The Problem of Nigeria politics
 

The Problem of Nigeria politics: is a topic that has long been discussed, over the un-fulfilment of the past decades. Discussions about Nigerian Politics have both sailed and blasted from the bukateria to the boardrooms.

At times, the mood...surrounding discussions about Nigerian politics has been one of  fear, and on other occasions; pure humour. But hardly ever entirely joyous and celebratory; of course, there is always hope. Other popular venues which have also hosted these passionate debates, about the problem of Nigeria; and its politics have been the hairdressers or the barbers….the mechanic or beer place…and on many other occasions, the debate on the state of Nigerian politics, has been at social parties, and political parties. And between 'my customer' and 'customer' over a meat stall haggle.

“The problem with Nigeria [is this]” or “the problem with Nigeria [is that]” is as the banter goes...and occasionally; it is as...the flares go too.

“The only solution to Nigeria leadership…and its politics; be say…” is a common start up...or 'the closer' to a long conversation of discourse: where many a time…much talking gets done, but hardly any listening.

Nigeria: boasts of experts on every single facet of the…problem with - Nigeria politics. There are those who know the - root of the problem - of Nigeria politics. “…Una Oyinbo man cause this entire problem O”. Others blame the parochial nature and style of our - early Nigerian leaders. "Don’t mind those people Ojare; they were all yeye tribalists. That is why…up to this present day, half de country…na so so Atlantic water  boku him nose;  dey drown him sense; walahi. Whereas de other half...now, dem dem say…una dat sahara sand, dem dey chop, e don scratch dem eye finish, dem no see road; patapata”.

The educated classes, love to put ...nearly all the blame, about the problem with Nigeria politics on the military era: “they were not trained to rule…those green khaki boys”. As if any professional group are trained to rule. And when civilians held the reins during the second republic, the educated elite persecuted again "...just a bunch of hooligans and illiterates and thieves".

And so the titter and raucous arguments go on and on…about the problem with Nigeria politics, and how unique the Nigerian political system is. The Nigerian Factor…it is called. But no matter how often, or how long...the plethora of narrative are...about the state of affairs of Nigerian politics. There is no final note. The jive goes on and on, to the extent of becoming over-sounded: but not overrun. It is a good thing that it stretches this much. It is a frenzy in the right direction, for all its foibles and stark ocassional ugliness.

The problem of Nigerian politics will be solved. Nigerians themselves, and nobody else could ever do, as great a job in fixing the problem of Nigeria politics, as will Nigerians themselves. Not by the Hausa Fulani...not by the Yoruba...not by the Ndi-Igbo; or the Delta, or the Middle belt, or the Adamawa and Bornu regions. But by Nigerians...a broad coaltion, of Progressive Nigerian Political Leaders, representing us all, across all divides and divisions. If as a nation, we want to move forward...we must transform.

A world scientifc genius of great note, and long departedness, once said [papaphrasedly]:

"...a problem cannot be solved within the same dynamic  - that had given rise to the problem". The genius was Albert Einstein...he was a Progressive, a Reformer and an Achiever. Nigeria politics has much need for...freshness.

The Solution, about the problem of Nigerian politics, is within Nigerians themselves; they know the answer.

After all, how could it ever be possible for a foreign observer to be an expert about our problem. Without the expert having an internal level of understanding...of the drumming rhythms of the problem. The solution lies in the problem. But the solution can only be extracted from the problem from a different position to that where the problem is anchored. But that is not to say that the foreign observer is not a part of the solution. We must rule nothing in...absolutely. And we must rule nothing out...absolutely.

'Problem' and 'Solution' are like - squabbling younger brother and older sister. They go at each other with hammer and tong. But really, it's all done in a perfect harmony; they need and love each other...the brother and sister are one and whole. The darkest despair can give rise to the shiniest spalsh of  hope.

How can we know 'North'…and not know 'South'. Or how can we dislike the taste of pepper soup we’ve been served…and not appreciate, or understand the taste of a good delicious pepper soup on the tongue.

Nigerians know exactly what to do about the Nigerian politics in Nigeria…perhaps they’ve just been waiting for the salt to arrive...and sprinkle some on the pepper soup, or suya, or isiewu goathead, or maybe some nice juicy spicy abodi.

Well Nigerians!!! The salt has arrived. We are the salt. Time and experience has crystallised us so.

Let us build this nation. Let us build our nation. Let us build ourselves. Let us create our future now!

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May you never have cause to lap up, unsavoury pepper soup; you have options.

We just need to add the salt.