By Remi Oyeyemi
Like
millions of other Nigerians, one is very concerned. One is concerned about the
subsisting chaos in our social order. One is concerned about the turbulence in
our economic condition. One is worried about the glorification of charlatanism
in our political landscape. One is disturbed about the morass of our moral
mill. The absence of integrity, the discountenance of dignity, the disrespect
of reason and disregard of facts all combine to give one serious concerns about
Nigeria.
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| *Remi Oyeyemi |
When
one traverses the social media, rummages through the newspapers, and listens to
real life experiences of Nigerians, one could feel the concern of Nigerians.
From discussions with variety of Nigerians, irrespective of the social,
economic and political status, the concerns have been evident. One could fathom
that Nigerians wanted solutions to the manifesting myriad of problems. One
would come away with the fact that Nigerian are fed up with the situation in the
country.
But
what is not very clear is how ready are Nigerians of all hue and clime to get
off the sidelines and be involved in changing the course of their destinies.
Their attitude of believing in a messiah to come around and liberate them might
not be the best one given what we have witnessed so far. It is becoming
increasingly self evident that Nigerians have to stand up and take control of
their destiny by getting off the sidelines.
It is
one’s belief that time is now for all of us to get off our laptops, drop our
pens, stop complaining and get off the sidelines. It is time for all of us to
accept the fact that we are the captains of our souls. Not all of us can be
president. Not all of us can be senators. Not all of us can be governors. But
certainly all of us can be active participants in the political process.
Through our participation we would all be able to work together to forge a new
destiny for our country, forge a new country for our children and for the
posterity.
“Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a
matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be
achieved” – William Jennings Bryan
With
our active participation as individuals or as members of groups we would be
able to decide on the direction of the country and the type of policies that
have to be in place. We would be able to hold our leaders accountable. If
someone is a local government chairman and he is not able to declare his
assets, we would be able to hold him accountable or force him to leave office. Any councilor that lives beyond his
means could be held accountable. House of Assembly members would be forced to
be accountable on their stewardship.
The
Senators who collect constituency allowance and spend such on their girlfriends
would be made to answer questions. Those who become commissioners and live
beyond their incomes would have some explanations to do. The political party
operatives would not be allowed to get away with deceit and deception. Party
platforms and promises would be seriously adhered to. Presidents or governors
would not get into the office and deny their promises made during campaigns. All these could be possible only
through mass participation in the political process.
Mass
participation is the heart and soul of democracy. It is the life blood of
freedom. It is the best check and balance for governance. Mass participation is
the best form of holding elected officers accountable. If our elected officers
know that we are all paying attention, they would think twice before they steal
our commonwealth or engage in any other form of corruption. If our elected
officers know that we are informed and very much aware of the way the process
works, they would not be able to hold us to ransom or deceive us.
