The de-industralization of politics must start now or Nigerian Democracy is doomed – Nnamdi Ebo
I read an article featured in Thisday Newspaper by Nnamdi Ebo, a well written piece, touting the industrialization of Nigerian politics, to say that the writer is not some wizard on some level would be an understatement as he captured the crux of the matter.
Recently, I had an argument with my boss over the true meaning of politics, I will not call it a discussion, because we both stuck to our opinions.
He stated vehemently that Politics is wrong, politics is evil, and no well meaning individual should engage in it. while I tried to put my point forward to him that, what he meant was corrupt politicking, suffice to say, we both ended up as stalemates.
Perhaps I should start by defining what the word politics is in the true sense.
‘Chop the national moi moi, divide the national cake, I chop my own, you chop your own’
This song gave the most crystal clear meaning to the industry of the Nigerian Politics.
I believe what my boss really wanted to say is this, Nigerian Politics has removed the true meaning of democracy. It’s Policy is centered in monetary gains.
The Nigerian system of democracy is a far cry from what was introduced by the Greek, practised by the Romans,modernized and transported by the Britons and exported to the World by the Americans in the 20th Century.
The commercialization of politics in Nigeria is such a lucrative business that surpasses every other industry or trade in Nigeria, including Oil/gas, churching business, kidnapping, Nollywood, Naija music, Blogging, armed robbery, prostitution, human trafficking e.t.c.
Thus Nigerian Politics have become a government of the political parties, by the political parties, for the political parties.
The aspiring dream of most wealthy and affluent, or upcoming upstart is to become a political figure, and to what end if I may ask? The truth is not so far away.
The power, influence, contracts, mistresses, allusion to greatness that comes with the seat, albeit however minor the political holding is.
The commercialization of Nigerian politics has its dire effects on other parts of our industry, as the politicking continues, businesses are closing down, but newer parties are cropping up like weeds in rainy season. Nothing is done to alleviate the plight of the people.
As 2015 looms closer, the politicians come with the same stale music of good governance and sustainable development.
We shall see a fresh onslaught on our senses, as we shall be cajoled with another story as Tuface Idibia once sang,
‘ e be like say them want to tell us another story again, e be like say them want to show us garala is the new dance again.’
we have danced to this song before we have witnessed the result, we have seen where it all ends.
They come playing the song of power stability, infrastructure development, and more other colorful lingos , I just wonder how they come up with these terms though.
It is now we shall see the overflow of money, trickling down even to the little down trodden in the society as they are mortgaged, courted, wined and dined by the business politicians, but wait.
As soon as everyone gets elected to the seat they aspired to be in, it’s business as usual, the return on investment must take place, as the jostling continues, contract padding, misappropriation of funds, godfather-ism, mistress-ism, lover-ism, contract cornering, and the ‘every body answer your papa name-ism’.
So what say you? Do we all seat back and relax, watching yet as another saga is about to unfold in the very near 2015?
Do we understand that true politics should be a service to the people?
Much as we like to hide like the proverbial Ostrich who sticks its head in the ground to hide, yet its big, full rear is exposed, we are all a part of this, and we shall continue to reap the fruits of commercialized politicking every waking day.
How do we do this? Let us all take interests in becoming party members today, that’s the only way we can influence and create a turn around, we can’t do anything if we decide to continue to be the ‘masses’.
If you are not in the circle, you cannot create influence, it is bloody lame to say, you are not a card carrying party member, and you have no interest in Nigeria Politics, yet you expect change. A change you have no interest to fight for, or put energy into.
Be a part of the solution. You should be the change that you want to see.
Let’s start the de-industrialization of Politics in Nigeria today.
I read an article featured in Thisday Newspaper by Nnamdi Ebo, a well written piece, touting the industrialization of Nigerian politics, to say that the writer is not some wizard on some level would be an understatement as he captured the crux of the matter.
Recently, I had an argument with my boss over the true meaning of politics, I will not call it a discussion, because we both stuck to our opinions.
He stated vehemently that Politics is wrong, politics is evil, and no well meaning individual should engage in it. while I tried to put my point forward to him that, what he meant was corrupt politicking, suffice to say, we both ended up as stalemates.
Perhaps I should start by defining what the word politics is in the true sense.
the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy.
or
the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
Politics…Policy…Influencing policy…Policy.
Like Mama G once sang, ‘Chop the national moi moi, divide the national cake, I chop my own, you chop your own’This song gave the most crystal clear meaning to the industry of the Nigerian Politics.
I believe what my boss really wanted to say is this, Nigerian Politics has removed the true meaning of democracy. It’s Policy is centered in monetary gains.
The Nigerian system of democracy is a far cry from what was introduced by the Greek, practised by the Romans,modernized and transported by the Britons and exported to the World by the Americans in the 20th Century.
“The industrialization of Nigerian Politics started during the Shagari government era, which ushered in the politicization of the masses, collectively yearning for democracy and freedom from junta politics . The advent of the 4th republic in 1999 with the Obasanjo government introduced the prevalent industrialization of Nigerian Politics, its politicking and imbibitions by politicians, so much that Politics has turned into the most lucrative industry in Nigeria” – Nnamdi EboBefore we go to the top tiers, lets start from the bottom, feel free to start singing started from the bottom, even the local chancellors, the local government chairmen, the thugs, e.t.c are not left out.
The commercialization of politics in Nigeria is such a lucrative business that surpasses every other industry or trade in Nigeria, including Oil/gas, churching business, kidnapping, Nollywood, Naija music, Blogging, armed robbery, prostitution, human trafficking e.t.c.
Thus Nigerian Politics have become a government of the political parties, by the political parties, for the political parties.
The aspiring dream of most wealthy and affluent, or upcoming upstart is to become a political figure, and to what end if I may ask? The truth is not so far away.
The power, influence, contracts, mistresses, allusion to greatness that comes with the seat, albeit however minor the political holding is.
The commercialization of Nigerian politics has its dire effects on other parts of our industry, as the politicking continues, businesses are closing down, but newer parties are cropping up like weeds in rainy season. Nothing is done to alleviate the plight of the people.
As 2015 looms closer, the politicians come with the same stale music of good governance and sustainable development.
We shall see a fresh onslaught on our senses, as we shall be cajoled with another story as Tuface Idibia once sang,
‘ e be like say them want to tell us another story again, e be like say them want to show us garala is the new dance again.’we have danced to this song before we have witnessed the result, we have seen where it all ends.
They come playing the song of power stability, infrastructure development, and more other colorful lingos , I just wonder how they come up with these terms though.
It is now we shall see the overflow of money, trickling down even to the little down trodden in the society as they are mortgaged, courted, wined and dined by the business politicians, but wait.
As soon as everyone gets elected to the seat they aspired to be in, it’s business as usual, the return on investment must take place, as the jostling continues, contract padding, misappropriation of funds, godfather-ism, mistress-ism, lover-ism, contract cornering, and the ‘every body answer your papa name-ism’.
So what say you? Do we all seat back and relax, watching yet as another saga is about to unfold in the very near 2015?
Do we understand that true politics should be a service to the people?
Much as we like to hide like the proverbial Ostrich who sticks its head in the ground to hide, yet its big, full rear is exposed, we are all a part of this, and we shall continue to reap the fruits of commercialized politicking every waking day.
How do we do this? Let us all take interests in becoming party members today, that’s the only way we can influence and create a turn around, we can’t do anything if we decide to continue to be the ‘masses’.
If you are not in the circle, you cannot create influence, it is bloody lame to say, you are not a card carrying party member, and you have no interest in Nigeria Politics, yet you expect change. A change you have no interest to fight for, or put energy into.
Be a part of the solution. You should be the change that you want to see.
Let’s start the de-industrialization of Politics in Nigeria today.
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