Unsavoury Nigerian Politics and Politicians

Abstract

Politics and Politicians 1. Background The trajectory of Nigerian democracy is seen as a hoax and at best described as "groping in unending experimentation in governance and government". In some climes, politics is seen and regarded as a call for total service to one's fatherland. It suggests sacrifice involving money, time and other resources that can propel the growth and development of that society and further consolidate human relations. As observed by Ayuk (2015), issues in, and of politics should be more organised to create conditions that are people-driven, generate income, increase wellbeing, reduce vulnerability and improve security. No doubt, politics as being alluded to, is a struggle, contestation, agreement and disagreement by persons under a platform (party in Nigeria; in some other countries, independent candidacy) to access power via people's mandates, with the sole aim of authoritatively allocating resources-provide security and welfare for the general welfare of the society. However, this process, even though structured, especially in the Nigerian context, it should observe basic democratic tenets (within the framework of the rule of law) to reflect sense of civility and orderliness. The ideals of effective livelihood that recognizes impartiality which is tied on security, employment, infrastructure etc. should be a direct correlation that fundamentally defines politics. Unfortunately, politics in the truest sense in Nigeria is a travesty painted with different colours of brinkmanship, lawlessness, threats and counter-threats, which ultimately leads to breakdown of law. An average politician in Nigeria is a law to himself especially if he or she is in the party in power. They exhibit clear disdain to the law, impunity reigns supreme and characteristically self-serving. More appalling is the fact that, conversations in this sphere has always been "winner takes all", including not only appointive positions but the common wealth of the nation; and decide illegitimately how to loot what, who and how to the detriment of the citizens. Again, there exists an inverse relationship when one fraudulently assumes power, in that, a clear wall of demarcation is established between the electorates they hoodwinked into political office(s)-a narrative of "elitism" defines and classifies them, with their "godfather" in a prebendalistic engagement. In this circumstance, service which is the hallmark of politics becomes secondary as their loyalty at this instance is to the "godfather" and themselves. For them, Nigerians can starve to death for all they care-even more concerning is that, this strategy is reinforced to perpetually consign majority of people to poverty so that they can be easily manipulated to continuous servitude (Ayuk, 2018).