“I’ve heard of a country far away, I’ve seen it on the television, sometimes spoken of on the radio, but mostly when the elders talk. At times I catch glimpses of it. Oh, yes I do. Surprisingly vivid but most times ever so faint, shrouded by the thick canopies of time. This distant land, the gulf seemingly untraversable. This is one chapter of history I wish would repeat itself. Our dear motherland, where did you go?”
We’re ever so quick to castigate the average Nigerian for being so unruly and just in case you’re wondering, yes, I’m just as guilty of this as the next person. Recently though, I chose to suspend my usual verdict and ponder over it a little. The conclusion I came to was that we’re not entirely to blame. There’s almost nothing more demoralising than being treated as a subhuman when others, with the same one head, two legs and two arms like myself are treated as gods. To constantly witness others flout the law, laid down procedures and the system at will can be most disheartening.
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Especially when they’re even aided to do so by those constitutionally responsible to prevent such. Every day, we wonder why the same unruly individual transforms in an instant, once he finds himself in a society that works. It’s because all those who operate in such a system know the application of the law is unu,i.iform across board. It’s there for everyone to see. Whether the person who flouts it is poor, rich, a high profile celebrity or a senior government official, the punishment is not only the same but it will be applied without “fear of favour” as we like to say. This has to be one of the most vacuous terms in this land as it often remains just that, a term.
An individual who very rightly feels the pangs of injustice everyday, as a result of our penchant to apply the rule subjectively rather than objectively, will be less than motivated to be consistent in doing what’s right. Yes, he too will want to see what he can get away with. In many ways it’s a psychological thing because for that moment, he too can feel like one of the gods. Obeying rules, honesty and the like, belong to the same family, integrity. Just because you don’t steal doesn’t automatically bestow upon you the right to adorn the toga of integrity. Subverting the system because you have the means and the clout smacks of a lack of character, of which integrity is an integral element. Equal application of rules, no matter the person’s social status, who he knows or which side of the Niger river he comes from, is essential if we desire to live in a harmonious society.
A government Minister in the UK is just as likely to be pulled over by the police, questioned and asked to take an on the spot breatherlizer test if he’s caught driving recklessly or found breaking the speed limit, as the average Joe. More importantly, if he fails it, he is just as likely to be disciplined instantly by way of a fine; worse still, his driving licence may be suspended. And he dare not drive without it because if he gets caught, bribing the authorities is not an option. So all who live in such systems enjoy the dignity of being treated like human beings, no matter their status. You won’t find one rule applying to the “haves” and another to the “have nots”. Of course such a society will work and everyone, almost without exemption will condemn and vilify anyone who portrays himself as superior to others and above the law. This “Lala land” is where we need to get to.
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Right on cue and as if to buttress my position while I was writing this piece; as I approached a traffic light on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way which was on green, two LASTMA officials overzealously jumped out to literally stop us in our tracks. “What could it be?” I wondered. A split second later, a police escorted vehicle coming from another direction ignored the red light and crossed. “No wonder” I sighed. A god too big for traffic lights needed to pass so of course the rest of us mere mortals just had to wait. I often ask myself why someone so concerned about his safety and obviously that “big” doesn’t just purchase a bullet proof vehicle? Once you have that, there’s really no need for the blaring sirens and the battalion of policemen, is there? But then I pinch myself back to reality. What’s the essence of being a big man if you can’t announce your presence? That’s the “koko” now.
I find it incredulous when Government wonders why investments aren’t flowing into Nigeria as they would like. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out though. Why would someone invest his hard earned money in a system where the ruling authorities flout the law at will. A nation where due to your political associations, you can wake up one morning and find the policy has been changed; the goal post moved half way through the game; making total nonsense of your investment. And what’s the remedy? Institute a court case that can be on for the next 15 years! As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. International investors are smart people who do adequate research and only go where their money is safe.
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Sadly, this sense of injustice has become a norm to the average Nigerian as he’s had to grapple with it day in day out. Our governments are so quick to breach contracts with just about everyone. Sitting comfortably in the driving seat, they breach contracts at will with the people, making one promise today but doing another tomorrow. Just as children learn from the most influential authority figures in their lives, their parents, so do members of a society learn from governments.
As hard as I try I can’t think of any logical reason why one would feel any sense of loyalty to a system so blatantly skewed against both their interest and the collective interest of the society itself. Subjective application of rules is totally antithetical to the progress of any organization or society because all those who feel this pinch will do everything possible to find themselves on the side of the gods who carry on with impunity. Why wouldn’t they present fake academic certificates in order to get that juicy job or appointment? Given the chance, why wouldn’t they embezzle to their heart’s content? After all, it’s a matter of doing whatever it takes. By hook or by crook, they must get there.
Changing the nation…one mind at a time
Dapo Akande
