He Had No Shoes

I remember very vividly some 5 years ago, sitting in a Pediatrics and Child Health lecture. Listening to a revered and renowned Professor of Pediatrics who had many catchy phrases most popular of which was 'History has shown that human beings fail to learn from history'. 


Nigeria is a diverse land with an abundance of intellect, culture and history; We are famously tagged the 'Giant of Africa', owing to our tremendous population. Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and the 7th most populous in the world. 


Now,they say there are at least 160million of us,each belonging to one of the 6 geo-political zones of this vast mass of land. Our political stage has and is rife with all sorts of drama and we occasionally outdo ourselves with record low points in politics.


A few months ago, we were asked to return to the polling stations and 'elect' a president. Being a very cynical and pessimistic Nigerian, i had my reservations about the essence of the entire process; maybe it was because of the shameless and hopeless futility of similar exercises in the past. Eventually, i gave in to benefit of doubt and found a registration centre for the April 2011 elections. Alas, i was not very disappointed in the results of the supposed election process. It did not bring to power the government of Ebele Jonathan, it only extended the incumbent's term. Being that Dr Jonathan had acted as President for a couple of months prior to the onset of his new dispensation.


I remember vividly also as part of the electioneering campaign,the popular phrase used in many jingles for GEJ 'I had no shoes'. It was a phrase of identity with the average Nigerian who literally and figuratively had no shoes. It was a phrase of hope for the average Nigerian, hope that maybe,just maybe,the man with no shoes would remember when he became President,what it felt like trekking long distances bare-footed.


However, history reminds us of a certain Nelson Mandela who came out of prison some years ago and came out to lead his people to prosperity. History also reminds us of a similar scenario when an ex-inmate emerged from prison in Nigeria and we erroneously believed that the same God that did it for South Africa was about to do it for us. Eight years down the line, we realized that we had been pawns in the hands of politicians and the GSM was the best dividend of democracy the man had to offer us.


Fast forward to 2011 and we again assumed history would repeat itself in the case of GEJ. After he assumed office we spent a few months debating single term of 6years,while the decay continued. Eventually we moved past that and thought maybe yes,work was about to commence. Six months down the line, many Nigerians are looking worried and wondering why and how they have allowed themselves to be played again.


Alot of actions have not reflected well on GEJ. First being the fact that he seems to have forgotten very quickly that he had no shoes. He now causes endless traffic anytime he decides to come into town for something as important and life-threatening as a wedding or a courtesy call. Millions of Lagosians are kept at a stand still because a convoy is coming and the 3rd mainland bridge must be shut down to tax payers.


Some months ago, Lagos experienced a type of rainfall that got many thinking and wondering if God had changed His mind about ending the world with floods. We didn't get a consolatory visit from our dear president but a few weeks later, Mr David Cameron came to town and was received in Lagos by guess who? Many suffered that fateful day in gridlock traffic and got no apologies.


The President insists that 'there are many goliaths' and i totally agree with him. There are a lot of negative forces and powers that are bent on drawing this nation backwards. He only stated the obvious. We appreciate the presence of goliaths,we however, wish to ask some questions.


Was it a goliath that came to Lagos to celebrate a wedding when the nation was supposed to be mourning the death of many in the Abuja UN building bombing?. Ironically the wedding party was thrown by people who were in charge of the offices that were supposed to advise Nigeria on security. I find it amusing personally.


Is it goliath that has decided to worsen the current economic hardship of the average Nigerian by raising fuel prices by almost 50%? 


Is it also goliath that blatantly ignored a letter from the Executive Governor of Lagos State,ditched the state nominee and replaced with the wife of an Ex-con on the board of the National Population Commission? This is the same convicted felon who upon his release from prison hosted a thanksgiving service which our dear President attended. Was this also goliath in action?


I weep for us as an entity. The chaos in this society leaves a lot to be desired. There is trouble in the land and we need a leader. A leader who leads by example, who gives the youth moral hope, who challenges every Nigerian to be a better Nigerian, who does not condone corruption in every and any form and at any level.


Nigerians are tired of being mortgaged. Sooner or later,we will hold our leaders accountable.


I end with another phrase from one of my lecturers, 'Rain it shall,salvation lies in building the ark'.