NIGERIA- A LOST CAUSE? (THE POLITICS...THE POLITICIANS)

The Nigerian Series was originated by Nilla to take on topical issues about and in the country. From week to week, it will be hosted by different bloggers, allowing as wide a range as possible of participation.

My view of the problems that beset Nigeria is one not obscured by idealism. I lay all blame at the doorstep of the rulers of this country, the politicians who have with single-mindedness looted the country at the expense of development. In my eyes also, the soldiers who have ruled are no different from the mis-managing pols. As Araceli once pointed out, those responsible for the decades-old crippling of the country should be labelled rulers and not leaders.
Some regard Nigeria as a failed state, some as a seriously ailing one, but apart from those in denial, all agree the country has serious problems.


A point one should note is that faces might have changed in Nigerian governments over the years but the guiding spirit has remained the same. It is not a spirit that looks to the well-being of its people.
Can any deny that the ideals of the Northern People's Congress (NPC) of the 60s was not continued by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the 70s and 80s and into the present century by the People's Democratic Party (PDP)? Or that the tribal Western Nigeria party, the Action Group (AG) did not evolve into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and then into the now incapacitated Alliance for Democracy (AD)?
The same people, fulfilling the same programmes, looking out mainly for themselves, regarding the country as chattel suitable only for looting.

My position on the country is this- Shameless politicians have almost without exception gutted the country with no sense of decency and as a people, we no longer expect those in authority to serve us or better our collective lot.

General Elections in Nigeria will take place in March of this year and already voters card machines have been found in the Ibadan home of the thug-lord, Adedibu, the self acclaimed king maker of Oyo State. There shall be no prosecution of this blood-thirsty geriatric who is protected by the Presidency as there was no prosecution of the simpleton, Chris Uba who abducted the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chris Uba on behalf of himself and his brother, Andrew, an aspiring governor of that state and aide to the President of Nigeria . The examples are too many to be placed on one post: The President and Vice President accusing and counter-accusing each other of claims of corruption, claim after claim, going on and on... The dreamers, 'Upstarts' like Pat Utomi with radical and life-changing positive ideas will never be allowd to take the throne, let us not deceive ourselves.


The question: Where do we, as a people, take it from here? What do we do about the thieving politicians who would rather die than give up the goose that lays their golden eggs? Already we hear of the amassing of guns and ammunition by men who would rather die than yield power
Is Nigeria a lost cause? Do we get off this sinking ship or can we save this land?