One will not be wrong to say that the political genealogy and scenery present in the 52 odd African countries are one and the same; albeit for the wrong reasons.
If the politics in Africa were a dream, it would surely have been a nightmare for sure; but sadly, it is real and doubles as a big joke and sad reality. Africa is short of leaders--she lacks statesmen and only has a group of corrupt savage minded politicians who have no shame and dignity.
Like the Kenyan Law Don, Professor Patrice Loch Otieno Lumumba said, "Africa has politicians and not State men - A State man looks to the next generation but the politician looks to the next election. We must do what we have to do now or we will be done". He is right!
But how do we solve the problem of bad leadership in Africa when we do not have good African examples to emulate? Nigeria which prides itself as the big brother in the African continent is a big brother for the very wrong reasons, and bad leadership is tops on that list.
Nigeria deserves a Golden Glove Award for her corruption and political drama, because that is what her polities are - movies! This is not to take the steam off the other African countries, no no no. Rather, it is a clarion call for Nigeria to assume her responsibility as a leader and be an example for other smaller African Nations to follow. If there is any country in Africa who should lead the ideas of Pan-Africanism, Good Leadership, Development, Free and Fair Elections, African Unity, etc. it is Nigeria; but sadly this country which is so blessed with human and natural resources can barely put it's own house in order talk less of leading others.
Legislators Scaling National Assembly Gates
Every political headline in Nigeria is too sad to be true, but they are. It is a bad joke that leaves one shaking the head in disappointment. When you read the papers or listen to the news, you can't help but shed tears for what this great country has become. Nigerian President leaves country for over 100 days? Nigerian Governor appoints sister as commissioner of Enjoyment? Nigeria's Finance Minister who forged Certificate still in office? Official claims 36Million Naira cash in Government Office Vault was swallowed by Snake? Senators scale fence to force themselves into National Assembly? Legislators Throw Punches during plenary on National Television? Senator Commissions Electric pole? Political party agents openly pay voters for votes during election? President lists names of Dead men as cabinet members? As funny as these headlines may sound, they are all true and the lost is endless!
The same set of leaders have been ruling the country since independence - strolling on the corridors of power and changing portfolios when due. The current President of the Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who will be seeking a second tenure at age 76 has ruled the country before under the military regime between 1983 and 1985.
Also, former president Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled two terms of four years each and was seeking a third term had ruled the country before during the military regime between 1976 and 1979.
Nigeria's Senate President, Bukola Saraki
A large number of the Senators and Ministers in Nigeria were once governors who ruled their various states for 8 years. The current Nigerian Senate President, Bukola Saraki ruled Kwara State as Governor for 8 Years. His father, Abubakar Olusola Saraki was a Senator between 1977 to 1983 and actively involved in Kwara State politics before he passed on in 2012. His sister, Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki was also a Senator between 2003 and 2011. In a country of over 160 million people, how is it that the same set of persons occupy political offices in Nigeria?
Indeed Nigeria deserves a Golden Glove Award. I agree that the case is not different in other parts of Africa but if a list of movies are nominated for an award, there must be a winner.......and in the category for Poor Political Leadership in Africa, the award goes to........... Nigeria.
The first step to emancipation from poor leadership in Africa is to speak about it, please drop a comment in the section below to speak out about the current political atmosphere in your country.
We must speak out and act now!!