Nonso Mojekwu is a Nigerian professor of engineering based in the United States of America. He now wants to serve his country as a senator. The experience of the professor so far does not only epitomise the problems of Nigerian politics, it also unde
Editorial
Wednesday, March 30, 2011


NONSO Mojekwu is a Nigerian professor of engineering based in the United States of America. He now wants to serve his country as a senator. The experience of the professor so far does not only epitomise the problems of Nigerian politics, it also underscores the factors responsible for the pathetic living conditions of a majority of Nigerian citizens. He has been lamenting the high cost of running for a political office in Nigeria and the insincerity of the political leadership. His views about politics in Nigeria tallies with the conclusion of discerning observers of the country's political milieu.



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IN his bid to realise his political ambition, Mojekwu joined the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in his Anambra home state. He said after he had paid the mandatory N3.5 million to enable him to participate in the senatorial primary in Anambra South, the party gave the ticket to an anointed candidate. The professor is now to run for the Senate on the ticket of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and has been considering the option of going to court so that he can recover his money from APGA.


MOJEKWU'S disappointment is not only with the politicians. It also extends to the people. He is dismayed by the behaviour of politicians who give everything to get elected only to intercept everything meant for the people after getting to office. He is amazed that the people of his own village have been asking him for money and he has been wondering why he is being expected to pay them to go and serve them. He is worried that the best brains will not come forward to serve for as long as this unwholesome situation persists.


WITHIN the limited period of Professor Mojekwu's involvement in Nigerian politics, he can be said to have virtually seen it all. The anomalies on the Nigerian political terrain are visible even for the blind to see and audible enough for the deaf to hear. Everything appears to have gone wrong with the value system. While the leaders have callously continued to steal even what they do not need, the followers have been stupidly insistent on instant gratification to the detriment of future benefits. This is why the much-talked-about dividends of democracy have continued to be an empty promise.


IT is apparent that everything is wrong with the process that throws up Nigeria's elective office holders. Only a negligible percentage of the population can afford what is required for the expression of interest and purchase of nomination forms. Whoever lacks the means but has the interest to run for a political office will need the support of a political godfather to whom they must pay back in various ways if the relationship is not to go sour sooner than later. The presidential aspirants of the viable political parties paid N10 million for nomination forms. Each of those contesting for their parties' governorship tickets parted with N5 million. Aspirants for party ticket for election to the Senate paid N3.5 million. Those seeking to be fielded for election to the House of Representatives and state assemblies paid N2.5 million and N1 million respectively. There have been stories of political office seekers who sold movable and immovable properties to raise the money required to finance their electoral bid.


THE amount of money paid into the coffers of the political party by an aspirant peters into insignificance when juxtaposed with what is usually spent to bribe delegates and political godfathers. Even after getting the party's ticket, the elective office seeker has only scaled the first hurdle. Many a contestant finds themselves in the tick of the electoral process before they come to appreciate the enormity of the task in which they are involved. This is why, when they win and assume office, the topmost item on the list of their unofficial priorities is the recovery of their 'investments' and the setting up of a special fund for the next election. This is why projects are started with fanfare and abandoned immediately afterwards. This is why basic needs are beyond the reach of the ordinary people.


DURING the visit to Africa of the American President Barack Obama, his emphasis was on the need for strong institutions rather than strong leaders. In this country, there is a legal limit to political donations and electioneering expenses. There is no evidence whatsoever that these are being monitored not to talk about being enforced. It has become the standard practice for state resources to be used for electioneering purposes. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions have been keeping mum because they are weak. We urge other well-meaning Nigerians to join Professor Mojekwu in denouncing the improprieties in Nigerian politics. There is an urgent need for a thorough going reorientation of the people so that they can always make informed choices. There is also a pressing need for the strengthening of national institutions so that they can always ensure compliance with the law.

http://odili.net/news/source/2011/mar/30/621.html

http://www.arch.uic.edu/faculty/mojekwu.php
http://www.matrixchicago.com/staff/#gene
http://www.nigeriadailynews.com/politics/12861-what-we-practice-in-nigeria-is-selectocracy-%E2%80%93-prof-mojekwu.html.