I was was jolted beyond belief by two protests in Abuja today.The protesters were carrying placards in solidarity with Minister of Petroleum of Nigeria.The motley crowds were divided into two groups of Women and Men.I was dumbfounded when a woman who appeared to be leader of the 'Leave Diezani Alone' group was vociferous that everyone including the House of Representatives members should leave her alone.Hear her : ''Whatever she has done we like her and we want it like that.They should leave her alone,she is doing a good job.'' This is a strange demand from the Minister's supporters or collaborators.If we look at the social angle of the protest,one cannot but cry for this country.It's morally wrong to pay women from Niger Delta to organize a protest against perceived enemies of the Minister.These are women at this brute end of financial recklessness of those in power including the Minister for spending N10b junketing all over the world with her family members.Most of these women that are protesting for her have children or relations that are unemployed and yet would go on the street for a mere pittance.The Men wing of the rented crowd were not left out; hear the leader, Progress Omo-Agege : ''We want the House of Representatives stop the probe of Diezani Allison-Madueke.Inasmuch as we believe that the Legislature has oversight function over the Executive,we believe the probe is targeted at her due to her insistence that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be passed by the National Assembly.'' He said they belong to one funny group I cannot remember the name now.He was reading from a prepared dossier. If one can pardon his youthful zeal due to pecuniary inducement, what about the older Mathew Tsekure who said, '' The probe will not have any head like others before it.Look at the subsidy probe of Hon. Farouk Lawan,what have they done to him? He is still there seated in the House to make laws for you and me.' I believe truly that these moments are sad times in our national lives.Imagine the number of people gathering simultaneously saying because they are from the Minister's region,she should be left alone despite weighty allegations against her.
Concerning what the House of Representatives unearthed with regard to the N10b private jets expenses, they are still allegations until she is found guilty. Therefore it is very strange to refuse to defend yourself and went about paying people to protests.What could make anyone leave where he is getting his daily bread to go on a protest if not financial reward.If I have serious job Iam doing, will I have time to protest for anyone so that people empowered to investigate should not investigate those entrusted with responsibilities? Curiously, the appointment of the Minister was approved by National Assembly and yet she refused to honour them when invited.I think she is just too big for her positions.Like I said before, she appears more powerful than those who put her in the position. Am beginning to think she has a case to answer.Arm-twisting the Legislature is a crude approach to extricating herself from these allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
The major sad angle to this unnecessary protest is that it has become part of our national lives just as it could be dated back to Abacha ignominious rule when one Kalu came up as a leader of YEAA,Youth Earnestly Ask For Abacha.He was given millions of Naira to do among other things, organize One Million March For Abacha at the Federal Capital City. Since then renting crowd has become a big business.All you need to do is to identify your customer who is been probed or investigated,imprison for an offence or who intends to go for an election with shady records etc.The contract for the engagement will become juicier depending on the name laundering you want in the eye of the public.There are those who are in the services of welcoming those charged for corruption from prison to those who will appear in Aso-ebi during court sessions for solidarity.However, the most risky part of the job are those engaged to carry placards for their employers during rallies and political activities such as election periods.The risk is clashing with opponents who are also paid on the other side.The clashes could be bloody and many could go home with broken noses.But Alas,the pay is good.There are also those paid to stand at campaign grounds to show opposition that our crowd are more than yours and that the people 'love' the candidate.I don't think we captured this sector in the GDP re-basing done recently.
Nigerians should know better that the more we fail to address the surging unemployment,the more we will have youths that will be open to manipulations.The more money we continue to waste with impunity the less we will have to address so many pressing needs of the nation.We continue to rake in so much money from crude oil and yet we cannot account for it other than payment of recurrent expenditure leaving infrastructure at decrepit level every year.Leaders are no longer moved with passion to serve but to be served.People in government are paid so much yet they offer so little you will wonder whether they have any conscience left.All over the world except in Nigeria.people resign on mere mention of allegations against their office or staff,they resign and will not hamper course of justice.Why are we so different? Corruption is the only reason we can remain like this despite our opportunities and endowment.In all good indexes we are at the lowest rung.In all the bad indexes we are in top brackets.
GEJ should redeem himself and do something about his Ministers who are bent on destroying his administration.The more we have allegations upon allegations about those under his watch,the more it will look like approval.In any case the performance of all ministries under the president is his own performance.This minister too can be eased out sir,just like that one that had insatiable lust for armoured cars.We cannot continue to satisfy the lust of this one for luxurious jets which i don't think we have among the presidential fleets.
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