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The Enugu State Chairman of the African People’s Alliance, Barrister Chukwunonso Ogbe has attributed the growing resentment among Nigerians to absence of good governance.
Barrister Ogbe who stated this on Friday in Enugu while addressing the issue of politics of bitterness in the country said bad leadership has equally led to dwindling patriotism among a vast majority of Nigerians.
Barrister Ogbe also called on leaders at the federal and state levels to put in place pro-people policies that will help addressed the malaise of unemployment and insecurity.
He stressed the need for the federal government to respect the character principle in appointments and ensure that positions are evenly distributed to all federating states in the country.
Barrister Ogbe called on the federal government to enthrone justice, fairness and equity so as to address the issue of marginalization of some sections of the country.
“Definitely the adverse effects of politics of bitterness in the Nigerian polity is obvious. Because it has given rise to a lack of a spirit of patriotism, among a vast majority of Nigerians. Because bitterness in my own opinion normally accrues in a polity, when maybe a segment of the nation, believes that they’re not being carried along in art of governance. And I think bitterness in leadership has always been existent in Nigeria, but I think it took another dimension with the emergence of our current President being President Muhammadu Buhari.
“And, of course, obviously going by some utterances of Mr President, like making reference to the 97%, five per center issue. Now some segments of the Nigerian populace believe they’re not being carried along. And this gives rise to resentment. This makes it impossible for the people to give out the all they have in them for the betterment of the Nigerian society. And this also applies to the various federating states that make up the country.
“Once people believe that there is an absence of good governance; because one of the major factors responsible for the politics of bitterness is absence of good governance. Because when people believe that they are getting the dividends of good governance, dividends of democracy, then bitterness will to a great extent be reduced in the polity. And of course these two factors, they work together in the sense that if you have good governance, then there will less bitterness or lesser bitterness in the polity. So, having said that, the adverse effects of bitterness in our political circle, in governance circle in Nigeria, is that many Nigerians are no longer giving their innate qualities and traits. They are now becoming more reserved. They are not willing to bring such laudable ideas to bear on making Nigeria a wonderful nation. That is the major adverse effect of bitterness that is ongoing in our political arena.
“In every given polity leaders are viewed as role models. You don’t expect the followers to behave well, when the leaders are viewed not behaving well as well. So when you have a situation whereby there is bitterness in the polity and this bitterness is being fueled by the actions and inactions of our leaders, then automatically you now have the followers who will also be doing things that will sabotage the system. But a situation whereby you have a leader who does not dish out bitterness as a trait, a leader who tries to enthrone justice and equity and fairness, because bitterness in leadership also finds its roots when there is this perceived absence of equity, fairness and justice in a polity.
“Where it is believed that it is not the same way that Margaret is being treated that Jennifer will be treated, then there will be a resentment in the polity, there will be bitterness, that will also make the people, the lead, not to have love and passion for the polity. So bitterness in the polity is as a result of the actions of the leaders, and these adverse actions of the leaders , these negative action leaders, or some leaders also propels the governed as well, to also embark on a line of action that is detrimental to the wellbeing of the entire polity.
On what the federal government, should do in addressing the raging issues of secessionist agitations banditry and general insecurity Ogbe said “Is very simple. In the first instance, the current Nigerian constitution recognizes that Nigeria is a divergent nation. And that’s why we have provision for what we call the federal character principle. And the draft men of this current constitution, even though many of us believe that this constitution is defective, but they still recognised the fact that for you to make a good leader in Nigeria, you have to respect the federal character principle. Being that you have to marry the various divergent interests in the country.
“Now if you want to ensure that bitterness in leadership cycle is reduced to the barest minimum in the country, then you have to respect the federal character principle. You have to carry the entire nation along. The policies of the government should favour all Nigerians. We should only have two divides in the country; being those who yearn for good governance, and those who are actually out to Scuttle governance, because in every environment, in every society, there are individuals who always work towards scuttling the progress of that given environment. That should be only the two divides the leaders at the federal level should have in the country. But a situation whereby maybe in your actions, your utterances, you are making some people feel that are not part of the country, then automatically it will be giving rise to resentments, many people will feel and believes that they’re not part of this country and agitations will be coming up here and there. Secondly, the Nigerian leaders at the federal and state governments, should also try and enthrone good governance. Once there is good governance, then you have lesser resentment.
“Because the reality is that many people don’t even care about the person at the helm of affairs. Whether it is Okeke or Okafor. They are actually looking for leaders who will use the natural and human resources available in Nigeria for the betterment of the lives of the Nigerian people. So, the, the leaders at the federal level as I already pointed out initially should bring in place policies, pro-policies, policies that we help addressed the malaise of unemployment, insecurity, a frustration because many Nigerian youth are frustrated . That’s is the obvious reality because of absence of jobs because of the high rate of inflation, that has made our national currencies the Naira basically valueless, as it stands today. So when some of these issues are addressed, and an average Nigerian is made to live a decent life, then there will be less bitterness in the polity.
