Almost everybody has gone on strike in this country, except the PDP government. And me. But I have a good reason for working on a forced holiday. Isn’t it my lot to report even the bad deeds of the heartless emperors? So, what is the government’s excuse for not going on strike? None.
Last week, the nation again grounded to a halt. Everything stopped, except our President-General. While the ground boiled, Baba flew abroad. Even the birds were on strike, so Obasanjo’s jet met no traffic jam in the air. He travels so often. Hence, one mischievous fellow said he runs to stay in safety, whenever his house is on fire, in case the situation gets out of hand. Expectedly, we are told he does it in the “best interest” of Nigeria. At such times, we have two Nigerias. The one “they” represent with their selfish attitudes and the one “we” live in. Theirs is the favoured. Ours the oppressed. But they keep confusing the two – so when they do something for the former, they claim it’s in the interest of the latter.
Hello! Wasn’t going abroad when the home front boiled Joshua Dariye’s offense? General Olusegun Obasanjo told the nation that the Governor had to be sacked because he did not put the welfare of his people above his love for flying. Now, here’s a case of “do as I say, not as I do.”
Anyway, any mischievous son of a gun should know that Obasanjo is the head of the PDP- government. He can well do as he likes and all of us can strike to hell. My lord, I hereby testify that in the case of the people versus government, especially here in Nigeria, the former always loses. The reason, my lord, is that the government doesn’t care. And has never joined our strike. I just wonder why. Well, my lord, some experts explain that strike is “to stop working as a collective form of protest against an employer.” But isn’t it ironic that employers are the ones always on strike? In a democracy, the people are the “employers,” government’s the “employees.” And strikes come when the populace feels oppressed by the powers that be. Strike is a manifestation of the authorities’ failure to arrest a drifting tide. And so, when the nation declares strike against the government, it’s because of bad policies.
Now, even the PDP has confessed several times that it has failed. It has accepted that its government has been disastrous. Yet, for five years, it has not gone on strike. Why? Even when the people seek to express its constitutional rights of protests, the PDP cliché kicks. VP Atiku Abubakar says it’s anti democracy. As if we have one, yet. And Chief Audu Ogbe calls it “war.” He even warned labour not to “provoke” Obasanjo. In fact, only a “total idiot” would dare to provoke Baba. Perhaps, Ogbe has been trying to avoid that tag, hence he keeps quiet and his party goes astray. He hardly talks when the general interest is at stake. But when his personal interest is in jeopardy, he runs for the Rock’s ears – like when Chief Tony Anenih, PDP’s acting chairman Board of Trustees, usurped his office.
Last week, Ogbe played the poet – telling council chairmen to “deliver our democracy.” Those must either be the new midwives or awaited messiahs. They should “give it a fascinating fragrance, a delicious taste, an irresistible flavour such that there can never be an alternative to it. Fail to do it and your people’s murmuring will turn to curses and cause you pains which no physician or fortune teller can cure.”
We know that Ogbe is a master of rhetoric. And the bit about “curses” is enough to scare anybody into action. Provided it’s said to the right person, who has the capacity to do the expected. But here, Ogbe played a “bad card.” Rather than read those lines to Obasanjo, he harassed the “koboless,” powerless council bosses who depend on the two “front tiers” – state and federal governments – for existence. Already, Obasanjo has refused to release funds to some LGs, so with what does Ogbe expect them to add irresistible “flavour and fragrance”? He should just be bold enough to send that same message to Aso Rock. Or he should go on strike!
Somebody said Ogbe is afraid of this government. And that the party he’s supposed to lead has grown “too big” for him. But is it true? Well, once-in-a-while, he tries to talk tough. And he’s been as firm as a handshake from a snail. Now is the time he should lead his party on strike. There’s no need pretending that all is well.
Yes, I think time has come for the government to go on strike. Government, as an entity, is protected by the constitution to, like all of us, go on strike. Now that the people have oppressed the government – by criticising and going on strike every time fuel price goes up – please, the government should go on strike! Enough of this Oshiomole’s muscle, as if he’s the only one who can mobilise for an action.
Anyway, My Lord, sir, I am happy to report that it does appears the government is already on strike. There was a report last week that the government was deliberately creating scarcity – by reducing supply to the marketers. What a way to strike. Right at the people’s jugular. After weeks of excruciating hardship, occasioned by fuel scarcity, we would beg Obasanjo and the marketers to sell us fuel N150 per litre. The fuel dug from my backyard. Please, somebody should ask this government when it plans to go on full strike. Strike is meant to bring out the good for the benefit of the people. And since everybody is striking against Obasanjo’s government, I think the government should get angry and strike against itself. Maybe, just maybe. That’s when I would be opportune to join the action.
FROM MY MAILBOX
How well you write
I read your write up on “Head-count” proposed by president Olusegun Obasanjo with great pleasure. Your presentation made me to read from the beginning to the end, how well you write. In fact, you must be a comedian because you were able to make me laugh my heart out. Keep it up.
“yem kem” <lizzyem2000@yahoo.com>
in Kwara State
On head count
I read your piece on the impending “head count” and I could not help laughing aloud. You were right, jare!
Obasanjo should just stop using our heads to count! Another thing, I strongly believe Obasanjo owes
Christians in this country an apology. ‘CAN my foot!’………..eh?
“Idaraobong Udoh” <mariababe02@yahoo.com>
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
I’ll join you in solidarity
I love your dexterity in attending to issues of national importance. Please, when it is time to lock your ”HEAD” up in the drawer, kindly inform me, so that I will join you in solidarity.
I believe the wise thing for the federal government to ”abracadise” in 2005, since they are expecting enough ”pocket money,” is to organise a ”psychological head-count”(census), after which Nigerians will be duly informed of those that are ”mentally deranged” among the politicians.
“hilary osolase” <lordhilzo@yahoo.co.uk>
Good Work
I commend you on the patriotic job you have been doing in your column, using simple words to capture the goings-on in our national life – with a touch of humour. You are tremendously gifted. I love your piece on “Terrorism and farming ideas” published on April 24,2004. It was so lovely.
“bode efunwoye” <majorbode@yahoo.com>
- First published in Saturday Sun of June 19, 2004
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