Nigeria, here comes your ‘messiah’

FOLA OJO FROM PUNCH

Ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus first made the observation in 446 BC that “it is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man that makes us believe the oath.” In Nigeria, when political office holders place their hands on either the Bible or the Quran, they swear that they will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic. They vow to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution; and bear true allegiance to the nation at all times. They also boldly vow to always place service to the nation above all selfish interests and follow the path of justice, honesty, and concord amongst all the people of Nigeria. Nigerians largely believe them.  Alas, later on when the comfort in the purlieu of power subsumes them, when money comes in bails, and cash flows in batches; and when the aroma of authority ravages their hearts and minds without control, they become paladins of perversion and palladia of corruption, oppression, and repression against the same people who elected them.

My friends, it is true that it is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man that makes us believe the oath. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder in agreement with Aeschylus. It is the innate character of men that makes valid or invalid every oath, not the oath itself. Oaths sworn to by our public servants are only languid and lousy lip service that are as fickle as homo-sapiens themselves.

I heard recently that outgoing sitting governors have begun making grand plans to deplete the state account and cart home the patrimonies of hardworking Nigerians who may have not been paid their salaries. These governors are now skidding into a mad rush to banks, requesting last-minute loans and overdrafts that they will not have the burdens and responsibilities paying back. The weight of the debt will have to fall on the shoulders of their successors and the bruised backs of hapless citizens. A big chunk of the funds gotten from banks will be heisted and shared among cronies of the governor who only came to steal, kill, and destroy. Public funds will thus become yams that will be eaten by last-minute mystery goats. Where in the oath sworn to by governors, or any public officer, is the liberty to steal and divert public funds?

There is too much stench in the Nigerian political system. The reason behind the blatant struggle to run for elections is not to serve. In 2019, there were 92 registered political parties in Nigeria. Same in this cycle until 74 of the parties were deregistered by the government. Today, 18 candidates want to be president. 1,803 candidates want to fill 109 Senate seats. 4,548 candidates want to fill 350 House seats. Are these guys thirsting to serve? No! They are hungry for power and unrestrained access to free cash that the Nigerian democracy offers. This is why Nigeria is hemorrhaging.