’Hypocrisy in anything, whatever may deceive the cleverest and most penetrating man, but the least wide-awake of children recognizes it, and is revolted by it, however ingeniously it may be disguised’’



Leo Tolstoy


It just seems like yesterday.

On the 16th of April 2011, there l stood at the receiving end of the treacherous blaze of the Lagos mid-day sunshine. As l looked on in clear contempt for the literally unending snaky line of people on the queue opposite me; enduring the endless jibes thrown at those of us on the other queue, a number of things piqued my mind. My contempt was hinged on one fundamental issue: here we were as a nation, with a chance to for once make a detour from the perilous path we had trod since the new democratic dispensation, and we were on the verge of throwing it all away.

We had a choice to make between Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP and General Muhammadu Buhari who was the standard bearer of the CPC. The battle cry then was ‘’l am voting for Goodluck and not PDP’’. The General had a few days earlier shed tears on national TV and that for me was as bad as it could get. It was a testament to how badly he wanted to right the wrongs that had brought a once great nation to its knees. As l cast my vote for the General, and left the polling booth, l knew it was a tall order expecting the General to win, but l was satisfied that even as a Rivers man from the same South-South geopolitical zone as his opponent, l had voted with my conscience. That alone was good enough for me.

Four years on, we are yet again faced with a similar scenario; with a choice to decide who would lead our great nation for another four years and ironically the gladiators are the same. However, this time, General Buhari as against running on the platform of the CPC is the flag bearer of the APC; a coalition of opposition parties who have made the occupation of Aso Rock their primary objective. To achieve this purpose, they are leveraging on the mantra of ‘’CHANGE’’ as their value proposition. A cardinal linchpin of this mantra is the fight against corruption; yes, that hydra headed monster that has eaten so deep into every facet of our national lives. And who is best suited to be the fulcrum of this proposition than General Buhari, the one man who is touted to be the embodiment of honesty, integrity and incorruptibility.

To be certain, these were the very same virtues on which my voting for Buhari in 2011 was premised. However, like they say, a day in politics is a long time. If we are to do an extrapolation based on this wise saying, you can imagine what four years translates to. Well, the materialization of that can clearly be seen in the calibre of characters the General has surrounded himself with in the APC.

Amongst these are two of the most corrupt individuals to have ever trodden the Nigerian political landscape. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs no introduction in contemporary Nigeria. Like a colossus, he has bestrodden this landscape for as long as our memories can take us. Actively participating in the opposition NADECO during the despotic terror reign of Sani Abacha, he became governor of Lagos State during the fourth republic. As compensation for his activism, Tinubu helped himself in no small measure to the Lagos State treasury, a skill he still exhibits masterfully by proxy, under the Fashola administration.

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the other hand has earned his corruption stripes. If corruption were an army, he would easily be a five star General. As speaker of the Rivers State House Assembly, he was the quintessential rubber stamp that sealed the financial debauchery and recklessness that was the hallmark of Dr. Peter Odili’s eight year reign. If there was any doubt about the ridiculous levels of looting perpetuated by the Odili government, the interminable injunction against his being investigated by the EFCC, granted by an Abuja High Court, tells the whole story. As Governor, Amaechi has simply exploited all the ‘’lootocracy’’ skills he acquired under the tutelage of his principal. Between them, these two men; Tinubu and Amaechi, are the biggest financiers of the Buhari candidacy.

The question any discerning mind should then ask is, what really is this ‘’change’’ that continues to be mouthed all about? If Buhari is the epitome of all that is incorruptible, how come he is comfortable in the gathering of people who personify corruption in its rawest form? The unambiguous answer lies in the words of the great philosopher who once said ‘’show me your friends and l would tell you who you are’’. This characteristic blowing hot and cold is only a manifestation of the political ambivalence of the General towards an issue that we are made to believe he stands against. It therefore seems that while this legend of incorruptibility around Buhari has taken on a mythical dimension, when critically analysed based on current evidence; it is just an escapist sophistry leveraged on by his supporters to cover their ideological emptiness.

In the final analysis, it is simply the height of hypocrisy for anyone to say Buhari and the APC represent any semblance of the kind of change Nigerians deserve. I need to be schooled on how Buhari is expected to fight corruption when the very people who are financing him are an embodiment of the very thing. It is becoming clearer that the change mantra is only about the interests of certain individuals as against the generality of Nigerians. Certainly, this variant of change is a Greek gift nicely wrapped in a box of hypocrisy; one that is tempting enough to force a change in the hands that hold the knife slicing off the Nigerian national cake. However, it is one gift that ought to repulse every right thinking Nigerian. As William Hazlitt once surmised, hypocrisy is the only vice that cannot be forgiven. If corruption is defined as a failure of systems, l completely consent that it is a national malaise and its resolution is non-negotiable. However, what l oppose is change for the sake of it ; in this case swapping one corrupt administration with another, without a deliberate attempt to address the fundamental issues that would make a definite difference.

If this is the kind of change we clamour for and deserve, I’d leave us to our consciences.

Let that be the judge.

lol...


the last paragraph summarizes my fear..

nice write up I must say, you should do one on GEJ failure also

All the analysis painted here is an individual opinion...I satisfied my conscience by voting GEJ in 2011 but he fail to deliever. GMB has my will have my vote in next election because I see APC/GMB as a lesser evil compare to PDP/GEJ.

GEJ is incompetent to rule us for another four years. He has failed for the past six years. EOD.

I voted GEJ in 2011 and dats d greatest mistake of my life

by dia write up u shall know dem..pdp tinz...d only tin dat will stop mi frm votin APC next election is death.

OP. you are very correct. Your position is same with my closest friend. He voted for Buhari in 2011 but he is voting for GEJ next year.

OP, thanks for raising this issue. Buhari I know, will look away if those corrupt fools fall prey to justice and that's why Tinubu did all he could to be a VP (immunity clause). Buhari is no fool and he can't compromise his hard earned integrity just like that. Don't worry, APC £hieves are in for a long thing I tell you

Buhari does not represent change but a draw back to the military era

The south south deserve a chance to rule

Nigerians deserve to be able to choose their ruler without 800 people dying once buhari and his supporters dont like the result

Excellent piece. This needs be published in other social/electronic media.
Bugari COULD have my vote if he'd promise to start his anticorruption war with Tinubu & Amaechi, who are as corrupt as GEJ, if not more than.

Majority of those commenting on Nairaland, seeking Buhari's election come 2015 are those born in the later 80s who know nothing about the general's antecedents by experience. Those who have only heard about WAI(war against indiscipline) without any glimps of knowledge how this war was actually excuted. Whether it was truely a war against indiscipline or a war against presumed enemies. They are those who had no idea the undue turture, there parents and elderly siblings, suffered under the wickedness, cluelessnes, favouritism, tribalism, and lawlesnes of their today incoritible general. If you ask most of the commentators we have here on Nairaland today, who Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon was. The answers might be No idea. The truth of the matter is that; Buhari, like Babangida narated, is an empty brain who failed all his military exams. Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon was the main force behind Buhari's regime. However, going down the memory lane, the only significance the regime recorded was witch-hunting of presumed enemies. It was never any fight against any indiscipline. The manner of escapes and apprehension of political gladiators then only raised dusts and and shot many holes into the actual meaning of WAI. That was why the administration couldn't last beyond 2yrs. If that is what we want as a repetition, our destinies are in our hands.

If corruption was to be recognized by any human face, Op, both you and those u support are the perfect picture of it. Amaechi's existence is touching and hurting so many nerves in the present day administration but never to go too far, by the end of may 2015, he'll be out of office and by then, those who want to go and hug a transformer are free to do the needful in Oshiobaba's voice, GO AND DIE but for now, the guy is still His Excellency Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Fmr Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Fmr Chairman of Nigeria Speakers forum, Executive Governor Of Rivers State and Authentic Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum and presently the DG of Buhari/Osibanjo Presidential Campaign so those who are in a hurry to kill or crucify him should exercise a little more patience till maybe after may 29th 2015 Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

BobNeli:
Majority of those commenting on Nairaland, seeking Buhari's election come 2015 are those born in the later 80s who know nothing about the general's antecedents by experience. Those who have only heard about WAI(war against indiscipline) without any glimps of knowledge how this war was actually excuted. Whether it was truely a war against indiscipline or a war against presumed enemies. They are those who had no idea the undue turture, there parents and elderly siblings, suffered under the wickedness, cluelessnes, favouritism, tribalism, and lawlesnes of their today incoritible general. If you ask most of the commentators we have here on Nairaland today, who Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon was. The answers might be No idea. The truth of the matter is that; Buhari, like Babangida narated, is an empty brain who failed all his military exams. Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon was the main force behind Buhari's regime. However, going down the memory lane, the only significance the regime recorded was witch-hunting of presumed enemies. It was never any fight against any indiscipline. The manner of escapes and apprehension of political gladiators then only raised dusts and and shot many holes into the actual meaning of WAI. That was why the administration couldn't last beyond 2yrs. If that is what we want as a repetition, our destinies are in our hands.

Read yourself again, Are you really proud that you took out your precious time to write this? Answer me.

You try but you need to work harder to justify your pay.
I voted Buhari in 2011 and I will vote him again in 2015.

SAI BUHARI 2015.

@ OP:
Na wa oH! All these paragraphs to discredit Buhari simply because dem dash you small Jonathan/PDP rotten rice.

How to become a jonathanian

1. Throw away your brain.
2.Say Buhari is boko haram
3. Blame apc for Gej maladministration.
4. Call anybody against Gej boko haram
5. Support impunity/injustice..

kestolove95:
by dia write up u shall know dem..pdp tinz...d only tin dat will stop mi frm votin APC next election is death.

You shall not die but live to fulfill that which your heart dearly desires to.

modath:


You shall not die but live to fulfill that which your heart dearly desires to.

may d blessings of d lord follow u all d days of ur life..#ameen..thanks

Wonderful article. Very refreshing.

[quote
author=PassingShot post=28999544]GEJ is incompetent to rule us for
another four years. He has failed for the past six years. EOD.[/quote]
Buhari is much more clueless & incompetent, a man without boldness, just bn pushed to power by desperadoes.

Desric:
Read yourself again, Are you really proud that you took out your precious time to write this? Answer me.

Maybe you dnt have anything reasonable to say

BobNeli:
Maybe you dnt have anything reasonable to say

How to become a jonathanian

1. Throw away your brain.
2.Say Buhari is boko haram
3. Blame apc for Gej maladministration.
4. Call anybody against Gej boko haram
5. Support impunity/injustice..

win1234:

Buhari is much more clueless & incompetent, a man without boldness, just bn pushed to power by desperadoes.

initially he was a perpetual failure and unelectable, APC was dead on arrival, today the story has changed to calling of names, researching wikileaks and unfounded lies and propaganda. This is too childish for crying out loud, why can't you guys be mature, civil and responsible for ones? Anyway "How to become a jonathanian

1. Throw away your brain.
2.Say Buhari is boko haram
3. Blame apc for Gej maladministration.
4. Call anybody against Gej boko haram
5. Support impunity/injustice.."

My vote went for GEJ in 2011 n in 2015 it will also go for him, GMB n apc can eat pork for all I care. Bunch of hypocrite n old men.

Op u don't need this many hav been brain washed
They want change yet they sell there messiah base on lies.. Like he built all refineries, no religious crisis, his daughter married a Christian, his cooks are Christians, he did more projects across Nigeria than all pdp era has done, E. T. C
But thank God for the likes of Awolowo that expose us to education and we aren't like his fellow dullards (North) only those that wanted to be deceived will they fail to check history,
Yoruba and igbos legends Were victimized by buahri:someone that sees our heroes as corrupt men and deserves imprisonment for no peculiar offence is now hail as the messiah
Let everyone vote his or her own choice
If you think GMB is d messiah vote him
If u think GEJ till 2019 vote him

Will all we be responsible for whatever befall this country

Voting buhari is like getting away from frying pan and getting in to fire,Nigerians be warned

kestolove95:
by dia write up u shall know dem..pdp tinz...d only tin dat will stop mi frm votin APC next election is death.

haba has it gotten to this...whose Death..

kestolove95:
by dia write up u shall know dem..pdp tinz...d only tin dat will stop mi frm votin APC next election is death.

haba has it gotten to this...whose Death..

......

I thought 'stealing is not corruption'?

I hope you have sent copies of your 'amazing poetry' to the EFCC, so that they can immediately start probing Tinubu and Amaechi?

pmc01:
I thought 'stealing is not corruption'?

I hope you have sent copies of your 'amazing poetry' to the EFCC, so that they can immediately start probing Tinubu and Amaechi?

actually stealing isnt corruption, thats why theres two separate entries for stealing and corruption in Dictionary.

Desric:
How to become a jonathanian

1. Throw away your brain.
2.Say Buhari is boko haram
3. Blame apc for Gej maladministration.
4. Call anybody against Gej boko haram
5. Support impunity/injustice..

. Where did u coppy that from? U sound so much like a copy cat. Well, that sturf still makes no sense. Look for something else to copy cos I know u can't reason anything out of coconut u call head