Money Politics, Nigeria - Politics Vs Money Ahead Of Elections
What is the driving force behind the much-anticipated March 28 election? Naij.com’s guest author Osayimwen Osahon George dissects the habit of engaging in “money politics” in Nigeria.
The history of Nigerian politics is entangled with money politics. In fact, here, the term ‘politics’ can be used interchangeably with ‘money’. The size of a politician’s campaign ground can be an effective yardstick for measuring his wealth and influence but not for estimating how much people believe in his leadership abilities and potential. Time is money to the electorate. Ears are rented. They chant aloud and sing praises when they clearly can’t understand or hear the campaign speech being delivered by the candidate. This doesn’t make them different from Nollywood actors.
Democracy in Nigeria has been heavily battered. An average Nigerian sees the election period as a blatant opportunity for him to grab his share of the ‘national cake’.
Earlier this year, newspapers widely reported the massive sale of houses and other properties belonging to politicians at give-away prices in top cities like Lagos and Abuja. This is because of huge financial demands of political campaigns, with the masses stretching opened hands to receive cash and other resources from competing sides. This could be likened to the “game theory” in political science where both parties aim to win by exploiting weaknesses of an opposing side.
The politician recklessly spending his hard-earned funds isn’t dumb or that magnanimous. The people constantly demanding for financial resources are not smart; they will pay an unimaginable exploitative interest rate over the next four years at the success of the candidate.
One can hardly name a country in the world where instances of bribery or political corruption are not present in their national politics. Researches on Africa’s post-colonial history have shown that in Africa, corruption is an institutionalised and systemic practice affecting not only the post-colonial state itself, but also the majority of the citizenry. Still, Nigeria’s case is alarming. The image of democracy is severely dented.
Financing
politics is considered to be a good investment in Nigeria. Once a
godfather chooses his protégée, profit is guaranteed. Corruption in
financing politics in the country pervades every level of the government
and takes many forms.
No wonder political parties are among the three most corrupt institutions, according to governance surveys in Nigeria. However, the problem has not yet received deserved attention. Prominent politicians in Nigeria have successfully created an enabling environment for deterioration of democracy. Have you ever wondered how the PDP is spending the N21 billion raised for the presidential campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan? It is widely believed that the money is just a tip of the iceberg.
The presidential electoral money sharing force smells something propelled above N50 billion naira but this is very subjective anyway.
We have heard of the rumoured N6 billion given to prominent Nigerian pastors to preach against Muhammadu Buhari. What about the undisclosed fee given to the Yoruba ‘leader’ Gani Adams that prompted him to promise President Goodluck Jonathan six million votes Probably the late Professor Peller (the magician) would have loved to challenge him to a magical contest if he were alive. Money has this alcoholic effect if not properly managed.
Another rumour also has it that our great president gave a whooping $250,000 to each traditional ruler at the Southwest geopolitical zone to secure votes of their followers. According to a report from 15th of March, 2015, “a handful of obas received as high as $250,000 each, while the least-paid were traditional rulers of small towns who were given $10,000 each.”
Looks like the pay was worth new enemies and future risks, since these leaders blindly endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan against their fellow Yoruba man, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who is a running mate to the APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari. This is business. As long as the profits exceed the costs, it’s a successful year. I am sure this is part of what President Goodluck Jonathan was advocating for when he advised the citizens on entrepreneurship. It takes improved and sensitive entrepreneurial abilities to deal with politicians at times. Not only is this abuse of democracy and power, but also a public slap in the faces of the followers of these so-called traditional rulers.
Voting is a civic right that should be respected. No leader reserves the right to impose a certain candidate on any electorate. This certifies the stand of the Awujale, paramount ruler of Ijebuland, oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and others who gallantly refused to be politically bought. Independent-mindedness and critical nature are important features that differentiate a southwest person from a northerner who agrees to die in a terrorist operation without questions. This could be attributed to the success of indirect rule in the early 90s.
This article portrays too much subjectivity regarding incidents of bribery, but the beauty of rumours in the context of Nigeria is that they always end up with the strongest elements of truth which is revealed over time.
It was widely publicized that President Jonathan also stormed Lagos with wads of dollar notes. His campaign strategist made a perfect suggestion due to the high value of the dollar as compared to naira, which is around N220 per dollar. That was enough to buy the conscience of the electorates in Lagos.
It is so sad that the kind of politics we play in Nigeria hasn’t reached its maturity stage. We are playing politics of the street. We trade insults rather than discuss issues. A close study of the Facebook page of the campaign manager of President Jonathan, Fani-Kayode, sums it all. His close enmity with governor Rotimi Amaechi is enviable. It reminds me of our secondary school days when you always criticize a female classmate just to get her attention. Both of them should probably settle their hidden crush on each other outside politics. I am not straying away from the issue of money as it seems. The PDP clearly went to the election transfer market to shop for Fani-Kayode.
That reminds me of football. Diego Costa in the last Champions league campaign played and scored against Chelsea football club of England, but today, he is the torch-bearer of Chelsea FC. Fani-Kayode used to be the PDP’s most ardent opposer; recently, the APC showcased one of the harshest criticisms of the incumbent president he delivered before defecting to the ruling party. It’s a simple game of Fani-Kayode weighing where he could eat more and then deciding. This further confirms the comic statement made by the former military head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) that if you want Fani-Kayode to dance and sing for you, simple give him ‘food’ to eat. These are terrible models of leadership consciously and unconsciously influencing the lives of us, the youths.
Another point worthy of note is the “romance” of the leadership of the PDP with some Nollywood actors. When, looking at pictures of President Jonathan’s campaign in Asaba, Delta state, on the 5th February, 2015, I saw prominent Nollywood stars like Ramsey Noah, Monalisa Chinda, Kate Henshaw, Joseph Benjamin, Ini Edo, Daddy Showky (singer), Patience Ozokwor, Omoni Oboli, Fred Amata, Nollywood producers Zeb Ejiro, Moses Ewang, Kingsley Ogoro, comedians Gordons, Omobaba, and others, I knew something bigger than my imagination must have driven them out despite their acclaimed tight schedule.
Particularly the way Ramsey Noah, with his fresh skin, was chanting under the scorching sun was an indication of a ‘personal’ motivation. Well, what do you expect? Since he was paid for the show, he decided to do his best as an actor. Much respect to Ramsey Noah and others, anyway, at times the country’s economic state doesn’t permit you to uphold your integrity. I am sorry if I am taking this personally.
It’s not my intention to engage in any sort of character assassination, but here is my question: how come these Nollywood stars developed an interest in Nigerian politics over the night (aside Kate Henshaw who made a failed attempt at it)? Did providence make a revelation to them through a dream, trance or vision? If you follow them on the social media, or go through their interviews, some of them have never mistakenly mentioned the term ‘politics’ in decades, even as a result of malapropism.
I will not fail to mention the Ekiti state ‘rice strategy’ that ushered in governor Ayo Fayose. He strongly tackled the issue of hunger during the campaign… but what is the essence of giving an able-bodied jobless young man the best food at a five-star restaurant when you know he will be back hungry the next day? His joy will only be momentary. That is the plight of the Ekiti state people, and they are feeling the heat. Earlier this year, governor Ayo Fayose threatened to sack Ekiti workers who failed to honour the campaign of President Jonathan. This, coupled with his recent threats on traditional rulers, is an aberration to civil rule and local customs. It’s high time our leaders started treating us as sane people, not bombard us with cheap gifts, false hopes as if we were patients going through a rehabilitation process.
The issue of integrity in Nigeria seems to be washed away gradually by the “monetary erosion”. Everybody has a price tag, only prices differ. Once you meet the asking price, the individual accepts the contract. Consider the case of Reuben Abati’s permanent silence. Abati, currently special adviser on media and publicity, used to be an unrepentant critic of the current administration. He was previously a newspaper columnist and chairman of the editorial board of the Nigerian newspaper The Guardian from 2001 to 2011.
Finally, the ‘money politics syndrome’ is about to raise its ugly head in deciding the winner of the forthcoming presidential elections in Nigeria. If you follow opinion polls and intellectually accurate surveys carried out by reputable organisations, you will realise that the odds favour the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), but that is on paper. In reality, those privy to Nigerian politics are placing their bets on President Goodluck Jonathan due to national financial resources at his disposal. It is just a matter of you displaying your price tag on your shirt and getting paid.
The outcome of the forthcoming election now appears scary, as the electorates are scared of another four years of political and economic oppressions. We are tired of reading news of missing billions and fake promises. The plight of the masses is so pitiful. We need to stand up against this trend of money politics which is an entry point to unscrupulous political elements in power. Let us endure the economic hardship of resisting attractive bribery items as a small sacrifice for a greater future for the country.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/407025-money-politics-nigeria-politics-vs-money-ahead-of-elections.html
The history of Nigerian politics is entangled with money politics. In fact, here, the term ‘politics’ can be used interchangeably with ‘money’. The size of a politician’s campaign ground can be an effective yardstick for measuring his wealth and influence but not for estimating how much people believe in his leadership abilities and potential. Time is money to the electorate. Ears are rented. They chant aloud and sing praises when they clearly can’t understand or hear the campaign speech being delivered by the candidate. This doesn’t make them different from Nollywood actors.
Democracy in Nigeria has been heavily battered. An average Nigerian sees the election period as a blatant opportunity for him to grab his share of the ‘national cake’.
Earlier this year, newspapers widely reported the massive sale of houses and other properties belonging to politicians at give-away prices in top cities like Lagos and Abuja. This is because of huge financial demands of political campaigns, with the masses stretching opened hands to receive cash and other resources from competing sides. This could be likened to the “game theory” in political science where both parties aim to win by exploiting weaknesses of an opposing side.
The politician recklessly spending his hard-earned funds isn’t dumb or that magnanimous. The people constantly demanding for financial resources are not smart; they will pay an unimaginable exploitative interest rate over the next four years at the success of the candidate.
One can hardly name a country in the world where instances of bribery or political corruption are not present in their national politics. Researches on Africa’s post-colonial history have shown that in Africa, corruption is an institutionalised and systemic practice affecting not only the post-colonial state itself, but also the majority of the citizenry. Still, Nigeria’s case is alarming. The image of democracy is severely dented.
No wonder political parties are among the three most corrupt institutions, according to governance surveys in Nigeria. However, the problem has not yet received deserved attention. Prominent politicians in Nigeria have successfully created an enabling environment for deterioration of democracy. Have you ever wondered how the PDP is spending the N21 billion raised for the presidential campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan? It is widely believed that the money is just a tip of the iceberg.
The presidential electoral money sharing force smells something propelled above N50 billion naira but this is very subjective anyway.
We have heard of the rumoured N6 billion given to prominent Nigerian pastors to preach against Muhammadu Buhari. What about the undisclosed fee given to the Yoruba ‘leader’ Gani Adams that prompted him to promise President Goodluck Jonathan six million votes Probably the late Professor Peller (the magician) would have loved to challenge him to a magical contest if he were alive. Money has this alcoholic effect if not properly managed.
Another rumour also has it that our great president gave a whooping $250,000 to each traditional ruler at the Southwest geopolitical zone to secure votes of their followers. According to a report from 15th of March, 2015, “a handful of obas received as high as $250,000 each, while the least-paid were traditional rulers of small towns who were given $10,000 each.”
Looks like the pay was worth new enemies and future risks, since these leaders blindly endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan against their fellow Yoruba man, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, who is a running mate to the APC presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari. This is business. As long as the profits exceed the costs, it’s a successful year. I am sure this is part of what President Goodluck Jonathan was advocating for when he advised the citizens on entrepreneurship. It takes improved and sensitive entrepreneurial abilities to deal with politicians at times. Not only is this abuse of democracy and power, but also a public slap in the faces of the followers of these so-called traditional rulers.
Voting is a civic right that should be respected. No leader reserves the right to impose a certain candidate on any electorate. This certifies the stand of the Awujale, paramount ruler of Ijebuland, oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, and others who gallantly refused to be politically bought. Independent-mindedness and critical nature are important features that differentiate a southwest person from a northerner who agrees to die in a terrorist operation without questions. This could be attributed to the success of indirect rule in the early 90s.
This article portrays too much subjectivity regarding incidents of bribery, but the beauty of rumours in the context of Nigeria is that they always end up with the strongest elements of truth which is revealed over time.
It was widely publicized that President Jonathan also stormed Lagos with wads of dollar notes. His campaign strategist made a perfect suggestion due to the high value of the dollar as compared to naira, which is around N220 per dollar. That was enough to buy the conscience of the electorates in Lagos.
It is so sad that the kind of politics we play in Nigeria hasn’t reached its maturity stage. We are playing politics of the street. We trade insults rather than discuss issues. A close study of the Facebook page of the campaign manager of President Jonathan, Fani-Kayode, sums it all. His close enmity with governor Rotimi Amaechi is enviable. It reminds me of our secondary school days when you always criticize a female classmate just to get her attention. Both of them should probably settle their hidden crush on each other outside politics. I am not straying away from the issue of money as it seems. The PDP clearly went to the election transfer market to shop for Fani-Kayode.
That reminds me of football. Diego Costa in the last Champions league campaign played and scored against Chelsea football club of England, but today, he is the torch-bearer of Chelsea FC. Fani-Kayode used to be the PDP’s most ardent opposer; recently, the APC showcased one of the harshest criticisms of the incumbent president he delivered before defecting to the ruling party. It’s a simple game of Fani-Kayode weighing where he could eat more and then deciding. This further confirms the comic statement made by the former military head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) that if you want Fani-Kayode to dance and sing for you, simple give him ‘food’ to eat. These are terrible models of leadership consciously and unconsciously influencing the lives of us, the youths.
Another point worthy of note is the “romance” of the leadership of the PDP with some Nollywood actors. When, looking at pictures of President Jonathan’s campaign in Asaba, Delta state, on the 5th February, 2015, I saw prominent Nollywood stars like Ramsey Noah, Monalisa Chinda, Kate Henshaw, Joseph Benjamin, Ini Edo, Daddy Showky (singer), Patience Ozokwor, Omoni Oboli, Fred Amata, Nollywood producers Zeb Ejiro, Moses Ewang, Kingsley Ogoro, comedians Gordons, Omobaba, and others, I knew something bigger than my imagination must have driven them out despite their acclaimed tight schedule.
Particularly the way Ramsey Noah, with his fresh skin, was chanting under the scorching sun was an indication of a ‘personal’ motivation. Well, what do you expect? Since he was paid for the show, he decided to do his best as an actor. Much respect to Ramsey Noah and others, anyway, at times the country’s economic state doesn’t permit you to uphold your integrity. I am sorry if I am taking this personally.
It’s not my intention to engage in any sort of character assassination, but here is my question: how come these Nollywood stars developed an interest in Nigerian politics over the night (aside Kate Henshaw who made a failed attempt at it)? Did providence make a revelation to them through a dream, trance or vision? If you follow them on the social media, or go through their interviews, some of them have never mistakenly mentioned the term ‘politics’ in decades, even as a result of malapropism.
I will not fail to mention the Ekiti state ‘rice strategy’ that ushered in governor Ayo Fayose. He strongly tackled the issue of hunger during the campaign… but what is the essence of giving an able-bodied jobless young man the best food at a five-star restaurant when you know he will be back hungry the next day? His joy will only be momentary. That is the plight of the Ekiti state people, and they are feeling the heat. Earlier this year, governor Ayo Fayose threatened to sack Ekiti workers who failed to honour the campaign of President Jonathan. This, coupled with his recent threats on traditional rulers, is an aberration to civil rule and local customs. It’s high time our leaders started treating us as sane people, not bombard us with cheap gifts, false hopes as if we were patients going through a rehabilitation process.
The issue of integrity in Nigeria seems to be washed away gradually by the “monetary erosion”. Everybody has a price tag, only prices differ. Once you meet the asking price, the individual accepts the contract. Consider the case of Reuben Abati’s permanent silence. Abati, currently special adviser on media and publicity, used to be an unrepentant critic of the current administration. He was previously a newspaper columnist and chairman of the editorial board of the Nigerian newspaper The Guardian from 2001 to 2011.
Finally, the ‘money politics syndrome’ is about to raise its ugly head in deciding the winner of the forthcoming presidential elections in Nigeria. If you follow opinion polls and intellectually accurate surveys carried out by reputable organisations, you will realise that the odds favour the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), but that is on paper. In reality, those privy to Nigerian politics are placing their bets on President Goodluck Jonathan due to national financial resources at his disposal. It is just a matter of you displaying your price tag on your shirt and getting paid.
The outcome of the forthcoming election now appears scary, as the electorates are scared of another four years of political and economic oppressions. We are tired of reading news of missing billions and fake promises. The plight of the masses is so pitiful. We need to stand up against this trend of money politics which is an entry point to unscrupulous political elements in power. Let us endure the economic hardship of resisting attractive bribery items as a small sacrifice for a greater future for the country.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/407025-money-politics-nigeria-politics-vs-money-ahead-of-elections.html
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