#EndSARS Protest: Nigerian Youths Nearly Regained Their Freedom From The Fetters Of Bad Leadership -B Jeremiah Abutu

Our lives are without doubt built on history. We are remolded at a slow pace by what we accept to be truth. History illuminate the mind and quickens the spirit to hold out for her right even if it seems like gold dust. It has a way of connecting the past with the present and in its innocence unfold deep but adorable truth that can modify the future.

The month of October, in the year 2020 is a month we were supposed to tread on air. A month we nearly regain our freedom from the fetters of taskmasters after a long thirst for what was like a forlorn hope, but after so many days of struggle by the youth of Nigeria, both at home and in diaspora in pursuit of a better Nigeria, our nation still fell into the hands of dishonorable leaders who flutter like a dove but devour like a bearded vulture. Nigeria has evolved over the past few decades into a degenerating state-A state more rotten than what we had when we were under the yoke of colonial masters. The plague ravaging the progress of Nigeria is as old as the history of this nation. Bad governance is a maggot that has fed on us since 1960 but nothing had been done to those feeding the maggot that has already morph into a worm. The “freedom charter” given to Jaja Wachchukwu, the first speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives by princess Alexandra of Kent to mirror our independence on October 1^st 1960 had since been used by those who had the opportunity to wield it to torment and subvert the will of Nigerian citizens. The lust for political power and conceit of people who had ruled Nigeria since independence is in truth, far more than their passion for good governance. Even Caligula in all his cruelty did not inflict anguish on the commoners during his reign as the emperor of Rome but built Rome around their wishes. A sweet lemon fruit when sucked dry become sour. Our nation, though adorned with natural treasures had been sucked dry in the last 60 years and subjected to slings and arrows by vile leaders without dignity. Leaders who stare at the plight of commoners just to get a kick out of it.

No nation has excellence thrust on her from above. Any great nation admired today was built by patriots who did not put their personal interest ahead of public interest. The conventional tale that Nigeria is a young nation compared to other thriving nations is another white lie by insensitive people who can hardly give ear to their own heart beat to distract us from reality. Italy, Rome, Greece and other ancient nations greatly prospered when they were young and even under their worst emperors, they carried the world before them, shook nations and built a better mousetrap. The womb that gave birth to a 60 year old nations that cannot boast of steady power supply, employment opportunities for the young ones, security of her citizens and good education should as a matter of urgency begin to weep for her offspring and pull out all the stops. From the native post-independence government formed by NCNC and NPC to what we have today, the chronicles of this nation has always been a heartrending parade steered by leaders whose actions do not mirror their words. Those who fathered the misfortune of this nation, who instead of putting on sackcloth and ashes, keep priding in vanity and incompetence.

After the 1999 transition from the military rule, ridden with corruption and incessant abuse of human rights to civilian rule, we all thought our day in the sun had come. Many patriots put their lives on the line to fight for the transition of military rule to civilian rule-A government they thought would give liberation and hope to both old and young, but no Nigerian leader since democratic rule had been able to lead us into the ‘promised land.’

Some offices adorned some people and furnish them with great respect even when they do not deserve it, while other people’s image and air illuminate underrated offices and furnish them with great respect. Those wo had ruled Nigeria since independence are corrupt leaders whose only pride and joy come from the office they occupy and not in their capacity. Corruption, electoral fraud, tribalism and anarchy may abound if we continue to let our leaders fly in the face of good governance. Our nation will continue to slump at a speedy pace and they may be no end to the painful bleeding of Nigeria very soon if we do not hold the prime movers of Nigeria’s fate accountable and make them pay for their misdeed.