The world of professional politicians and woes of Nigerians

By Adisa Adeleye

It has been a long way from the 1950s when politics was forced on the best of any community (when the best educated were begged to represent the people) to the present time when any candidate (with minimum of a school certificate) would force himself on the people as their representative.

Selection of candidates for any elective post continues to be one of the disruptive factors in the party-politics of our plural society, referred to as Nigeria.

Local politicians could amiably be described as a group of people who are motivated by the common desire to gain political power to rule. The successful ones do form the government of the locality (or country), while the less successful (less favoured ones) become the opposition. The assumption here is in a democratic environment where there is the government and a responsible opposition.

File photo: From Right, President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur at 61th National Executive Committee of PDP held in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Nigerian politicians, unlike their counterparts in civilized world, and quite a departure from their predecessors of the First Republic, appear to be motivated into politics by other extraneous factors, not patriotic fervor.

People say loudly, without any equivocation, that politics is the most lucrative business in the country today.

This is evident in the life-styles of many politicians ? legislators and party office holders. The succulent nature of political life has bred a new class of professionals who see politics as a ?do or die? affair and, ready to change political garments in order to protect their personal fortunes. Perhaps, a peep into the past would tend to jerk our conscience, if there is any. Money and personal fortune seem to be the politicians? dividends of democracy.

The former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, in an interview in the Comet of October, 2002, made an interesting revelation. He was reported to have said that, ?I spent a minimum of $3million to become Governor of Enugu State?. That was about N378million in 2002 or about N.5billion at today?s exchange rate.

The governor said of his angry legislators, ?we have taken care of our assembly men, pay their salaries as and when due up to the last time the civil servants were paid?. Each member receives about two hundred and fifty thousand naira take home every month. Each has a 306 Peugeot Saloon Car and we have given five hundred thousand rent allowances even though they live in government quarters, and they were also given five hundred thousand naira for vehicles and other emoluments. They were also given land as the Golf Estate Layout.

That was the politicians? paradise in 2002. What would be the situation today for our legislators, not only in Enugu State, but in all other states of the country where the ?servants? of the people have suddenly become the opulent masters of the people over the years? The unverified but other tightly guarded emoluments of legislators in state legislatures and the parliament in Abuja run into millions every month.

Many Nigerians would be severely jolted if all emoluments and salaries of Federal and State Ministers, Legislators, Advisers, Chairmen of Local Councils, Supervisors and Councilors are published for public scrutiny. Certainly, the country cannot continue to embrace legislative and executive profligacy in an atmosphere of deepening poverty of majority of Nigerians.

It is sad that the reaction of some Nigerians to poverty is escalation of fraud. According to the Central Bank Annual Report 2001, ?there were 908 reported cases of fraud and forgery involving N2.53billion, US$60.94million and ? 5289.44. Of the cases reported 402 resulted in the loss of N931.40million, $83,250 and ?5,289.44?.

The allusion to figures collated twelve years ago is to remind Nigerians (with short memories) that the financial irresponsibility has a devious history. However, the problem has been the inability of the professional politicians who constitute the ruling elites to combat the evil before it got out of control. President Jonathan to me, seems to have inherited a terrible situation, perpetuated by his predecessors. The antagonism of the present crop of Nigerians to the rising cost of running the government and rising incidents of corruption is a reminder of the fact that all is not well.

Perhaps many reasons are responsible for the inability of professional politicians to perform in (government and oppositions) of which sheepish attitude of the people and the prevalence of ?our son? mentality in body politics.? It is easy for ?our sons? to get away with many things with impunity.

A reference case is that of the 1950s when the NICHOLAS COMMISSION of enquiry set up by the Western Region Government indicted Ibadan District Council (under late Adegoke Adelabu) of corruption and mismanagement of funds.

Many Ibadan citizens condemned the findings of the enquiry because according to them, Ibadan did not complain of any missing funds.? Also, the Coker Commission of enquiry which indicted the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Action Group (AG) did not go well with majority of the Yoruba at the time.? It was a case of nothing was wrong with ?our son?.

It is apparent that the lack of political sophistication among Nigerians would always prevent the emergence of visionary political leadership in the country.

Many observers believe that there is little or no difference between the governing class and the opposition ? no difference in political principle or economic approach to issues.? Perhaps that is the reason why some people are doubting the genuineness of the opposition in trying to dislodge the present regime.

The opposition parties have failed to address the problems of states as presently constituted from relying heavily on the Federal Government to meet their responsibilities.? Like the Federal Government, many states devout more than 60% of their budget to current expenditures (allocated oil money).

The hope and prayer of all Nigerians is that the present professional politicians (both in government and oppositions) should find one way or the other to ensure lasting peace and prosperity in the country.

This should not be a difficult assignment since they are all well paid.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/the-world-of-professional-politicians-and-woes-of-nigerians/

Wimbledon 2012 TV Schedule fourth of july IFE Fireworks 2012 4th Of July independence day BET Awards 2012 declaration of independence