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Yesterday's Men ... by
That society called Nigeria never ceases to amaze me. It's an environment where the unexpected takes precedence over the expected. It's a quandary where aberrations are not only exalted but also accommodated beyond all reasonable and unreasonable doubts. Where the rich conquer the poor with no resistance whatsoever and the middle class have deliberately refused or has persistently failed to exist. A country of a glorious yesterday and a gloomy tomorrow. A settlement of thieves and fraudulent cowboys. A haven for mischief-makers, political nomads and insatiable playmakers whose collective aims have successfully placed us in this valley of amusement and awkwardness. As 2003 approaches, they are beginning to emanate from their hideouts and mysterious coves in preparation for another bout or taste for supremacy. They are warming up for more shots at "other people's money" so that they can enjoy another season of evil harvest of reaping where they didn't sow. They had stolen a lot before and have decided to come back and if possible finish off where they had started. They are coming with different names but sharing the same umbrella. They call themselves "National Solidarity Alliance", "National Frontiers" etc. But, the truth of the matter is that they are simply disguising themselves in the bid to coerce and repress their fellow citizens once again. If I may ask... What did they forget in the powerhouse that is bringing them back??? What did they achieve collectively or individually during their woeful tenures??? Do they have the potentials and foresight in redeeming the country from it's prolonged murkiness??? If they cannot answer these simple imperative questions then they definitely have no business coming out in daylight to solicit for our shared franchise. To be more convergent, I am actually referring to the Obasanjos, IBBs, Aikhomus, Akilus, Nwobodos, Isemins of this world. These people represent the wasted and spent forces of our political dynamics and categorically have no place in the positive side of national progression. My major concern now rests with our fellow Nigerians back home and their roles in the reformation of our battered society. Are they going to give in to these scoundrels and symbols of depletion??? Are they going to mortgage their future once again without a second thought or any sober reflection??? I sincerely appreciate the fact that things are quite thorny and the poor masses appear have been living in abject poverty all this while, but the crux of the matter is isn't today's sacrifice for tomorrow's liberation??? Will our and their children inherit this entire shambles??? My thinking is that the masses have two options and two destinies in their palms. The first is to bluff all monetary advances made by these "treasure islanders" or take the money after all it is their money, and then vote for the person of their credible choice. The men of yesterday remind me of the typical three blind mice who always belief that money is everything. Their fervor of political myopia and monopoly has to be demystified and conked out. Their egotistical yearnings have to be stampeded and humiliated with so much energy while the just take the center stage at the slightest opportunity. They have drawn us back for almost forty-one years now and with the ushering in of a new millennium, our momentum has to increase at the speed of light before they dubiously and erroneously return to power again. Most of them were principal actors in the June 12 annulment and are now campaigning for the same democracy that they once destroyed. Let the year 2003 be a year of reason and mental awareness. Let it be a year where the high and mighty shall be humbled and the low exalted. Let all positive hands be on deck to make sure that we bring this wilderness and doleful years to a logical expiration. Let the men of yesterday be the like the men never saw tomorrow. Salvation is definitely not in their muddy hands. God bless Nigeria!!! Uwem Inyang London
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