Keyamo, really, I don’t think so!

By Etaghene Edirin…

Few days back, a notable Lagos-based lawyer, Festus Keyamo was appointed as the spokesman of the Buhari campaign team. This, also a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari announced his intention to vie for re-election into the exalted seat of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Expectedly, many Nigerians voiced their disappointment at Keyamo, suggesting that he had sold out, and traded his activism in exchange for pecuniary reward. Some went as far as saying all his criticisms, and fights against successive governments, was aimed at this one purpose; to get patronage from government, or an appointment.

In his defense, Keyamo issued a lengthy statement trying to explain why he accepted to serve to return an administration many Nigerians couldn’t wait to show the exit door. Keyamo argued that his love for, and decision to help return Buhari is solely because the man has integrity. He stated that what matters is Buhari’s integrity, not his age!

There have been back and forth arguments on Buhari’s integrity, and age, by analysts and stakeholders, and many have faulted both, that they are not in his favour.

Keyamo all but presented the usual sing-song of political sycophants, and favour seekers, who campaign fervently that a personality is the only saviour and messiah, to be found in a population of over 150 million people who can save the country from whatever picture of peril they can conjure.

Let’s accept Keyamo, and others’ arguments that Buhari is God-sent, and that without him, Nigeria will go to the dogs. Let’s assume Buhari is the only man in all of the political sphere that can kill corruption in Nigeria.

Don’t forget, the same thing was said of Abacha at a time. So let’s vote Buhari again. Let him serve for another four years. Then what?

Can Buhari in all truthfulness cleanse the country of corrupt politicians, and graft that has assumed an official status in the country in another four years?

Can he right the many wrongs that have bedeviled this country for a long time, and which still holds it back, if he is re-elected?

Of course there will be arguments for and against Buhari in this regards. His supporters will eulogize him to high heavens, citing what he has achieved so far, while on the other hand, his opponents will argue strongly, and give good reasons and examples why Buhari cannot be trusted, or entrusted with the fate of Nigeria for another four years.

Read also: 2019: Does Buhari deserve our votes?

Away from these arguments, a pertinent question still remains unanswered. How long shall we as a people, and nation continue to delude ourselves, and argue over who will save us based on the side of cake-sharing divide we find ourselves.

What is four years in the life of a nation if we don’t get it right?

Injustice, wanton killings, ethnic strifes, wholesale looting of our common patrimony, underdevelopment despite the huge resources available and widespread poverty among others are prevalent in the land, yet we argue and fight over individuals who will occupy offices, just so we, in return can also get a piece of the action.

This has been happening since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civilian rule. But truly what has actually changed for the average Nigerian, or the polity in terms of the woes mentioned above.

Truly, what any patriotic and selfless Nigerian should be doing now is to fight to strengthen our institutions, and overhaul the entire system, to cause a disruptive change from the norm, and nonsense that presently exist.

There is a need to change the Justice delivery system, to ensure that criminals, and evil-doers pay for their crimes, not the lip service government officials reel out every time an atrocity is committed in any part of the country.

Take for example, the audacious invasion of the nation’s federal upper legislative chamber by thugs, who took away the symbol of authority, the mace in efforts to halt proceedings, and probably hold the legislature to ransom.

It would not be out of place to bet that four years from now, absolutely no punishment would have befallen either the mastermind, or the perpetrators of this heinous crime!

There are countless instances where audacious crimes by individuals and groups in the country, have been swept under the carpet, a situation that has numbed Nigerians from asking for justice, whenever a greater crime is committed.

Instead of fighting over mortals, and presenting them as gods, there is a need to reform a system that rewards mediocrity ahead of merit. Where known corrupt individuals are celebrated, and they hold sway in many strategic positions of authority.

The system allows public officials to dip their hands at will into the public till, and convert our common patrimony into their personal wealth. Where funds that can build roads, hospitals, schools, provide electricity or pay workers among others, are used by a few individuals to build mansions, buy private jets and live like lords, in the midst of penury, when some families can hardly afford one good meal a day.

The system gives government officials, and a few privileged groups leeway to act with impunity, and hold the people in disdain. This should be the focus, not particularly who occupies the exalted political offices. Because if the system works, the wrong people will have a hard time getting into these offices in the first place.

A society where crime pays, and inefficiency is rewarded, while public officials get no consequence for non performance, or misusing their offices, should be what any right thinking Nigerian should be fighting to change, not trying to be part of the government by all means.

Truly speaking Keyamo, the arguments of age and integrity aside, with your new portfolio, would you be willing to speak blunt truth to this administration you are now part of, if it goofs. Or would you be willing to resign if you wake up to discover that the man Buhari is not what your former boss and mentor, Gani Fawehinmi thought him to be?

 

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