Odita Sunday 
By Laurence Izegbu
In a nation where the gulf between the ruling elite and the masses is starkly apparent, a disturbing phenomenon has taken hold.
Elected officials, entrusted with the weighty responsibility of leading Nigeria towards prosperity, have increasingly exhibited behaviours that suggest a profound disconnect from the people they serve.
Their actions, redolent of a bygone era of autocratic rule, betray a disturbing sense of entitlement and a staggering lack of humility.
From the moment they assume office, their demeanour undergoes a transformation. They surround themselves with an entourage of sycophants and advisors, while eschewing genuine counsel and dissenting voices.
They travel with an impressive convoy, complete with police escorts and ceremonial fanfare, as if to underscore their perceived superiority.
A police officer must open their doors before they alight, and where they attend public events, the music must stop so the MC can announce their names.
They must sit in the front row, and find it difficult to exchange greetings with people they know, because their police escorts will protect them.
This ostentatious display of power stands in stark contrast to the humility and quiet dignity of professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, and professors, who are often seated in the same places, quietly going about their business.
An ordinary Commissioner with no portfolio behaves like they’re above the law, as if they’re the only ones who matter.
What manner of delusion is this, and why do the masses applaud this charade?
The unvarnished truth is that these politicians are not the crème de la crème of Nigerian society. They’re in office because they are opportuned while some have the money and connections to match the demand.
They’ve made politics so expensive that only the wealthy can play, and they keep getting re-elected because nobody else can afford to run. It’s a moment of introspection: they stay in power, get richer, and maintain the status quo, while the country suffers.
They’re happy to stay in office for 8, 12, 20 years, flunting their wealth and power, while the people suffer in poverty. No electricity, no roads, no hospitals, no education.
They don’t care about the youths, because they want them to remain praise singers, while their own children are equipped to take over. And now, the very people they refused to educate are causing chaos in the country.
It’s time for these politicians to wake up. They’re not above the people; they’re privileged to serve. And if they don’t change their ways, the consequences might be disastrous.
It’s time for accountability, humility, and a commitment to serving the people, not just lining their own pockets. The days of impunity are over; it’s time for them to face the music.
Nigeria, a nation blessed with an abundance of natural resources, lies in a state of desolate despair, a testament to the ravages of corruption and ineptitude.
Crude oil and gas, the supposed harbingers of prosperity, have instead become the catalysts for catastrophe, as the ruling elite pilfer the nation’s coffers with impunity.
The refineries, once the pride of the nation, stand idle, victims of embezzlement and neglect.
The skies are bereft of a national airline, the roads are treacherous, and the social safety net is non-existent.
The education system is in shambles, producing graduates who are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Professors and intellectuals languish, unproductive and uninspired, as research and innovation are stifled by a culture of mediocrity.
The youth, denied opportunities and disenfranchised, are left to languish in a sea of desperation.
Foreign companies flee, jobs are lost, and the economy teeters on the brink of collapse.
The ruling class, seemingly oblivious to the devastation they have wrought, surround themselves with sycophants and yes-men, eschewing competence and meritocracy in favour of loyalty and self-interest.
It is a travesty, a national tragedy of epic proportions, and yet, the oppressed continue to praise their oppressors, trapped in a cycle of ignorance and servitude.
To the youths of Nigeria, the message is clear: the time for lamentation is over; the time for action is now. You have spent countless hours serenading politicians with praise, hours that could have been invested in acquiring skills that would set you free.
The future belongs to those who master the technologies of tomorrow: blockchain, AI, coding, and green energy commerce. These are the tools that will unlock prosperity, not the empty promises of politicians.
They will not fix the country; they are too busy fixing their own fortunes. They will leave, and you will be left to pick up the pieces.
So, pick up yourselves, and start building. The world is moving at a pace they cannot keep up with; don’t let them hold you back.
Your destiny is in your hands; seize it.
And to those who love politics and ask, “But what can we do?” The answer is simple: get involved. Identify with a political party, seek an elected position, and run for office. Don’t wait for the big names to change; they won’t. Power is fought for, not given.
If you continue to serve the ruling party without questioning, the status quo will remain.
It’s time to challenge the system, not just complain about it. The future is yours to shape; don’t let anyone else define it for you.
Good luck.
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