NIGERIA’s challenges stem not from the masses, but from its leaders who exhibit primitive and criminal behaviours. The recent spectacle of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, addressing lawmakers on the bare floor of his residence underscores this issue. Such actions reinforce perceptions that our leaders prioritise power over dignity and decorum.
While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s ‘zoo’ analogy may be harsh, incidents like Yahaya Bello’s treatment of lawmakers highlight the depths of our leadership crisis.
Nigeria’s paradox is stark: This is the only country where thieves counsel the clergy on righteousness. Those accused of corruption offer counsel on virtue. Yahaya Bello, facing 19 counts of money laundering charges over alleged misappropriation of N80.2 billion, exemplifies this anomaly.
The white lion of Kogi, as the former Governor Bello is often called, reportedly told lawmakers that their recommendation was crucial to their election, implying they wouldn’t have succeeded without the backing of powers that be.
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He then instructed them to:
- Avoid arguing or disagreeing with the governor.
- Refrain from being assertive or exhibiting courage.
- Prioritise obedience to Governor Ododo’s wishes.
This directive undermines democratic principles and legislative independence.
Yahaya Bello’s statement – “Forget what they say democracy is. It doesn’t work that way”; is a candid admission that Nigeria’s democracy is skewed in favour of the privileged few. He boasted about his group’s control, claiming they admit people to power through recommendations and will continue to dictate who rules.
Bello’s candid and unapologetic admission confirms what many Nigerians have long suspected: our system diverges significantly from true democracy. Unlike Western democracies, where power resides with the people, Nigeria’s system empowers the privileged conquerors of the state at the expense of the masses. It’s a system that treats citizens as serfs rather than stakeholders. This undermines the principles of democracy, where power is supposed to reside with the citizens.
The audacity with which he flaunts his influence is striking. Some observers have long noted that Kogi State appears to have two governors – Usman Ododo as the executive governor and Bello as the de facto ‘coordinating governor.
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Nigeria’s rulers consistently demonstrate their control, reminding us of our limited agency.
When Siminalayi Fubara attempted to break free from Nyesom Wike’s influence, Wike’s allies in the cult of power swiftly brought him in line.
Similarly, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola faced attempts to curb his independence. The infamous phrase: “May your loyalty not be tested”, still resonates in Lagos politics. Akinwunmi Ambode’s denial of a second term serves as a cautionary tale for assertive leaders in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Ododo appears bound to Yahaya Bello’s influence, hesitant to challenge the status quo.
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Nigeria’s paradox is stark: This is the only country where thieves counsel the clergy on righteousness. Those accused of corruption offer counsel on virtue. Yahaya Bello, facing 19 counts of money laundering charges over alleged misappropriation of N80.2 billion, exemplifies this anomaly.
The tragedy of our democratic journey is that we seem to have agreed that politics is a dirty game and there can be no good people in the arena of politics and we have learnt to manage our injuries. If we continue this way, we may never experience development. A democracy without checks and balances and opposition is as bad as military dictatorship. Even under military, our courts delivered good judgments that were flaunted by the juntas. Today, such courageous judgements are very rare.
Despite EFCC’s efforts, Bello has successfully employed various tactics to evade arrest and prosecution. The Court of Appeal’s August 20, 2024, ruling that he should present himself for arraignment, put a stop to all his shenanigans. He is free today on bail and because he has started supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his case may never be heard.
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Bello’s directive to lawmakers to sit on the bare floor carries a deeper message: submission to executive authority. It implies their success hinges on loyalty, not legislative independence. This dynamic suggests that even questionable executive actions – like using state fund to pay the school fees of the governor’s children and misusing state funds for personal gain – should be tolerated in the name of loyalty.
Bello’s candid and unapologetic admission confirms what many Nigerians have long suspected: our system diverges significantly from true democracy. Unlike Western democracies, where power resides with the people, Nigeria’s system empowers the privileged conquerors of the state at the expense of the masses. It’s a system that treats citizens as serfs rather than stakeholders. This undermines the principles of democracy, where power is supposed to reside with the citizens.
Nigeria’s governance structure has become severely imbalanced, with the executive dominating the other two arms of government. The three arms appear to have fused into one. Legislature has been reduced to a rubberstamp, while the judiciary’s independence is compromised, often delivering judgments that align with executive interests. The concentration of power in Nigeria’s executive branch has led to a collapse of the separation of powers. This erosion of checks and balances portends grave danger for our democracy.
The tragedy of our democratic journey is that we seem to have agreed that politics is a dirty game and there can be no good people in the arena of politics and we have learnt to manage our injuries. If we continue this way, we may never experience development. A democracy without checks and balances and opposition is as bad as military dictatorship. Even under military, our courts delivered good judgments that were flaunted by the juntas. Today, such courageous judgements are very rare.
Comrade Amechi, a trade union activist, writes from Lagos.
