Nigeria’s problem is the elite

The problems of Nigeria are more of the consequences of elite collusion in repression of the masses than tribal and religious schisms. Irrespective of their tribes and religious persuasions, the Nigerian elite live in their cocoons of privileges, power and wealth, and have no qualms in their vicious, remorseless exploitation of the masses. By their deliberate design, a disproportionate number of Nigerians - Christians, Moslems, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba - are trapped in poverty, ignorance, fear, insecurity, and homelessness.

So, when we dwell on tribe and religion, and not elitism, as the major causes of our socio-economic problems, we are missing the point.

The Nigerian elite are too inextricably bound by political, economic and social interests. In the advancement and protection of these interests, they are totally indifferent to tribe and religion.

Nigeria has the highest concentration of extreme poverty in the world. But, ironically, the Nigerian legislators remain the highest paid in the world. Irrespective of tribe and religion, no Nigerian legislator has ever objected to this unconscionably excessive remuneration. They remain united in this grand larceny, with a façade of legitimacy.

Similarly, although the constitution makes no provision for it, governors, irrespective of political party, tribal and religious affiliation, continue to appropriate from state government coffers huge sums every month, as security vote.

Lamentably, some of these governors that expropriate this humongous amount of money every month still refuse to pay state government employees their monthly salaries.

The salvation of the Nigerian masses will come once we realise that the feud is between the masses and the elite, not between Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani and Moslems and Christians.

Tribal and religious rifts are only necessary and veritable tools of the elite in stoking divisions among the masses. their role to the background. Traditional institutions have been deliberately weakened by colonial fiat. The emirs, who hitherto exercised genuine power and authority, are now at the mercy of the politicians. State administrators who are politicians of different persuasions are leveraging that policy to get control of monarchs. Hence, they relegated them to mere advisory bodies.

The fact is we (Katagum) are currently experiencing leadership transition, realignment and tortuous learning curve occasioned by the demise of our indefatigably formidable leaders mentioned earlier. Among the plethora of our people in the government, academia, politics, and the business circles, we need some with powerful will, who first see the improvement in the quality of our people above personal consideration and aggrandisement. Until we find some who fit this description, Katagum would continue to wallow in confusion and remain vulnerable and divided. Our earnest prayer is for the present set of leaders to seamlessly occupy and steer our affairs selflessly. May Allah, the God of majesty and splendour, continue to guide us aright.