SONALA OLUMHENSE FROM PUNCH
Many have seen the video of Nigerian leader Bola Tinubu driving through Lagos Island during the Christmas holiday. It is the perfect story of Nigeria: the powerful leader driving through a throng of people in an avalanche of expensive SUVs. Security officials in suits jog alongside Oga’s bulletproof car.
If you wonder why we are so poor, the answers are in that video. The first image is of an economy, like a postcard, of thousands of people glued together on both sides of the street, frozen each to a spot.
The street is filthy, but that does not matter. The convoy arrives, confused supporters of Oga’s “Renewed Hope” slogan screaming their frustrations into the air. “We’re hungry!”
Inside the car with the hapless jogging officials, it is impossible to tell whether Oga is snarling or smiling. Other reports say that ahead of him, at his residence, crowds are also gathered, day and night, awaiting his largesse. As the extensive convoy finally ends, the crowd breaks into mild tumult, running after it.
In the traditional New Year speech that Nigerian leaders feel compelled to offer to the citizens, Mr. Tinubu acknowledged the anger in the country.
“From the boardrooms at Broad Street in Lagos to the main streets of Kano and Nembe Creeks in Bayelsa, I hear the groans of Nigerians who work hard every day to provide for themselves and their families,” he said.
He cited “the rising cost of living, high inflation which is now above 28 per cent and the unacceptable high under-employment rate,” saying he knows “that some of our compatriots are even asking if this is how our administration wants to renew their hope.”
Then he plunged into cliches and platitudes. “The time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last.
“We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter. The socio-economic challenges of today should energize and rekindle our love and faith in the promise of Nigeria.
“Our current circumstances should make us resolve to work better for the good of our beloved nation. Our situation should make us resolve that this new year 2024, each and every one of us will commit to being better citizens.”
It is something of an irony that at a time that governance and governments have become a heavy burden on the people that a leader suggests that they should stop whining because this is the last time they will suffer.
It began with President Olusegun Obasanjo at his first inauguration in 1999. “You have been asked many times in the past to make sacrifices and to be patient,” he declared.
“I am also going to ask you to make sacrifices, and to exercise patience. The difference will be that in the past sacrifices were made and patience exercised with little or no results.
“This time, however, the results of your sacrifice and patience will be clear and manifest for all to see. With God as our guide, and with 120 million Nigerians working with me, with commitment, sustained effort, and determination, we shall not fail. On my part, I will give the forthright, purposeful, committed, honest and transparent leadership that the situation demands.
“I am determined with your full cooperation, to make significant changes within a year of my administration. Together we shall take steps to halt the decline in the human development indices as they apply to Nigeria. All the impacts of bad governance on our people that are immediately removable will be removed, while working for medium and long term solutions.”
