The Central Think-Tank, CTT, of
the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has recounted how Nigerian lawmakers and
politicians failed and inflicted pains on the people in 2018.
In a statement made available on Monday, signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Muslim
group said it met yesterday to take a cursory look at events which dominated
the Nigerian atmosphere during the year, 2018.
The Islamic human rights
organization scored Nigerian politicians low, adding that politicians across
the spectrum have disappointed Nigerians.
The statement read, “There are
only a few exceptions. Nigerian politicians displayed astounding
unpredictability. They were consistently inconsistent. Political prostitution
rented the air in an uncontrollable manner.
“They were bereft of standards.
There was no modicum of principles. All the political parties without exception
became infected with political chameleonism.
“The Nigerian political landscape
experienced one of its worst moments in history as politicians swarped parties
on flimsy excuses. Personal ego and parochial interest became the parameters
for jumping from one party to another.”
MURIC berated politicians for
failing to evolve a meaningful political culture.
It added, “Instead of pursuing a
meaningful, robust and forward-looking political culture, Nigerian politicians
fell head over heels in love with ‘bolekaja’ mentality where Machiaveli
instinct rivals Herbert Spencer’s theory of survival of the fittest.
“Instead of identifying with the
masses and meeting their aspirations, majority of our politicians pitched camp
with the capitalist bourgeois class. Politics is pursued purely for economic
gains.
“Service is not the objective. No
wonder therefore that politics in Nigeria has become an all-comer game and
political charlatanism is the order of the day.
“Our lawmakers perfected the art
of law-breaking in law-making. In their sober moments, they were either
competing with Nollywood actors or turning the hallowed chamber into the most
notorious motor-park in the country.
“They made 2018 their year of
sabotage when every project designed by the Federal Government (FG) was
targeted for retardation. Meanwhile it was poor Nigerians who suffered just as
it happens to the grasses when two elephants fight.
“It was the year lawmakers
decided to inflict undue punishment on the Nigerian masses by ensuring that
they are denied the dividends of democracy. This they did by ensuring that the
budget was delayed for seven months and key projects could not be completed on
schedule.
“The 8th National Assembly is the
most anti-people in the history of Nigeria while its leadership has proved to
be numero uno in parliamentary demagoguery in recent time.
“It is paradoxical that the
Nigerian electorate has failed to recognize its friends. Voters readily sell
their votes to the same corrupt politicians who robbed them of the dividends of
democracy.
“Whereas good roads, qualitative
education, high standard health institutions, etc are unavailable today due to
the corrupt practices of our politicians, many citizens still idolize the same
corrupt elements. They fail to see them as the direct causes of their
predicament.
“As a result, political
shenanigans were able to mislead poor voters into having preference for
ephemeral toys which they labeled ‘stomach infrastructure’ but which lasted
only one day over concrete, palpable and enduring infrastructure which are
capable of lasting for generations.
“Yet in the midst of our
political woes, a few politicians have managed to stay far from the maddening
crowd. MURIC salutes these ladies and gentlemen of honour. They are the silver
lining behind the dark clouds and they made the several achievements of the
present administration possible.
“For the first time in a very
long stretch, a democratic regime has come up with several social intervention
programmes which impact on the lives of the ordinary citizen, the market woman,
the student and the unemployed graduate.
“Gargantuan amounts of money
which used to end up in the private pockets of corrupt politicians now go
directly to the masses. It is an unprecedented socio-economic revolution
powered by the highest office in the land.
“It is quite reassuring that in
spite of the fact that a recession greeted the Buhari administration on
take-off, the revival of the Nigerian economy through diversification has
gained considerable momentum.
“Forbes in September 2018 rated
Nigeria as the best economy in Africa and one of the top ten most improved
economies in the world.
“Although the price of crude oil
fell to $51.60 three days ago (Friday 28thDecember, 2018), the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth rate standing at 9.5%, the naira exchanging at N306.9 to
$1 and foreign reserve at $43.08 billion as at 18th December 2018, we are
confident that the effect of the fall in the price of oil will be minimal on
the economy considering the prudent management of the present administration.
“MURIC commends government’s war
against corruption and we are delighted that as much as N871 billion, 407
mansions and 259 vehicles have been recovered from Nigeria’s serial looters by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The seizures also include
nine petrol filling stations and 98 plots of land.
“In summary, Nigerian politicians
are a big disappointment. Just as there is little choice in rotten apples, only
a few political leaders have added real value to the Nigerian political
landscape. The Buhari administration deserves medals for the prudent management
of the economy while EFCC should be lauded for its aggressive pursuit of the
war against graft.”
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