Can politics bring about change? What has politics help achieve in the last 18 years of democracy of Nigeria? Is politics the vehicle or catalyst for our actualization? What is the motive of the average Nigerian politician? Can politics knock out corruption? How can we fight and win as a people? Can we try change to change things?
Since 1960, we have thrived from one administration to the next, we have run the race back and forth and drop the baton half way for the next generation to pick it. We have stood together as one and fought dictatorship as a country. We have been through several phases yet we still find it miraculous to be together till date.
From 1999, we have suffered a heart attack from one civilian government to the next, 18 years into democracy; we still cannot provide basic human need like good roads, potable water, not to talk about providing good policy for business, correct monetary and economy policy and so on.
I have concluded that politics cannot solve our problem. How can few people in government overcome 200 million Nigerians? How can the whole Lagos state government house of assembly earn more than the United States president? If the executive is focused and visionary while the legislative arm have political interest, they will do anything to stop the executive. Politicians are not our solutions. The solution of this country’s problem is in the hand of the ordinary PEOPLE.
The ordinary people who will do small things to move this country forward like being diligent at work place, repair that water pipe that is burst on your street, conserve power when you can, reject bribe when we are lured, blow the whistle when you see corruption around you, solve a problem in your community, ask questions from government that will make them act correctly.
I am so sure that if 200 million people in Nigeria that are currently sleeping will be united on this change and transformation, the few in government cannot win. They will use power, force, weapon and all they have to stop us, but when we have resolved to fight corruption, injustice, inequality, underdevelopment, and so on VICTORIA ACERTA.
THOUGHT FROM A GOLDEN PEN 