THE ARROGANCE OF DELUSION

The answers to a couple of very simple questions will put to bed the debate over the sanity or otherwise of the political space in Nigeria. Firstly, which sane politician in a sane democracy would go about predicting with absolute certainty that their political party would win an election, come rain or sunshine? Secondly, which sane politician in a sane democracy would discountenance the role of the electorate in deciding the outcome of elections? These questions are so simple that the sanity of the writer himself may be brought into question. However, the answers to those questions will reveal the extent of the irrelevance to which the Nigerian electorate has been reduced. Therein lie our misadventure and misfortune, as a nation. This is not to be debased as a ranting piece, but a honest, rational and critical appraisal of fourteen years of democratic rule in Nigeria. When Jonathan goes about firmly predicting (as he did in his latest customarily dopey response to a question in Germany) that the PDP would not be affected by the defection of some disgruntled elements in his party, and that the PDP remains the party to beat, then alarm bells should be ringing well in advance of 2015. The role of the electorate has, implicitly, been removed from the equation. If this isn't the arrogance of delusion, I don't know what is. Two recent world events would do well to focus minds here.

The whole world has, since last Thursday, been mourning the passing of Nelson Mandela. Nothing I write of him could ever do justice to his standing in the eyes of the world, but thankfully, he was African. If an African could be so celebrated in life and even more so in death, then, corrupt and directionless leadership is NOT, as it is often claimed, an African problem. It is a 'people' problem borne out of personal greed, unconscionable conduct in public office, absolute wickedness of thought and irrational propensity to the illicit accumulation of wealth. This was a man who sacrificed almost his entire adult life for the cause of his people and country. He didn't allow personal bitterness to becloud his vision for his country and went about the business of government dismantling established structures and erecting new frontiers of hope, reconciliation and unity. He died with no billions stashed away in foreign accounts. He died with no mansions in London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Dubai, and so on. He served a single term as President and willingly left the scene, with the jokingly-stated warning that he should not be called, but that he would call. His sense of duty and humour, loyalty and devotion is well-documented. None of these God-forsaken Nigerian politicians is remotely good enough to tie his shoe laces. Now, they are all falling over one another extolling his virtues! Valueless and egoistic creatures, the lot of them.

Now, how about the event that has been taking place in Thailand over the past couple of weeks or so? Organized civil disobedience and widespread protests have forced the Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, to dissolve Parliament and call elections. What better example of people power? What was the premise of the protests? Corruption. Simple. The inordinately widening gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' and the lack of accountability at the heart of government have rankled the people so much that they took to the streets and demanded the resignation of the government and flatly refusing to dialogue. This is a country of about 70 million inhabitants, less than half the population of Nigeria. The ruling elite in Nigeria think and behave as if this could not happen in Nigeria. Still, a symptom of the arrogance of delusion.

We shall see; yes indeed, we shall see. They don't know it yet, but a rude awakening lies ahead and their stolen billions will not save them. Shameless common criminals.