Still On The Vice Presidential Debate


I’ll begin by expressing gross disappointment as to the cluelessness of most of the candidates presented as regards the complexities of the problems haunting Nigerians and Nigeria as a country. It was quite exasperating watching these lot go on and about the issues presented before them but without proper logical or critical strategies to accomplish the changes we hope to see.

I believe Nigerians have gone past the stage of being seduced into voting for men who have little or nothing to offer but lies and promises. And even more heartbreaking was knowing that these were the supposed best candidates worthy of being chosen by their parties. If indeed they happened to be the best of them all then I wonder what would become of this nation in years to come.

I believe that at this point,who so ever is to come up to seek the vote of Nigerians must no doubt embody certain characters; intelligence,strategic mindedness,compassion,maturity and passion amongst others.

As the debate proceeded and questions about the rapidly increasing rate of poverty,subsidy and governmental policies were asked,I waited patiently for the time when proper attention would be given to issues like terrorism,health care and education of the Nigerian child but it never came.

The candidates however never failed to take us down memory lane to their previous achievements and how Nigerians should place much trust in them. Some even boldly stood before us to recite figures and ridiculous achievements that couldn’t be found anywhere after fact checks were carried out.

This is 2019 and Nigeria still suffers from recession,an economic disease that doesn’t just begin over night. Recession is the result years of wrong choices,policies and lack of continuity and proper follow up. Yet, these candidates found it quite unnecessary to give Nigerians something tangible to hold on to as regards battling this monster.

What seemed important was closely comparing their policies in initial positions in government or at NGOs to the policies that would affect Nigerians as a whole- A country with total population of 200 million people. How unreasonable?

It’s disheartening that issues like cultural and religious intolerance, terrorism and the famous herdsmen killings weren’t addressed at all. Or perhaps these are strategies by the government to reduce the population or have the nation divided. It’s high time transparency was the moto of our government.

Excesses from subsidy,recovered funds,fines and taxes have somehow dematerialized into thin air. What we need is a committee in charge of funds such as these who would be held accountable and see to it that these funds are put into profitable use. It’s ridiculous how the economy has been monopolised,with no trace of Agriculture or Industry and yet none of our refineries are functioning. We import even the only resource we can boast of and as much trees as we have in their variety, we spend over 26million on the importation of toothpick.

How Mr. Vice President could boldly make mention of this fact is even more outrageous. We have gotten to a point where corruption has eaten so deep our law makers have no problem standing before us to slap us in the face with lies and feel no remorse or compassion.

The problem with Nigeria isn’t lack of funds as our government portray. It isn’t that it’s so hard to turn things around in this country as our law makers paint it to be. Our problem is consistently swearing in mediocrities into power,men who have long sold out their soul and have no trace of conscience left in them.

I believe democracy doesn’t work well in a country as corrupt as this. Not when the senate never seem to act civilized or come to a favourable agreement,yet are handsomely paid even higher than the senate of any other country whilst her citizens die from the pangs of hunger and starvation,not to mention the Godforsaken allowances and projects handed to them whilst our youths remain unemployed,roaming the streets of Nigeria.

If Nigeria would be made to improve,then a critical constitutional amendment process must take place. A constitution in favour of the people,the poor,the needy and the generation to come.

By Okunlola Azeezat Olayinka,Author of ‘Red Fuse Trip’ currently on sale on okadabooks.


God bless Nigeria.http://mouthpiece.com.ng/still-on-the-vice-presidential-debate/