GIVE POLITICAL POWER BACK TO THE PEOPLE
By, Seye Adetunmbi
This explains the recycling of all kinds of hands in all tiers of government. Unlike the school principals that represented their communities in the parliament in the old western region, they went back to their duty posts. Papa Senator Paul Anjorin, Chiefs Ade Akomolafe, Areola, Akerele to mention a few.
Let's keep it simple to bring the real issues of the letdown of the poor masses in proper perspective. What input do peasants, masons, subsistence farmers, petty traders and illiterates generally have into the constitution of the country or national conferences?
Who manipulates government policies and election results? It is elite that constitute the ruling class and not the downtrodden.
Who manipulates government policies and election results? It is elite that constitute the ruling class and not the downtrodden.
Why is it that everybody wants his/her kinsman to be governor or be in government? Because, the larger interest is relegated to the background, it is now everybody for himself/herself.....How many government projects did Awolowo establish in his home town? This should tell us the difference between then and now; the exemplary and well groomed politicians of the old generation and the reckless rascals that dominate the ruling class today! Indeed, the inmates have taken charge of the asylum.
The major undoing of the ruling class today is their domination by packs of "awon alainitiju" (shameless elements). Chief Awo lived in his Oke Bola house as Premier, likewise Alhaji Jakande in his Ilupeju residence as governor of Lagos State, while the wardrobe of Papa Ajasin didn't change as Governor of old Ondo-State. In fact Papa's personal car had outlived its serviceable state/lifespan by the time he left office.
What name do we call people that corner commonwealth with impunity or misappropriate what belongs to all and go ahead to acquire ill gotten wealth? ( Agbewiri, ofon-an, ajelojuonile). The typical omoluabis will say, wait a minute; what would people say if they see or get to know about the abnormal acquisitions or find them living ostentatious lifestyles as politicians or ex-government officials?
How then can we now appeal to the sensibilities of the restless youths and the raped electorate to vote without being induced with money? If you advise an aspirant or anyone to give a supposed better candidate a chance to a quality representation of the community, expect them to say "se o fe ki awon na se orire ni"? Don't blame them because they know that being in government is no longer about public service but access to plenty free money/national cake.
Today's elitist people in government have not laid good examples. They represent themselves and not the masses. Their in sensitivities have complicated matters for good governance and sustainance of a better society. Therefore, giving power to the people is not about a political party slogan. It is about making the majority of the people the priority of government. The masses first before the privileged few in government that have access to all the good things of life at the expense of the poor majority. Power to the people is also accountability to the masses by ensuring that contracts are not inflated. If a government bond can be raised at less than 5%, don't commit the state at over 5%.
Perhaps proper restructuring of the nation, will assist to restore sanity to system and block excesses and all leakages. Whoever wants to live big should go and do business, bid for government contracts and leave governance to those that will make life more abundant for the majority and not the parasites that continue to feed fat on what belongs to all.
How can one person be happy while the rest are sad? It is like an overfed fellow in the midst of impoverished kinsmen. Let the ruling class in Nigeria imbibe the culture and sensibility of the word "ubuntu" in South Africa, which means "I am happy because you are".
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