Of Desperation and Disappointments

Twenty-eleven was a desperate year in the State, it was time for a new Governor. The civil servants demanded a new face, but for the average ò*kadà man, it was time to balance the scales. He was tired of servitude to the Association. There must be others. And he was right.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the Right to Freedom of Association and Disassociation. But for reasons beyond the scope of this article, these motorcyclists found themselves at the mercy of a man who when asked to vacate his position was alleged to have retorted, "Kí le* fé* ki n ma je*?" What (else) d'you expect me to subsist on?

So that a deal was (apparently) struck to support the Opposition in the quest for freedom. But freedom was not to be found in the Opposition, and never is: They got in, made a lot of noise, and allowed just one other association. Yet this was no freedom, since the newcomer was only to collect dues on alternate weeks!

One would have thought that the hope of the masses in the Opposition was the enforcement of the Constitutional provision to form as many associations as they desired, and leave whatever association they did not feel a part of.

And what is worse? They still get to serve both associations: pay dues to both (on alternate weeks), buy the annual licensing stickers from both, even when they are officially members of only one.

They had wanted Change!, clamoured for Change!; had been desperate for Change!, and were disappointed by Change!- even crushed by it. So much for the politics of Change!

Change! was promised for their votes and proselytism, yet what changed was not the rotten heads they had longed to change; what changed was the levity of their oppression: they bought only one sticker before, now they buy the one for N1500, and the other for another N1000. And the LGA reaps levies capriciously!

Isn't Change! beautiful?
And now that they have been failed by the Opposition, there are moves to make deals with the emerging opposition. To no avail! To no avail, since power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and you never know who someone truly is until he wields the Sword. To no avail, since the tiger knows better than to make the lion its treasurer.

You may think APC will be sent packing in four years if they don't perform, but will APC with the savoury taste of power be sane enough to let it go? Will they not breach the bridges that incapacitated the previous party? Will they not plug the smuggler's holes they were availed of to sabotage the ruling party? Wouldn't you?

#AykforPresident2031

Disclaimer: "The views expressed on this site are those of the contributors or columnists, and do not necessarily reflect TheNigerianVoice’s position. TheNigerianVoice will not be responsible or liable for any inaccurate or incorrect statements in the contributions or columns here."

Articles by Ayokunle Ayk Fowosire