Nigerian socioeconomic travails and interplay of vain politicians

 

This subject of discourse: “Nigerian socioeconomic travails and interplay of vain politicians,” was carefully and timely chosen in view of the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy and the appalling developments in the political institutions of our country. Therefore, to make for better understanding of this scholarly treatise, the following literature have been pieced together comprehensively, to enlighten the curious Nigerian populace about the inherent relationship between politics and politician vis a’ vis the socio-economic and political challenges currently bedeviling and suffocating our great country, Nigeria.

In order not to sound drab and pedestrian in outlining the basic components of this didactic discourse, a cursory look at the definition of politics and politician puts us in better pedestal in furnishing our medulla oblongata with the phenomenal variables that determine our country’s developmental indices in the face of mounting economic and political challenges that dot its checquered history since independence.

According to encyclopedia Britannica, “Politics is the practice and theory of influencing other people on a global, civic or individual level. More narrowly, it is about achieving and exercising positions of governance – organized control over a human community, particularly a state. Furthermore, politics is the study or practice of the distribution of power and resources within a given community (an organized population based on hierarchy), as well as the interrelationship(s) between communities.”

In the same vein, politician is defined as “a person who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, inheritance, coup d’état, appointment, conquest, or other means. Politics is not limited to governance through public office. Politicians may be called freedom fighters. In media campaigns, politicians are often referred to as activists. “

The above definitions, no doubt refresh our minds on the bugging concepts of politics and politicians. More to this academic exposure however, is my concern about the developing, but sad scenarios that have ardently and continually held our political institution down with attendant bastardization of its inherent norms and ethics, the veneer of our democratic system.

Suffice to note that in civilized and progressing democratic system or climes, as obtained in civilized economies of the world, politics is played with its norms and ethics forming the template for a healthy and reformative democratic government which offers the basic ingredients and resources that engender socio-economic wellbeing of the populace.

In a similar vein, politicians, as the name implies, are supposedly good men of tested integrity and modest character that steer the political and socio-economic affairs of a country to enviable heights and patriotically powered by staunch commitment to building an egalitarian society where good governance,  equity, credible electoral process, and the rule of law reign supreme.

Bothered by the shabby and languishing state of the nation’s economy currently, it is regrettable to state without equivocation that our democratic system has over the years been infiltrated by a horde of mediocre, impostors, touts, and area boys, masquerading as modern day politicians, whose unpopular political and administrative policies have rabidly clogged the socioeconomic and political growth of the country while the populace stagnate in extreme poverty and lack.

It is common knowledge that these “rogue politicians” have hijacked our political process with rabid tenacity insomuch that their invented and warped political ideologies have truncated all due process in our political architecture. In their ignominious state of imbroglio, they are crudely dressed in treacherous robes laced with venomous drool orchestrated to cajole the gullible populace to total submission and slavery.

Without mincing words, the prevailing chequered political history of our great country over time, indisputably points to the dazzling fact that the Nigerian democratic institution is ungainly characterized by hate, antagonism, treachery, and subversive ideological leaning as brazenly played out in the haughty and obnoxious manner Nigerian opportunistic politicians ply their trade.

Following the bout of phenomenal rascality that characterizes the Nigerian political arena over the years, Nigerian politicians, in the eyes of the public, are no better fellow than the grumpy element who places personal aggrandizement far above national interest, and casts a longing eye on offices, hence rottenness begets his conduct. Similarly, Nigerian politicians, in the eyes of the gullible and hapless citizens, are simply the fellow who advocates primordial sentiments laced with subversive and warped political ideologies that seriously frustrate all efforts made by people of good will to reintegrate Nigeria into the league of civilized nations where unfettered democratic ideals and norms are jealously and tenaciously upheld.

Little wonder, the relics of our failing political system has viciously trailed our imperiled political landscape, even when our future seems to have been bungled in our quarantined ill-fated political vehicle screeching to a calamitous halt.

The current state of our nation’s economy is without doubt, a sad commentary in our socio-economic history. Every day, Nigerians lament over excruciating poverty occasioned by corrupt and visionless leadership. No thanks to the crop of Nigerian political leaders cum jobbers, who have rapaciously plundered the peoples’ God- given resources with inexplicable impunity. What an ignoble development!

With deep sense of patriotism and nationalistic candour it is pertinent to say that Nigerians deserve a better deal from their political leaders. Nigeria as a great black nation must be released from the evil grip of “political con men”, and boldly stand firm to take its pride of place within the comity of world’s great nations.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the present state of the Nigerian economy calls for national re-awakening; no more no less!

By Emeka Nwokocha,

A journalist, wrote from Warri