Editor's Quote: "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism". D. Ben-Gurion
NIGERIA: Mis-representation of the elected representatives
Editor's Choice
Most...
Submitted by ADEWALE on Wed, 29/06/2011 - 12:56pm
Are they being voted for to loot the treasury or to look after the legitimate needs of the citizenry?! We have not seen “some common impulse of passion” from the last set of representatives to provide all Nigerians the basic amenities of undistupted electricity, clean water, revamp our education, boost agriculture, good roads or even resolve the problems of Niger-Delta in the last decade.
Part of the problem is that these politicians do not have to go through these hardships with the rest of the country. Take the unstable electricity and water supply for example, those in power have standby electric generators that can even pump water in 24-hour.
They don’t have time to think that Nigerian teachers are underpaid, but they can spend hours debating for more allowances.They did not see anything wrong with the numerous cases of armed robberies and kidnappings, so far they are paying for private security men to watch their houses.
They did not see anything bad with underpaid and under-equipped policemen illegal extorting motorists on all roads, since the men in uniform dare not stop their cars.
Nigeria’s representatives are all there by the will and consent of the people. Without election, they are not qualified to be in power, the same as without students, there is no point for teachers to be in schools. It is a sacred appointment that involes providence and bond between the representative and the represented.
They are meant to bless the live of others. The term ‘Government’ is just an institution that houses them to perform their functions. A representative in any form, either as a councillor, senator, governor or president is the servant of the people and the people are their pay-masters. They should be responsible to the people in general. That is the essence of functioning democratic government.
In contrast to the above assertions, most of our elected, or should I say selected Nigerian representatives, in the last decade have not lived up to their office. Most of our past representatives have either lost their moral bearings or they do not know the real meaning of representation in a democratic society.
A betrayal of the trust of those who elected them into office is not only a dissapointed to the voters, but to themselves and the God Almighty.
The essence of representation is to effect positive changes. There is need for our representatives to effect changes in values, policies and ideas that can promote the kind of society we want.
We are in the twenty-first century and we cannot be living with the mentality of dark era of evil geniuses any longer. The country has to move forward.
Late Pa Anthony Eromosele Enahoro was 29 years old in 1955 when he moved the historical motion in the federal house that eventually gave independence to Nigeria in 1960. Unfortunately, the qualities our leaders display, lets down such historic efforts that sought to push Nigeria forward.
Where are those who stole all of Nigeria’s billions of naira now? Do their children make any positive impact with all the stolen money?
As the new administration enters its second month in office, we only hope that this time around, our civic lives will see a change for the better.
Comments
Post new comment