My experience over the years and based on verified information has revealed the stranglehold on elected government officials by those who either sponsored their election or appointed them to high-profile positions. They are usually members of their families and friends.
These groups of people decide what document the President or state governor sees and approves. They unashamedly flaunt their influence on the ‘king’ and brag about their rights to see, hear and speak for the person in power.
The fact remains that most of those hanging around the corridors of power are not sincere people. They have no love or respect for their country and those who appointed them into the office. Most of them seek public office only for the paraphernalia and not because they desire to make any meaning and sustainable impact.
I have been part of the quest to rescue the Niger Delta Region. Unfortunately, my findings are damning and yet dangerous. Call me a coward? Yes! Sometimes, you don’t have to fight to be a man. Even Jesus at some point had to run away from the trouble to come because it was not his time.
Let us get to the real issues of this treatise.
The worsening insecurity in the country did not evolve overnight. It was an orchestrated plot that dates back to 2010 when I stumbled upon a detailed document on how a group of religious extremists had plotted to capture some villages, communities, towns and even states, which they claimed belonged to them.
The document revealed that some of the fighters were trained outside the country and when they returned, they were aided by some government officials whom they also named.
It is more or less a religious war covered with the cloak of politics. Sadly, my efforts to get the authorities to pick up the man in question, who mistakenly left the document in my guest house, failed due to lack of political will by those concerned. Of course, I had to move on.
The recent multiple attacks on our power plants, trains and railway stations could have been averted, if those responsible were proactive. We have been dealing with security issues for several years now. So it is not unimaginable that these terrorists and insurgents could shift their focus from the communities to the cities and to essential infrastructure. The present Federal Government has made inroads into the development of critical infrastructure, no doubt; but what is infrastructure without security?
It is even more disheartening to learn that the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who has helped the Federal Government develop the railway sector, had made requests for provision and funding of security for the Railway sector. Unfortunately, his efforts were grounded to a halt by some of the shenanigans who parade themselves as the “owners, movers and shakers” of the Buhari led Administration. Is this unusual? Of course, not.
I had earlier stated here how those who constitute themselves as the cabal in the corridors of power become a clog in the wheel of progress of any and every government. It has nothing to do with the age and intelligence of the President or state governor, as the case may be. They have perfected the act of hijacking those at the helm, based on what they know as the weakest points of the individual.
The much touted rescue of the Niger Delta through a Forensic Audit has again been kept comatose by this set of people. Till date, there is yet to be a substantive board for the administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Those who fought for the liberation of the NDDC were forced to torpedo the mandate with threats to their jobs. It is a clear case of “if you can’t beat them, you join them.” Who has ever resigned on the ground of perceived sabotage except where they are fired from their positions?
While I do not make excuses for the President, it is also pathetic that the situation he finds himself, even as a trained soldier who is loyal to friendship and by extension, family. The transition from a military Officer to a democrat is never an easy one.
The recent and sad events in the Railway sector ought to have consumed some persons who were part of the sabotage. Who is responsible for the delay in the approval for security funding for trains and railway stations? Nigerians ought to be calling them out right now. Instead, we are busy casting aspersions on the President, while the powerful culprits escape the hammer.
What we fear has gradually come upon us. Until we collectively wage war against the activities of insider moles in government, we will continue to read press statements that have no solution to our security challenges. The simple but hard truth is that those who come from a particular section of the country, no matter how highly placed, will remain subservient in the hands of the ‘superior’ citizens of our nation.
Enough of this bloodletting! It is about time we the people changed the face and structure of governance.
Christie Oby Ndukwe is a political analyst and President of Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative.
