In Nigeria we call it ‘democracy’, in Gaddafi’s regime it was called ‘autocracy’. Why do we have to hide under the banner of ‘democracy’ when what we practise is ‘demo stealing?’ Corruption in Nigeria has made life in this country even worse than the regime of the crucified Gaddafi. Why were our leaders singing songs of crucifixion against the Gaddafi regime?
All regimes in Nigeria, both military and civilian, have been characterised by corruption which got worse after the discovery of oil. Corruption in Nigeria has increased poverty and brutalised her citizenry, it has increased the rate of broken homes, prostitution and even corrupt practices.
Whereas in Gaddafi’s autocratic regime, there was no freedom of expression, Nigerians enjoy freedom of expression, but tell me the use of freedom of expression when one’s views are not accorded the anticipated action by the government in power.
Hardship has made Nigerian masses to forget their rights as everyone wants to make life better for his family. The reason Libyans were able to overthrow Gaddafi’s autocratic regime is because they had enough to eat and strength for collective protest against Gaddafi’s regime. Give a Nigerian youth one million naira and he will close both his mouth and eyes.
When you look at the faces of Nigerians, you will see poverty and suffering, and that’s why a 30-year-old Nigerian appears as if under twenty in physical appearance.
In autocratic Gaddafi’s regime, Libyans never paid for electricity but they enjoyed full power supply while in democratic Nigeria, Nigerians pay for electricity, yet, they lack constant power supply. Gaddafi provided water for his people in a country surrounded by desert while in democratic Nigeria, typhoid is killing the citizenry because of lack of potable water, yet, we are surrounded by rivers. During Gaddafi’s regime, he provided high standard education for free while in Nigeria, education is paid for, yet, it’s of very low standard, free primary and secondary education is nothing to write home about. In Libya, the literacy rate is higher tthan democratic Nigeria. Libyan citizens receive some portion of the oil revenue into their account but in Nigeria, the oil revenue goes to the pockets of a few politicians. Nigerian politicians’ children spend money as if money is picked on the road; our roads are death-traps as many Christians repent of their sins whenever they wants to ply Nigerian roads. Worse still, our hospitals are turning into slaughter slabs as doctors embark on strikes almost every month.
While I am not in support of autocracy, neither am I in support of ‘demostealing;’ I’m in support of good governance. The interest of the citizens of a country should supersede that of the international communities. It’s bad that Nigeria enjoys good relationship with the international community when majority of her citizens languish in abject poverty.
Our corrupt leaders should be ashamed of criticising Gaddafi, rather they should close their faces and pray that the day of judgement will not descend on them sooner than expected.
Okoro Kingsley,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
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