power. Leaders have authority and the populace have power. So we can demand for accountability. When we ask for accountability, our leaders should know that it is the citizen’s right and every good employer is entitled to same for the smooth running of the establishment It is our entitlement. Leaders are servants of the people, leaders are employees of the people. So when we ask how, why, when and where, they do not do us a favor by responding, it is only a performance of their duties and it is the entitlement of the people.
I agree.