Everyone loves a witch hunt as long as it is someone else’s witch that’s being hunted. – Walter Krin
The 2015 general elections have come and gone but we all would no doubt agree that the drama and intrigues which the election was fraught with left some indelible memories in our collective minds. We were dealt a blow I hope we would recover from, and very soon I pray for sanity and posterity’s sake. The walter Krin’s profound comment which preluded this article becomes even more relevant in the wake of the demise of the former Governor of Bayelsa of state, DPR Diepreye Alameisieyagha who until his death was a wanted man in faraway UK over allegations of money laundering. So grave were these allegations that he subsequently had to disguise as a woman and flee the UK to evade capture in a move that put his bail in jeopardy. However sad the reality of his passing was for very many reasons across variegated lines of socio-political interests, it nonetheless opened the core of our national existence for all to take a look, and what an ugly sight it was.
From late September last year when the change mantra that brought in the ruling government into power after an interplay of political forces, and most importantly the will of the people of Nigeria to effect a change in the Nigerian political narrative, I thought we were in a for a swell time as Nigerians, because unprecedentedly, I saw a crop of young men and women like me voice out their concerns about how badly we have had it leadership wise as a country post military era. Not only were they justifiably concerned, they had summoned the zeal to get involved politically, and placed their bet on General Muhammadu Buhari. But to my utmost consternation, we seem to be getting it all wrong all over again and I’m afraid this time it will be more terrible. While I’m totally in for an anti-corruption battle that rids this nation of the bad name that our leaders have christened us by their deeds and most importantly our own lackadaisical attitude towards events around us, I just certainly will not dim my searchlight when it is the turn to look inward into people who championed the cause with me irrespective of how much I would be hurt for this country’s sake.
In light of President Buhari’s unveiling of his would be ministers, there have been various substantial and heart rending allegations of financial recklessness, embezzlement, and inflation of contract sums against beloved generals of the change march that brought in our much loved president when they held sway in office in various capacities. Even though the authenticity of the corruption allegations leveled against the likes of Fashola and Amachie have not been affirmed by the pronouncement of any competent court, they still have the rupple effect of casting doubts on the anti-corruption battle supposedly embarked upon by the incumbent administration. What further beats me is that, it seems to me that there is no excuse left in the world that has not been deployed in the defence of these individuals by their admirers (of which I’m one), while conveniently burying the real allegations by burying them under utter balderdash and illogical logics while ironically on the other hand dealing heavy criticism and sometimes curses on anyone caught in the same web of allegations within the same scenario frame; Diezani Madueke and host of other political appointees of the immediate past administration being typical examples of scapegoats for offences we could drag many more big fishes on both sides of the divide into. Such hypocrisy!
The foregoing then raises the elusive question: what do Nigerians hate exactly? Corruption itself or its agent(s)? If you ask me, I’d go for the latter as evident in the manner in which so called youths defend the nefarious, padded, perfidious and praetorian profiteering of these supposed leaders who probably do not even know they exist. Like Noam Chomsky, one whose teachings I have come to appreciate over the years said, “corruption discourse have been relegated to this, For the powerful, and one who has a strong voice enough to condemn, Crimes are those others we don’t agree with commit”. In recent times, hypocrisy have, by our actions and defence of who belongs to our tribe or alliances, when caught doing something you would naturally lampoon anyone on another side of the divide for, been added to the kitty of the moral burdens we carry as a nation.
Inspite of the foregoing however, I’m hopeful that one day, as recently posited by Pius Adesanmi at this year’s edition of ‘’The Platform’’ we will define corruption as it is supposed to be defined without any tribal or political prejudice that we have come used to. So that when it is the turn of your witch to be hunted, you won’t resort to rhetorics and utter malarkey for an excuse. And that Sulaiman will for once know that when he was handed 10 years imprisonment for stealing a Goat, the Judge was fair on sighting a rich popular thief becoming his new neighbour.
God Bless Nigeria! Say no to injustice, Fair is Fair!!
ADEDOJA TOSIN,
2015
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Adedoja Tosin is a passionate young Nigerian most concerned about the need for Nigeria to up her ante in every sector of life. He is a speaker, freelance writer and retailer of clothing items. Top of it all, he is a lover of God.
You can follow Tosin on Twitter: @iamTROL
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