The bewildered and controversial republic of the 21st century

Tom Pietrasik

By

Ogunniyi Abayomi

Democracy embraces freedom amongst the leaders and people, in the same way between the leaders and its cabinet.

Politics as an ambitious affair decays when participants of opposite parties are arrested and remanded in custody for unclear premonition of money laundering and financial misappropriation without concrete evidence that proves the culprit guilty of its allegations.

The demeanor is of a republic of scars and a backlash between party members and groups of divided factions who delve cluelessly into power, absconding advice from experts towards socio-economic development to enact a regressive movement of an ideology of “change” across society. A detached atmosphere dwells in the realm of hardship; the rich and poor gnash their teeth to ascertain survival when there are little or no jobs, a drastic fall in the price of premium motor spirit, the gruesome increase in the price of commodity across our market, harsh business and economic policies, and high rate of instability and insecurity within our society.

We could observe this as the judgment of the pessimist, a political atheist to the policies implemented by the administration whom they consider to be avaricious secluding the interest of the masses from their thoughts. They are not wrong in their opinions nor do we misjudge them when they express their opinion because it is clear, but rather we should observe what the optimist opines about the state of the nation.

The optimist’s thought is likewise different while he feels the pain and hardship the pessimist encounters, but they remain loyal and obedient to the decree. As for the people of faith who object against those speaking against political parties or administration, it is after four years that we decide to re-elect them or not with the thriving hope and belief something good will always come. He cannot deny the crises nor is he ignorant of the issues that affect society.

They both have the knowledge but different opinions, yet things get worse as we strive to enforce sanity into our system as citizens. The stories are the same likewise when there is little or no progress.

Last week it was acclaimed that there were demons ruling over affairs at Aso Villa in Abuja, Nigeria. We acclaimed it to be responsible for the distorted thought of President Muhammadu Buhari over the critical tone of his wife towards the cabinet and political associates in his administration. The president in an inane manner descriptively assigned his wife to the role of the kitchen by the phrase ‘she belongs to the kitchen.’

There was uproar and mixed reactions over the issue, most especially from the feminine angle, yet nothing changed. It has been the consistent arrest of opposing figures or parties yet corrupt minds still run the administration in an abrupt manner.

Are we going any further or do I believe we are going nowhere by the act of the administration; meanwhile I desist to blame anyone in power because I believe they are human? The explosion of an oil pipeline orchestrated by militants still persists when the community who own the oil are less developed and neglected, yet we exploit them of their benefits and rights.

The economy dwindles with no assurance of a soluble measure to cast out the depressive outrage of non affordability of acquiring commodities necessary for survival. Does our system of government help us to our own advantage or for reviews to be implemented over time? Do we continue to sleep in the beclouded realm of confusion?

We uphold faith in our system but for how long are are we going to reap its dividend if its the same theatrics daily?

Ogunniyi Abayomi

Ogunniyi Abayomi was born July 11, 1991 in the city of Lagos, where he resides. A poet and essayist whose works have been published in various journals.