IT’S been months after the general election in the country, nine months to be specific. The elected are long sworn into office, the appointed have resumed office and the country is on the go. The defeated are running from Tribunal, Appeal to Supreme Courts to seek redress. If there is a court above the Supreme Court, I am sure they will spend a fortune to go there.
Going to court after election has always been a thing in the country but the wave of political court cases this time is unprecedented. I believe the judges are very happy with times like these. I heard one man in politics say and I quote. “We will meet in court, we will know who they know and they will know who we know”, publicly without fear nor shame.
Ohh I remember, there is neither in Nigeria’s political vocabulary. After all, it is the courts that decide who the winner is and not the voters. Well, this is also the new normal and not a problem for most of us, as many Nigerians don’t even see this as an issue. I have been really alarmed at the recent court judgment, and for once in my adult life, I fear for the judiciary.
Everyone wants power, and they say its so they can make a change, they want to make the country a better place, to provide the best of healthcare services, education, employment, security, empowerment, and yet not a single government or administration has managed to give us that – all we get are promises and failed promises.
All good, that’s what a campaign is after all. Failed and unfulfilled promises, we have now understood that those false promises are just a part of the campaigns, it’s all okay, it was heard, it made people feel good in their delusional minds, and if you believe this promises then you do that at you own peril. I tell you loudly, you are on your own.
Back to the issue, defeated candidates on all levels. We have the serving senator for 12 years, contesting for another term, two-term governors running to their retirement office which is the senate, five-time presidential candidate, all and many more defeated candidates running to court claiming not free and fair election. Agreed it wasn’t fair, but has it ever been fair? Maybe it has, sometime ago.
I used to think billionaire candidates don’t need to be in political offices or so I wonder. Well, power is just different, it hits differently I agree.
With the resources spent on going to court by defeated candidates and those spent by the rich elites wanting power in campaigns and outrageous purchase of party tickets and many other things uncalled for, why can’t the resources be spent on things they promised during their campaigns when in power? Besides, money is not the problem. They have it in abundance for court hearings and campaigns. Why not use the resources to good use, all projects cannot be accomplished but these politicians can make a difference, a big one. And we all know that.
Not being in power doesn’t mean you can’t help develop the nation, besides, there is only one table at the top, it is down here that we are divided by political sentiments and interest. It is Nigeria and its citizens you have at heart, then work together for the betterment of the people. Make a difference, be it at the Local or at the state level, just make an impact. This alone will make people see and know that when you get to power, you will do better.
A presidential candidate has many businesses and investments in Dubai and other countries, why can’t he bring these investments back to Nigeria to create more job opportunities? I hear he has a few in his state, but the indigenes of the state say, those investments don’t even benefit the common man. when will this man make the unemployed heave a sigh of relief?
The Red Cap Revolutionist in Kano did a good job of sending students to foreign schools on scholarship. Good initiative I would say, that will be an opportunity for someone to leave the county for the first time. But why won’t he invest in the education sector so that instead of sending students abroad, foreign students will be brought in to study here. oh I forgot, we are brought up with the mentality of glorifying ‘anything foreign’. And ultimate educational attainment is a foreign certificate.
The Kogi presidential candidate is a successful businessman and left to me has no business being in politics. One can’t stop someone with good intentions. If he wants to make a difference, then he should start with his hometown of Kogi State, that state needs a panel beating, one of the most dilapidated states in the country. Show us what you can do for us with your wealth and we will be convinced you will do more when you get an opportunity to use the nation’s resources.
At this juncture, I will like to stray a bit, I want to call on the young Kano professor and private universities founder and the Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate to take another look at the tuition fee they charge. Its true so many children and parents are free from the shackles of ASUU strikes because of their institutions, a good thing they are commended of, but the prices are outrageous. my dear elders make it a bit affordable or provide colleges of educations that are affordable. It’s business with benefits – I assure you.
I mentioned but a few, very few. I don’t want to bore my readers with the never-ending problem-solution of the country. These people and the likes of them are extending humanitarian aid to their communities, but instead of competing in going to court and spending extravagantly on campaigns, they can do much more than they are doing.
Support the government, Make an impact. If its Nigeria and its best interest you have at heart.
Kabara, is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays.