A SOT OF THE DANGEROUS SORT

In strict compliance with tradition, I wish regular readers, and new ones, a Happy New Year. There may be  zillions of reasons to temper this optimistic beginning to 2013 with sombre reflections of what went before, but one mustn't let such considerations dampen the general mood, for now at least. I was minded to say Happy New Same but changed my mind at the very last minute for fear of being labelled a party-pooper, if you get my drift.

In view of the aforementioned, one is obliged to mind the tone of this first post of 2013, and to gently point attention to what one might reasonably expect from the 'class act' that this 'superbly-led' Jonathan administration has become. The bar for 2013 will have to be set as low as possible such that this class of 'Cash & Carry' politicians could not conceivably fail to scale it.

As always, Jonathan was bullish about corruption in his New Year Address, and I'm certain that nobody took him seriously. I'm even more certain that he didn't take himself seriously either. How could he have believed himself when days earlier, at the funeral of Azazi, he spat “We talk about corruption as if it is the cause of our problems; the government has also been fighting corruption.” This is a moron who doesn't believe corruption is the cause of our problems. Now, if he doesn't believe so, how does one expect him to wholeheartedly fight the scourge? The strength of his conviction in this matter is as much as that of a famished tiger passing by uninterestedly a tired-looking fat gazelle. For a President to come up with such drivel is rank stupidity and an unsurpassable arrant nonsense. This bloke is clearly a sot of the dangerous sort whose inadequacies and deficiencies his cohorts and appendages think they are shielding from public scrutiny. Nigeria has been cursed with this clan of unreason that needs disbanding sooner rather than later. The request we make of Jonathan now is simple: launch a full, comprehensive and an uncompromising assault on corruption and corrupt practices; do and be seen to be doing. Don't waste our time with your posturing. Your words mean absolute jack. Your words infuriate rather than soothe. That's that.

Another important issue that resonates deeply with Nigerians is that of power generation and supply. It may be true that there's a slight improvement in this regard, but it is nothing for you, Jonathan, to shout from the rooftop about because billions have been expended on restructuring and privatisation efforts. The improvement is simply not commensurate with the funds expended. Again, all down to corruption at all levels. See?

There's a long list of to-do's for you, Jonathan, but if you're only able to accomplish these two in 2013, I, like the vast majority of Nigerians, would deem you a success, and I can guarantee you that you may even begin to claw back some of the political goodwill you have deservedly lost. Accomplishing these two would provide a sure-footed springboard for much-needed improvements in other important aspects of our national life. While you're at it, rein in your attack dogs in Abati and Okupe, not to mention other hangers-on who only tell you what you wish to hear. Have the courage to weed out the loafing members of your government and make 2013 a happy year indeed for Nigerians. Mind you, I'm not holding my breath. So, there.