THE JEG AND GMB: A CASE OF TWO EVILS

The independence wave of the sixties was a period full of

expectation and hope, the dawn of a new era for Africa in general
and Nigeria in particular. However, the reality was a lot less
assured, once the elation of nationhood had evaporated, what
was left were group of people struggling to come to terms on how
to get things right.
Never in the history of Nigeria has hope been hopelessly dashed,
faith rudely compromised, promises willfully and consciously
broken, future of youths mortgaged, resources squandered,
priorities

brazenly

misplaced

and

confidence

betrayed

as

experienced today. Parents watch the dreams of their children

evaporated and many families that need help cannot find help in
the mist of plenty and abundance. It is a sad commentary to note
that after 54 years of independence, Nigeria is in growing pain for
good leadership, deep water of nationhood and deeply muddled
in election mess.
Interestingly, election is the only way through which leaders are
being choosing in a democratic state. However, it is very
unfortunate that the Nigerian experience can best be described
as selection. The leaders of this country are not the true reflection
of the electorate. In fact, it is a journey well-travelled since 1999.
Obasanjo was obviously the candidate of the military while Umaru
Musa YarAdua and Goodluck Jonathan were equally foisted on
Nigerians by the old Ota farmer. The general norm of going to

Ota, Minna and Boudilon to plot the political graph of the country
without adequate consideration for competence and performance
is lamentable.
But this ugly situation had variously been emphasized; just like an
illness whose malignant path has been clinically dissected, the
political journey traveled so far since 1999 as manifested in our
democratic expedition is an aimless deep sea beclouded by
inclement weather and with bestial cogs of messianic selfdelusion.
Nigeria is on the march again, heading towards another political
transition. All eyes are now on the presidential candidates of both
the PDP and APC. Nigerians watch the lips of these two political
parties for political direction and what we got is a pure case of
two evils both tested and found wanting in one way or the other.
The question begging for answer is that are these people the best
brain for this job? Are they the best their parties have to offer?
Your guess is as good as mine. Sincerely speaking, we have had
enough of leaders who use state power as a tool for milking the
nation dry. We have had enough of leaders looting the treasury in
an unmitigated proportion.

We are tired of lack of electricity

supply, bad living conditions, unemployment and insecurity of

lives and properties just to mention but a few.
Some people rose to apex of power by dint of sheer luck and got
overwhelmed by the behemoth of the office. We dont want
leaders who lack vision and the intellectual flexibility to sail the

ship of state.

The position of the president is not snap. It is a

position for decision making, responsibility which is highly

grueling and tedious. But so far we have leaders who did not like
the grind; but preferred the grandeur of the office. We have had
enough of presidents who are famed for their indecisions and lost
of focus. Leaders who vacillate where they are suppose to be
decisive, advertised weakness where courage is required and
prevaricated

and

procrastinated

where

action

is

required.

However, the reverse is the case when it comes to looting of the

treasury. They are very swift, decisive and courageous.
I want to state that Nigeria has continued to struggle due to get
things right due to ethnic plurality. This factor has made
democracy unworkable in this country. Nigeria is the third most
pluralized nation in the world after Haiti and India. In a nation
where you have different tribes and cultures like Nigeria, there is
always a room for the fear of ethnic domination. This gave birth to
the zoning system of government so that every sector and
interest can be adequately represented.

I have never been an

advocate for the zoning system because we all know that the
rumble for power distribution provided by the zoning system will
never work for us and will never give us the type of leadership
desired and required by the people of this country. Such idea is
built on the foundation of nepotism and tribalism and against the
interest of all. It is obviously a ploy by the power brokers to create
an enabling environment for ethnicity, regionalism, corruption as
well

as

economic

mismanagement

and

inept

leadership.

Consequently, sustaining and allocating larger favour to the

region or sector that produced the leader at the detriment of all.
Regrettably, so many capable and competent Nigerians cannot
vie for the presidency all because it is either their turn has passed
or it is not yet their turn. If this was not the case, there is no way
Nigerians will be battling with the two evil provided for election by
the two major political parties in the country. Both candidates
have

been

tested

and

found

wanting

in

terms

of

their

performance credentials.
Though we desire continuity but not continuity for a government
now tag as haters of the poor and the downtrodden. We dont
want continuity for a government famed for making poverty his
creed, starvation his staff and hunger his weapon of tormenting
Nigerians.
Also, those who cry for change are old wine in new bottle. By
their present age, they should be enjoying the sweetness of
retirement. Their quest for power at all cost on the premise that
they can do a better job than those entrusted with doing the job
will only make Nigeria an Abiku Republic and not the change
Nigerians are clamouring for.
Sadly, we are now left with two evils for the task of fashioning a
new Nigeria in the next four years. But the decision by the
political big names or the so called power brokers has narrowed
down the options of Nigerians. By implication, we have to make

do with the JEG or the GMB depending on whose side the

pendulum of victory will wing. What a shame!

Abiodun Aladetan
Labour practitioner from Lagos
aladetanabiodun@gmail.com
07031326644