By Zik Gbemre

Often times I wonder if Nigerian political leaders at all levels of Government really understand the level of poverty and hardship daily experienced by the majority of the Nigerian masses. Are they really aware of how every action (whether negatively or positively), directly affects and impact the very lives, living standard and wellbeing of the people? This question becomes necessary to ask and ponder on, based on the way and manner our Nigerian political leaders at all levels often act. As if all is well with the general masses they are supposed to govern. Whereas, the situation in the country has only gone from bad to worse in the last two decades. In fact, with the ever-increasing abject poverty and hunger across every length and breadth of the country, one begins to wonder what exactly these political leaders at all levels have been doing with the enormous public wealth/resources under their states treasuries as custodians of the public purse? The situation is really alarming and urgently calls for concern.

I was practically touched, and at the same time angry, when I read a post online which described just one person’s experience, of how countless young and vibrant Nigerians are daily suffering in hunger, lack, poverty and hopelessness in a country that is actually wealthy on all sides. Here is the said narrative, as posted online: “Yesterday night at about 7pm, I was riding when I saw a dead body. Or so I thought. The body was still, in the middle of a residential area in Garki, Abuja. That’s not a regular sight, so I stopped. There where people around the body.

“The man just slumped,” someone told me. They didn’t know what to do; whether to touch him or leave him. “There’s a hospital on this street,” I volunteered. “Let’s get a doctor,” said another person. “Na BP,” someone whispered. But nobody seemed ready to listen to me. Then something happened. The dead man came back to life. Just barely. His breathing was shallow, uneven, almost nonexistent. “He’s alive!” we shouted.

Then confusion set in with different suggestions. “Let’s take him to the hospital.” “Let’s move him across the road.” “Bring water, let’s pour on him.” They moved him to a more comfortable place. Now he was lying on the pavement with his head resting on the side of a dustbin. There were two smartly dressed mobile policemen with us. Their vehicle was parked opposite were the man fell. “He needs Sprite,” one of them said. He quickly went to their van and brought half a bottle of Sprite. He held it to the man’s mouth, as he was too weak to hold the bottle. He drank it slowly. At that point, someone offered to take him to the hospital. His car was available but only if one of us would go with him. Our man on the floor at this time had recovered enough to talk.

“Please, I just need food,” he whispered. “I haven’t eaten for five days.” He looked like he was in his early thirties but life had dealt with him unfairly. We knew he was telling the truth. His eyes weren’t lying. “I have a degree in English. I’ve been walking all day and haven’t eaten. Just give me food, please.” He starting crying softly. An elder from a church across the road joined him. My eyes watered as I fought off a tear. Even policemen were teary.

“What kind of country is this?” we asked no one in particular. It was a rhetorical question. One that has been asked across the ages and across generations. Asked by the masses, and even by those sitting on the bodies of the masses. A question I suspect, may never get an answer. People sprang into action. Some went for food, some brought water. The elder rushed to get his pastor and I asked him if he had a phone. I wrote my number on a piece of paper and put it in the file that housed his CV. Yes, he had a CV with him. I told him I didn’t know what…to do for him but I’ll try.

“The boy almost died yesterday, from sheer hunger. Tears strolled down my face as I left the scene. I couldn’t help thinking of a country that chews its young and spits them out like sugar cane chaff. This is the one who fell down where others could see and help. I can’t help but wonder about the thousands no one saw, who died alone. The world is filled with empathetic people. Simon has been offered a job as a guard and N197,000 has been raised for him as of today. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming. We probably can’t save the whole world but we can start from somewhere. One person at a time, is enough sometimes.”

The sad thing about all of this is the fact that in the midst of this deplorable situation in the country, and the sufferings many young Nigerians are going through, we have on the one hand, a very small percentage of the Nigerian population who have been privileged to be in Government at all levels, but they have been getting richer and richer while the majority of the populace they are meant to SERVE, are getting poorer and poorer.

When a government, be it at any level – as the custodians of the overall public resources, has not been able to own up to its responsibilities in addressing the ‘simple basic needs’ of the people they are supposed to be governing, what should we term such a government? When a government and its cabinet, plus those actively involved as lawmakers and public office holders in such a government; go about daily enjoying the fringe benefits of being in government, allocating to themselves unimaginable bonuses and allowances even after leaving Office, and mismanaging/misappropriating public funds with reckless abandon and impunity, yet its people within the various States and the country in general, are daily going through hell just to make ends meet and eat at least one-square meal a day; what should we call such a government and political leaders? Should we call this sheer wickedness, or man’s inhuman treatment against his fellow man, or what? With such scenarios painted above becoming a daily occurrence in our urban cities across the country, do those in Government at all levels deserve any iota of praise or support? We leave you to be the judge of that!

As noted by a public affairs analyst and advocate, Smart Ofugara, while talking about the sad disposition of our political leaders: “Dem no dey hear. It’s pitiable that history of Service and life of sacrifice to the benefit of humanity and society has been thrown to the dustbins. And they steal and cause pain without conscience, and outright wickedness has been embraced to the detriment of everyone.” I only pray that the same majority of Nigerians will start seeing these political leaders for who they really are: as people that are without conscience and empathy, and who have sold their hearts to the devil hence they keep doing the evil they do against the populace, without any care in the world. And also, the majority of Nigerians should stop singing their praises, but rather shaming them and even stoning them in public places because that is exactly what they deserve.

Zik Gbemre.

December 18, 2020.

*We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes*