Politicians Crying Wolf?

Yes….it’s that season again. Not of the football premierships. I am talking about the “political campaign premiership” in Nigeria. But then given the nature and quality of it I am not sure “premiership” is a suitable word.

I got the email below in my inbox…and by the way as Editor I get all sorts of messages:

“Crack agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are expected to swoop down in Ilorin, Birnin Kebbi, Sokoto, Gombe and Dutse today to arrest top Finance and Local Government Ministry officials in a crackdown secretly ordered by the Presidency”.

…”five Northern governors who have been spared from the crackdown are expected to quickly capitulate and support Jonathan’s ambition, or else the EFCC will crack down on them too. They are Niger State governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Adamawa’s Admiral Murtala Nyako, Katsina State’s Barrister Ibrahim Shema, Zamfara’s Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi and Kano’s governor Ibrahim Shekarau.”

I looked at it suspiciously and thought...here we go again! Everyone trying to spin and manoeuvre their way to power and money or hang on to it at all cost!

Politicians cry “wolf” because “wolf” it what they have turned the EFCC to since it came to existence some few years back. Today nobody flicks an eyebrow when alleged and offending corrupt public officers say the EFCC witch-hunts opponents.

But the big question is: does the EFCC do so?

Well, the anti-corruption body always shouts to high heavens, “no, no, no, we don’t do that.”

The new twist to the “EFCC-witch hunt” saga in today’s story adds a new dimension to the tale.

Could it a pre-emptive strike from those who smell the rat from the flooding corners of their States?

Politics in Nigeria is colourful, dramatic, sometimes to the sad and tragic proportions they often reach today. But politicians say we should not despair; that democracy is still at its “infant” stage and things will be better.

As the country prepares to go to the polls early next year…I pray with millions of my compatriots.