RE-EXAMINING OUR CYNICISM: THE POST-CONFAB POLITICS

RE-EXAMINING OUR CYNICISM: THE POST-CONFAB POLITICS

By Kay Aderibigbe

 

My cousin wrote on his Facebook wall about how disappointing the 2014 Confab had turned out to be , but someone labelled him a cynic whose camp may fall anytime soon. I culled from the profile of this 'optimist' that he was born in 1962. Apparently, he witnessed all the Confabs in post-colonial Nigeria. He also enjoyed some free education. At the moment, he works in the civil service. He should be able to recount the outcome of his optimism towards misgovernance in this part of the world because he had a better experience of militarization of politics than anybody in our 'generation of cynics'.

 

Not more than three days later, I met some men who are of the same age grade with the man just described and their response on how the Confab had fared was invariant. If these early Nigerians are 'normal people' how come did Nelson Mandela said "Nigeria is made up of people who are naturally comfortable with poverty since they tolerated irresponsible regimes beyond common sense"?

 

It is against this backdrop that we have opted to juxtapose the recommendations of the conference with the realities of our society, because John Plamenatz opined  that "every thinker, even the most abstract is deeply influenced by the circumstance of his day"

 

With an estimated crunchy official amount of #7bn, a total of 492 persons were contracted to discuss issues relating to the state of the nation (excluding the concept of Nigerianity). A distillate of apolitical and seasonal politicians that made up the delegates gave us some interesting an unconventional 'dramas'. The participatory Nigerian public were keen at the mood with which some salient topical issues were  being propagated albeit the much-touted ratification that is expected through the National Assembly, if it will ever happen.

 

Some monumental failures can be identified from the just concluded talk-show. To mention a few, the delegates did not deem it fit to nip in the bud the menace of insecurity with the platform given to them (since it is a rare opportunity). Secondly, they did not see anything wrong with the politics of budget that wouldn't materialize at every January, as such, legitimizing the delay tactics that characterizes a previous year budget running into non-implementation with the current year. Thirdly, majority of their thoughts/decisions were clouded by ethnic sentiments and chauvinism. Finally, they failed at prescribing a plausible panacea for our ailing democracy because their sense of commitment to Nigerian nationhood had been eroded by political patronage.

 

Political talk show over the years is a symbolism of non-agreeable consensus. While the problem created  by this very one is that it has divided more sharply that strata, which existed between North and South because the nucleus of its operation had degenerated into political chaos and consequently, given the room to downplay its significance by the National Assembly. Why then have we spent so much money on disagreement over what we knew have political error? The time, purpose and dramatis personae are error-based, period!

 

Scientific examinations of past political conferences have led us to the conclusion that government in most cases resort to Confab as a means to pacifying  the public. Political actors would rather disregard the findings and recommendations made because it is always invasive of their plutocratic personalities. Even, at that, we were earnestly awaiting a situation where the delegates would pin point a particular social issue (at least from the myriad available).

 

The request by Mr. President that National Assembly should approve a loan of #1bn in order to fight terrorism is an indication that the highly priced delegates do not even understand what is meant by Boko Haram and the piper, which dictated their tune never attempted to unravel the concept.

 

Meanwhile, a sum of #968bn, an amount representing 20% of the 2014 budget was earmarked for defense just on the 23rd of May this year. If I am permitted to quote the President “how do you fight what you do not see?” This symbolizes that the intricacies of security challenges at the moment is incomprehensible to the number one citizen.

In a plane language, Confab could not see Boko Haram despite its ubiquity in the North East. Then, what have they seen? More states to be created I presume. I sincerely wish the president and his cohorts will use the loan in the right way. Let the truth be told; if we continue as a state, to take with levity or politicize insecurity challenges, what we will get in return is the demonization of the minds of minors and teenage girls who now blow up themselves as instrument of terrorism.

 

The minister of information and those that are versed in the art of falsifying societal realities are yet to come out and deny that those kidnapped Chibok girls are not the same kids bombing themselves as suicide agents. Since the state is aware of the deep-seated hatred in the minds of perpetrators of terrorism in Nigeria today I don't think any amount is too much to drive the country out of madness, but the sincerity of purpose and seriousness of government towards our social contract are the factor that matter to me.

 

I will eschew the trend of our cynicism for the time being and pray that the Almighty God sow discord in the midst of those that are behind Boko Haram so that we can breathe peace in Nigeria, (Amen).