I watched with disgust on National televisions as well as read in some national dailies the displayed show of shame in the House of Representatives last Thursday by our so-called Representatives who engaged themselves in a free-for-all following attempts by allies of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to compel the House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara to announce the list of principal officers of the House as dictated by the party.
I have always known that most of these public office holders represent their selfish interests and the latest developments in both the senate and the House of Representatives have confirmed this belief.
It will be recalled that some aggrieved lawmakers of the APC confronted Dogara over his alleged disobedience to the party’s directive concerning the selection of principal officers.
If the reports I read that the ugly incident occurred in the presence of some secondary school students on excursion at the National Assembly were true, then it is really unfortunate. What precedents are these lawmakers setting for the younger generation? What morals are they teaching the young ones; our supposed future leaders? The event that was on International TVs has once again ridiculed the country in the global community; the legislators should comport themselves and be mindful of their action, which doesn’t show good leadership and mentor-ship to the younger generation.
It is indeed regrettable that some of our fathers could not resist the temptation to self-help as this will send a very wrong signal to the younger generation. Our legislators in both chambers must know that young Nigerians are always watching and looking up to them for inspiration, leadership and mentor-ship. What a show of shame that the lawmakers turned themselves to lawbreakers in the hallowed chamber over leadership tussle that could have been resolved through mature and diplomatic ways instead of confrontation.
The National Assembly, at whatever level, is rightly supposed to be a bastion of decorum where matters are handled with utmost decency. The matter on hand does not call for muscle flexing when weighed against other issues begging for urgent attention.
To say these politicians are a disgrace to human nature is an understatement, because it is only animals that fight; a big shame to them all! Fighting for power to steal money from our treasury while the poor keep languishing in poverty? Nigerians are not surprised because this is what happens when we have bunch of selfish people representing innocent citizens. They rigged elections and said it was genuine, loot our money and formed a clique of elites, and now they have started fighting, this is just the beginning because very soon they would start assassinating themselves.
In developed countries where leaders hold the interest of their people at heart, they rule in a very high esteem. Once a leader is linked with one misdemeanour, they quickly vacate the office for investigation to commence in order to clear their names but unfortunately, here in Nigeria, most of our representatives are linked with various corrupt acts, as a matter of fact, some are still facing terrorism charges/trials in court.
In case you forget, Senator Ali Ndume who was elected as the Senate Leader on Thursday is yet to clear his name over his alleged links with the Boko Haram insurgents who have staged numerous deadly attacks in recent months. His trial is currently ongoing before Justice Gabriel Kolawale of the Federal High Court. A former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah who was sacked by former President Goodluck Jonathan following the scandalous purchase of two BMW armoured cars is currently representing the Anambra State North Senatorial seat at the senate. It would shock you to know that there has been no probe, just like that; the matter has been swept under the carpet.
Greed and selfishness have lots to explain for the failure of the Nigerian state and its component parts. In spite of the labour and sacrifices of the founding fathers of this nation, our politicians have refused to understand and appreciate what it means to build a nation where mutual rights, interests and privileges are to be preserved and protected for the common good of society.
It is only greed and selfishness that will make a president, governor, lawmaker or council chairman ignore the express provisions of the constitution and act contrary to it, just to make sure his opponent within or outside the seat of power or party does not have a chance to make his own progress in somewhat one way or other. It is greed that will make a President concern himself with how best he can stifle opposition in his home state in other not to lose recognition or control to those he chose to see as little political minions. It is greed that would make a governor wary of the potential or real influence of the President in his own home. But it is also greed that breeds that breed of sycophants and makes sychophancy thrive in the nation and the states.
Yes, we do not really need to worship that President, Governor, Lawmaker or Council chairman, because it is God that demands for and deserves our worship. We bootlick because we seek to be close to the corridors of power, and so they demand inordinate loyalty from us and we strive to deliver even while knowing it is an antithesis and ruins.
