From ‘YEAA’ To ‘TAN’

MANY years ago, it was the Youths Earnestly Ask for Abacha otherwise called YEAA chaperoned by one Daniel Kanu and today there is a Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria. Whilst the former tried to give a pseudo-veneer of pressure by youths for the late maximum leader, Sani Abacha, to change from the military head of state to civilian president, the latter is organising rallies with the intent of getting “10 million signatures” from adoring youths to convince President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a re-election in 2015. The most recent of which was held in the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium on Saturday August 30.

The paradox however is that both leaders (then and now) feigned ignorance even when it is clear that it is state sponsored.

The losers in these facade are the “real youths”, not the “pseudo youths” who ride on the crest of youthful establishments to make cash and fame which will not outlive them or if it does(did) Daniel Kanu’s reputation in this country would have belied it.

It is also clear that they (the pseudo-youth groups) do not understand basic indices for measuring performance. It is thus not surprising to hear them say things like the President is “such a nice man”, even when leaders the world over are judged by their actions and not by their intentions or friendly mien.

This development is not surprising— what we practise in Nigeria is a crony democracy- rallies are arranged as a mark of loyalty-after which the sponsors go to forty winks with guarantees of electoral successes — presidential aspirants and others hardly barnstorm the country (in the ideal sense) to listen to challenges and make a pledge-they give Nigerians the impression of being goaded to rule.

The agonising truth is that the Nigerian political class is for the highest bidder and this is seen within most political parties where the members are not independent from the party. Why is it that when the time comes to choose a candidate, most party members will follow the “herd instinct” to endorse one candidate without ideological opposition, especially since there is a death of zoning of electoral offices? Is this what democracy is all about or could it be that they were persuaded by backhanders or coercions?

Michel Platini, the UEFA President, recently submitted that he won’t fight Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, in an election next May, though he still hoped somebody would.

“Now is not my time, not yet, I hope that somebody will oppose Mr. Blatter …To bring ideas and want to change things and not just be sheep who always says yes,” Platini said.

Where are the “somebodies” in our political parties, ready to take up the challenge to push us towards real democracy? Egalitarianism bereft of bigotry.

Real democracy gives validity, trustworthiness and establishes the strength of the chosen. The opposite shows that they are out of favour, weak and terrified of their challengers.

TAN’s senior manager submitted before the Port Harcourt rally on a feature radio programme on Silverbird Rhythm 93.7 FM PH, that governments in times gone by had not been as attentive to the needs of Nigerians like the current one even when underprivileged Nigerians are suffering, as never before from power failures, to unsafe streets and neighbourhoods, to many ills(ad infinitum) that space won’t allow.

We hope TAN will be all over the place many years from now and not like the outdated YEAA with no relevance today, to support presidents from “other sections” of the country, who might have impressive programmes: a difficult position for, “loyalty in Nigeria is not a stable commodity, tobe counted on forever”.

Written by

Simon Abah