Let's Confront The "Generational Change" Question

Africans have no quarrels with age. We revere, venerate and celebrate our elders. So may it be, so shall it be, for aye. All elders are accorded this high honour, until they disprove and disown the status!

One sure station at which elders easily unravel and discredit themselves is politics. It is the open marketplace in which nothing is hidden anymore. And for them elders, we mourn. Very bad sore all over the land! Yes, we must mourn.

At first we permitted the so-called learning process, teething period. But after several decades of the same shenanigans, no more! How come they know how to manipulate, break all laws with impunity, steal the thunder out of the electoral process, loot the daylight out of tight national treasuries, find and locate, and then stash obscene sums in off-shore safe havens, plus luxurious properties in the poshest neighbourhoods abroad? How come they are experts in selling our collective patrimony to themselves, using the most devious means to cleverly appropriate our commonwealth? Yet, they cannot run our affairs in consonance with their oath of office? Damn, we must now ask our elders, and be pointedly tasking about it.

Do they see what "elders" and "seniors" do elsewhere? Especially in those developed economies where they so frequent, and even made alternative home(s)? Why have our elders blocked our progress this long, this bad, this shamelessly? Answers, please...No more hedging or hiding.

Now, let's be clear and fair. There are millions of honourable and wonderful elders in the land. Indeed, we are so blessed with the stock. And that is the problem. How did the wrong ones get to take-over??? And why did they last so long on the wrong path??? Now, we be all smeared. Why and how did the multitude follow the few to sin??? Now, we be all damned.

The Chinua Achebe Foundation's interview series and other media reminiscences with senior citizens, as well as memoirs of retired persons, have been eye-openers! Lamentations galore!!!
No matter. Point now is, what next? Where is salvation, come Election 2007?

I think political parties need to take this matter on board. We must ask the pointed questions. They sh

Cost of Elections (1)

We thank the president for advising all political parties to reduce the cost of seeking electoral office in Nigeria, from Election 2007. Thank you, sir!

Following the sensible limits placed on electoral spendings by parliament in the new Electoral Act, it should be clear to the parties how much we need to clean things up. I will not chastise the ruling party for the very bad example it has set in fixing such high application fees - N5m for presidential, N3m for governorship, etc - since their leader has openly opposed same in his public advice. I call for compliance. Let it be said, too, that the party wisely and commendably exempted women from all fees. Bravo!

Without putting a fine point on it, N5million will create between ten and twenty SMEs/cottage industries in any local government area of Nigeria. If such funds are extracted from candidates, even before their parties' primaries, we are already sowing the seeds of desperation, thuggery, and cut-throat contestation instead of healthy competition. Unacceptable.

May we tell our politicians that political office, whether by election or selection, is not a bazaar - not for sale. We have no room for the "highest bidder" syndrome of the ignoble past anymore. It is one reason Nigerians are clamouring for Independent Candidacy. And we will have it come the next parliament. Before then, let the parties do right: create a level playing field for all.

What do I think? All fees should be reduced to the minimum wage level, if possible; but in any case, not higher than N10,000 for presidential bids. Let the parties find better ways to screen and weed, as well as fundraise at election time.

Politics of money-bags, and godfatherism, belong to the dustbin of our dirty past! Over.

Let's Warn Abuja

The president has, predictedly, disowned the Third Termites! Chief Olusegun Obasanjo told the 'Associated Press' that he was never interested in, and thus not intended on, the failed tenure elongation bid!! Yet, he allowed the monster to tendentiously over-heat the polity, and badly damage his presidency!!! We must shudder.

Right now, therefore, let's warn Abuja. The dark forces within the ruling party and the corridors of power are at it again. They are using security agencies to settle political scores, mounting weird vendettas, and harassing the media. They must be stopped. And removed.

If the president does not rein them in, let the National Assembly do so. Fast.

Abuja, beware! No more evil, please.