The Power Play Between The Giants, By Akintola Abdulraman

The Power Play Between The Giants, By Akintola Abdulraman

POLITICS DIGEST – Accoding to Gerrard R. Ford: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” Years have gone, different rulers have ruled and things still remain the same. We’ve trusted them for so long in every tenure, but they kept on deceiving us. Let it be known, finding a true leader is always and will always be elusive. Looking for a perfect government is like looking for a perfect wife. No matter what they do and will keep on doing, they can’t completely take you to the moon.

Government, how do you define your government? The popular algorithm that the people are the governments has on many occasions proved to be a fallacy. To me, governments are the people ruling you based on the nation’s constitution and administrative structure. They have power to do and undo, power to make and destroy, and power to oppress and suppress.

However, the biggest rhetorics is whether the failure of the governments to care for the needs of the citizens a punishment for their ignorance or a failure on the part of the citizens to take the right steps. When the political system is not really favourable, what should be the way forward? Where are the economic gladiators ? Where are the religious and traditional leaders? I believe strategically that they are well placed to monitor the performance of the government, give them a direction and lead us to the promised land. We rely on them to speak out for our rights, but they betrayed us by selling themselves cheap to the politicians through bribery, corruption and deceit.

What really went wrong for the politicians to be controlling and cajoling the religious and traditional leaders. Today, the politicians are called the big brothers, the strongest, ready to crush any other systems that go against their wishes. They use the government and its officials, the executive, the legislative as well as those who interprets the law to propagate their selfish interest. They use the media, the technological and telecommunications’ industries to set agendas and frame realities to us on a daily basis. The politicians on a broad segment use the security apparatuses to subjugate the citizens and use the banks to make life unbearable for them. All what they need is “POWER” to render you and I powerless for us in return to be depending on them. Note that your comfort is a danger to them, they want to oppress you to the extent that you will always request for your needs from them, even though, you pay for everything given to you. Who caused this?

Now, looking at the religious and traditional leaders, they own the human capital, they control the people, they understand them from the grassroots and relate with them more. That’s why most people believe in their traditional and religious leaders and feel comfortable with them. Let’s for once imagine the religious leaders in this country calling their congregations to withdraw from all activities of politicians in the failure of their promises; followed with a second call by the traditional leaders in all the states to remind the politicians of their first duty to provide basic amenities for their people. I think that will surely be a great move. Or are they afraid of death? Definitely, everyone will face the sharp rod of death – the passed rulers have died as well. What we need right now is sacrifice and a sacrifice for all.

Though, it seems that these politicians do fail in their promises due to the action of taking the Qur’an and the Bible for granted, they see it as a joke. This is something they dare not do with the gods of the land, the gods of iron and fire, the gods of water and many other deities. These ones do not really joke with oaths, failure to your promises to the citizens, you will be strike to death, straight up and “no time to waste to time”. This was the operation system in the old-days. But, today they will prefer to swear with the Quran and the Bible and still misbehave. They keep on deceving us in the name of God. Hmmmm, God is so watchful and patient. Then, when you compare and contrast the two groups, who do you expect to overlay? Of course, it’s the religious and traditional leaders first before the politicians. But, as you can see it today, it is the other way around.

Though, from time immemorial, these politicians are still the same set of people holding the power till now. I believe you can picture some of them. They rule directly or indirectly, rule symmetrically and asymmetrically, and rule as family-friends-relatives block. No doubt, they have been paving ways for their children to come on board to rule you again, they dominate the entire political and economy system. Still, they have the power to lock and unlock using their power and financial muscles, because any billions they spend on security and health issues, there would be anyone to challenge them. Who are you to challenge a sitting government ! And fighting them looks like a waste of time.

Yes, it’s good to admit that politicians are the backbone of this country, they are the strongest, the unshakable and their final decision will surely affect you directly or indirectly and whether you like it or not. However, I blame the religious and traditional leaders more for keeping mute even when they witness the hell the citizens pass through. May be they have been eating in the same plates and meeting in the same gatherings, so speaking out on those matters will seem like a betrayal. The religious and traditional leaders were meant to be like fathers to the politicians, act like supervisors and special advisers, but it seems something is wrong somewhere. I was even expecting the economic leaders running world class businesses in this country to have a say in regulating the government to ease burdens on the citizens, but they have been eating in the same plates with the politicians as well, and do not want any policy to affect their businesses, this is why they will keep on remaining silent.

All in all, I will have to drop the pen now and advise you a bit. You reader, I believe you want a better future for yourself and the generations after you. Today, you are in a place of power, no matter how little or big it is, just make sure you perform well even though you can’t be 100% perfect. Enjoy with all what you possess and let the people under you enjoy with you even though you are filled with lies and deceit. These things are innate in you because we all err and we aspire to perfection.

But if you find yourself uncomfortable, find a comfort zone to enjoy your life no matter the condition. Because no matter the situation, whether good or bad, some will always complain while some make progress. Just work hard and work smart to let this country be favourable for you and others.

Bad governments, worst governments, people are progressing in life by performing wonders. No money, no money, but when you fall sick, the money will surely come out from different sources. No enjoyment of life, but if you die today, that’s when they will celebrate you and spend the money they couldn’t give you on your funerals.

This what led me to the word of Confucius when he declared that “When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of”. So, there is no need complaining, just play your parts as I do mine and I believe our collective efforts will surely pay sooner or later. And with time and perseverance, things are surely going to get far more better than the way it’s today. We’ve come from a far, and let hope for a better life and a caring government.

I rest my case !

Abdulraman, is an advocate of social change.