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YORUBA, IGBO, HAUSA OR A GOOD PRESIDENT By BEACON NY 12508 Do this people really know what we want?, I mean the politicians, what is it about them, or should I say what is it about us, Do we really know what we want?. Everyday we hear how the Igbo's , Yoruba's and the Hausa's are fighting for the chance to be the next president, I sometimes wonder if this is what the jobless and underpaid people of Nigeria wants or all they want are good leaders, capable and willing to turn the country around. The truth is we are being taken for a ride, they used ethnicity and religion to divide us so that they can cling on to power, the bad side is we know it but are doing nothing about it, we are rather helping them. It is time to let them know we don't really care who becomes the president as long as the person is genuine in their plan for Nigeria and the people of Nigeria.
Why should we be contented with this people, we know majority of them fight on the side of the military to deny us of democracy, dividend of which they seem to be enjoying today, those who fought against democracy and good governance in Nigeria are today Governors, senators, Ministers etc. The man who was once a minister quoted as saying "telephone is not for the poor" is now in the mainstream of our politics, I wonder if he was passing by my"shoe maker" Sikiru in agege when I was speaking to him on his cellphone and I wouldn't be surprised if Sikiru voted for such a man in any election.
This is Nigeria for you, not forgiving like most think but forgetful. We also have cases of governor who actually fought for democracy but became elected on the basis of this not because they have plans and ideas for the states, we need to know that a good freedom fighter does not necessarily make a good leader. Today's senators and governors who once fought on the side of the military and even defended military intervention in our politics, are now introducing sharia law in their various states, poor people are being sentenced to death, another's hand was cut off for stealing less than $10 while they are all out defending a man who is in possession of stolen billions of dollars that would have been used to create job for the poor so as to prevent stealing as a result of hunger and thereby making cutting off of hands unnecessary.
What can be done to make sure Nigerians are well informed on the choices they make, remember the case of the guy who faked school credentials to be elected,what happens once the people got to know the truth. When we fought for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria, we knew exactly what will happen once the military are gone what most people except those in the frontline of the war did not do is have a plan in place to checkmate this. While the true heroes of our democracy were busy fighting the military the enemy of the people were busy doing business with the military and stashing away our hard earned money which today they are using to dictate who becomes what. This is why good people with better ideas will never get close to power if we don't act now. We can really stop this people in their track the same way we stopped the military, but this time around we need a different kind of approach and there is a need to involve people who are not interested in holding political office.
We need different groups to seek and expose the truth about this heartless individuals, I am sure once Nigerians have evidence against anyone they will act, this has happened before and it will again. This is clearly something to think about. Just wait and see what will happen if this becomes a reality.
Dec 2002
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