Nigeria-The Nine Biggest Lies Ever Told!

Ø The police is your friend. All lies! And nothing more needs be said about this, except that the Nigeria Police should save their breath because not even a thousand image-making adverts with the handsome face of Korede Bello can change who they really are. A similar lie is that police bail is free. We all know the truth.

Ø The judiciary is the last hope of the common man. What lies! We’ve seen many a common man languishing in our various prisons for crimes far lesser in magnitude when compared with the earth-quaking crimes of others whose wealth and connections continuously shield from justice.

Ø Nigeria is a democracy. Except democracy now has another meaning, because democracy works best when it’s of, by and for the people. What we have now can best be described as an elitocracy with elections sprinkled in it from time to time. Moreover, the observance of human rights which is the most basic feature of democracy is largely lacking in this country.

Ø Nigeria is a federal state. How best can a lie be told! The Nigerian state is anything but federal as she still operates a military-like command structure which leaves the states at the mercy of a dominant federal (unitary) government.

Ø Nigeria is the Giant of Africa. Very big lie! Nigeria got that appellation when everyone thought she was uniquely poised for greatness given her numerous human and natural resources. But how well have we fared? Well, let’s not go into that now. Nigeria is not the Giant of Africa, period! What is closer to the truth is that Nigeria is a country with Giant problems!

Ø Nigerian frontline nationalists believed in the existence of a Nigerian nation. Just check out the lies! They are as good as they come. Are you surprised at this one too? Remember the comment about Nigeria being “a mere geographical expression”? It is credited to Nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo. How about this: “Nigerian unity is only a British invention”? This one is credited to Nationalist Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. There is this one about “the mistake of 1914” coming “to light,” by Nationalist Sir Ahmadu Bello. This list of “patriotic” comments from “our heroes past” is endless. As if the lies are not enough, we are reminded every day the anthem is sung to see that their “labour” is not “in vain”. Historians assume that only Nationalist Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe truly believed in a united Nigeria. At any rate, people thought he was a dreamer.

Ø The Nigeria Civil War was fought to preserve the unity of the country. Thanks to our nationalists, we now know there was no unity to preserve in the first place. Gowon and his cohort of Western allies could not imagine the Eastern Region leaving Nigeria with all its oil wealth, so they had to act quickly to protect their selfish economic interests. A similar lie is that the war had “no victor” or “vanquished”. We know better now.

Ø Youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Except we have redefined the concept of youth to make room for our parents and grandparents, or that “tomorrow” was never intended to come by at all. Youths must rise to the occasion today and stop believing this crazy lie!

Ø Lawmakers are the people’s representatives. Lies all the way! The fact remains that they do not represent anyone but themselves and their political godfathers who got them there in the first place. Their only concern is to collect jumbo allowances and quarrel over juicy positions in the legislature, even as the people they claim to represent continue to wallow in abject misery. I hope the recent sex scandal involving three of our “honourable” lawmakers serves to remind us how self-seeking they are.