Government idiocy has to do with irrational, incompetence, highly detrimental/retrogressive or poorly thought-out policies of the government especially, where its negative effects on the people were not thought-out adequately. Effectually, the term describes inconsistencies and summersaults with negativities in government policies and actions, government profligacy, imprudence, extravagance couple with lack of responsible responses and yielding to the expectations alongside yearnings of the populace.
This premise negates totally the tenets of democracy which has to do with government of the people by the people and for the people. A government whereby the people nominate and elects their representatives with a view to exploring and exploiting their resources which are later supposed to be equitably distributed among the people for their socioeconomic wellbeing and security. In addition to this, democracy expects its institutions to be independently functional, devoid of any form of reckless interference while projecting separation of powers within the democratic institutions as well as ensuring rule of law, justice for all, equitable distribution of resources, fair play and freedom in all aspects of life.
However, what has been the democratic performance index of this administration since inception? From the parade ground of swearing-in, the experience has been from one painful socioeconomic strangulation to the other. Without getting to that office of authority, a brisky announcement of fuel subsidy removal was parochially proclaimed leading immediately to increase in the pump price of all important PMS (petrol) with other petroleum products by 600%. Where is this done all over the world?
Truly, all the three leading presidential candidates indicated their intentions to removing the problematic petroleum subsidy but, have we as a people taken time to study how each was planning to embark on such a policy without bringing untold hardship to the people? We are all witnesses to the eventual excruciating painful hardships this particular obnoxious policy has brought to the populace since then.
Thereafter, this government turned into deceitful palliative system where, various deceitful policies were dished out without bringing any into fore. Where is the students’ loan promised? Rather, we have been hearing of the mismanagement of more that 75% of the allocated monies. How about the refineries that were initiated to be working within three months? Rather, the industry has shown more of alleged corruption and funds mismanagement. Permit me to abhor from mentioning the humongous amount of monies involved in all of this mismanagement of our resources so as not to unnecessarily arouse our annoyance the more.
Where are the supposed excesses from the oil subsidy removal in the past two years? Where are the infrastructures that has been built with these excesses? Rather, this government has been recklessly borrowing monies from both IMF and the World Bank while also, because of estacodes has been jet trucking the whole world looking for investors without bringing in any ever since. Which reasonable businessman will want to come and invest in an economy that is characterized with economic policy summersaults, judicial rashness, political brigandry, incompetence and avaricious public office holders?
Our nation has witnessed more governmental deceits in the last two years than all others put together. Starting from the minimum wage issue of which, some Federal Government workers just alerted the nation of non payment, removal of fuel subsidy and the alleged backdoor payments, despite the acclaimed huge accruals on fuel subsidy removal government still went ahead to borrow less amount from IMF, the irritatingly fruitless embarkment on CNG buses and stations with many other unsubstantiated propagandas. How about the immense capital flight of showcasing the achievements of Tinubu’s administration in the United Kingdom with over 13 ministers in the endeavour?
The truth is, there is no country in the whole world that does not allow various forms of subsidy regimes for their citizenry to ensuring their socioeconomic wellbeing which, is the primary objective of any government. Conversely, the reverse is the case in Nigeria in the last two years. First was the fuel subsidy removal without understanding the prevailing dynamics (google ref: Direct Supply Direct Purchase DSDP Policy of NNPC) followed by electricity sector’s unscrupulous & deceptive policy of bands A, B, C and probably bandiT, telecommunications, drivers’/vehicle licenses, school fees at all levels, despicable and repugnant bank charges coupled with the recent announcement by the CBN that, Nigerians will now be paying for BVN processing again……..how many of these can I even mention here…..the government has continued to tightening the noose on the people while they themselves have been leaving in luxury and opulence. In other words, perpetuating weaponization of poverty on the people with a view of continual manipulation of the people within their whims and caprices. Very painful now though as I passionately warned Nigerians against this government during the 2023 general elections (Youtube Ref: 2023 General Elections: My Plea to Nigerians – Dr Dayo Kayode).
Outside my own understanding, my research has further corroborated my giving that, the two years administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been marked with a surge in the rate of inflation to 34.19% with food inflation surpassing 40% (in the words of Ezekwesile, when the middle class of a nation have started complaining about food availability, forget that nation); due to curious and bizarre non protection and floating of our currency, the naira has depreciated abysmally, now tagged as one of the worst performing currencies in the world; attempt to turn our nation into a one party state through some visible indices; youths unemployment officially now stands at 8.6% with millions struggling to access food thus, turning our teeming youths into prostitution, fraudsters, fetishists, kidnappers with other delinquent and societal abhorred behavioural patterns; terrorism and banditry are on the geometric increase; allegations of high level wired corruption, fraudulent practices, mismanagements and intentionally evasive accountability; involvement in human rights and press freedom violations cannot be over emphasized inclusive of the N70,000.00 minimum wage which is considerably inadequate when inflation and government profligacy are been considered (African adage Ref: Leaders should lead by examples; you can’t be feeding fat on the sick and expect the sick to respond to treatment).
Bearing in mind the African adage which says, the ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people and as substantiated by my authored quote: a people that has refused to emancipate itself from the claws of the wicked, heist, Machiavellian and unresponsive repressive leaders will ultimately remain perpetually emaciated by the various deployed ploys of their deceitful propaganda.
Here comes another clarion call for us Nigerians this day that, for us to enjoy the dividends of democracy as is all over the world, the time is now ripe for us to urgently emancipate ourselves from the democratic mental slavery which we all have been subjugated to over the years. No one can deliver us except by ourselves. Oh yes, the price might be high but, the determinant of the extent to which we can attain in this mission will be how much price we are ready to pay; which is, our level of sacrifice and resilience. For how long shall we continue to allow these few horrendous oligarchs to subjugate us while we keep on complaining of the thorning paths forgetting that, without the cross there can’t be the crown without the price there can’t be the prize. Arise oh Nigerians and let us in togetherness shake off the shackles of subjugation placed upon us by this heist and unresponsive government. The right time is now as, you don’t wait until it’s dark before you pursue a black goat.
This time around, as your usual voice in the wilderness. I’m offering you a wider umbrella shade within The Unifiers Movement (TUM) where we can organically mobilize to emancipating ourselves with a new vision and a new future from these socioeconomic and political strangulates. Individually, we can work fast but in unison, we can go far. It is only in togetherness that we can attain the Nigeria of our dreams.
IN UNISON WE STAND, INDIVIDUALLY WE FALL.
Thanks for your attention,
Still, yours sincerely in the struggle for our national rebirth,
Dayo Kayode PhD
Convener/National Chairman.
THE UNIFIERS MOVEMENT.
