ERA OF DIVERSIONARY LEGISLATURE IN NIGERIA

In the March – April edition of Socialist Worker, the flagship publication of Socialist Workers League, the cover screams: “Bungling Bosses” and with a rider: “Throw them Out”. It ends with the admonition: Build Power from Below”. The cover reads: the political situation in Nigeria is a tragic- comedy as the country is ruled by a ruinous ruling class of parasitic politicians and self-serving entrepreneurs.

Given the diversionary tactic characteristics of the legislative arm of government, which often plays out in the face of serious national issues, we on the left doubt if the bosses can provide leadership for social progress. The politicians who represent these bosses while claiming to represent us all are the most obvious players in the comedy of the absurd which they painfully drag us through. For instance, the custom boss uniform saga and the integrity question poised for the EFCC boss. These integrity antics are coming from a legislature filled with predominantly questionable members with low integrity quotient. On the African continent, the experiment with democracy is locked in the deficit trap. The people do not understand the function of the legislature - this includes the legislators themselves.

If they realise that the legislature is the first arm of government, the real essence of democracy, the moment they realise this, democracy will be stabilised. People of questionable character thrown up in elections that are clearly a mockery of democracy have been the greatest obstacle to growth and development on the continent and Nigeria in particular. The law makers lost touch with the people in times of hardship and even recession, when the masses are groaning under burden of high cost of living, hunger and extreme poverty.

Yet, our Legislators clamoured for all kind of allowances and imported official cars. They who enjoy mandates of the people must learn to show concern by jettisoning personal aggrandisement. They have been wasting time on compelling the Acting Comptroller of Customs to wear uniform as a diversionary tactics to shift the masses attention from the stark social economic and political realities of today.

Our legislators are bereft of any historical knowledge of how Europe underdeveloped Africa, hence their unmitigated betrayal of the people who they represent their collective interests. Until today, after centuries of unequal trade relations between Europe and Africa that led to Africa’s underdevelopment, African political elites continue to loot and repatriate to develop Europe.

Comrade Ogbu A. Ameh, Onwaters2011@gmail.com