By LEONARD KARSHIMA SHILGBA –
If you are one of the people who seek to govern Nigerians, you must first understand them in order not to suffer DISAPPOINTMENT and, probably, a HEART ATTACK.
1. It takes trivialities to excite Nigerians, and so do not waste time on the serious stuff, otherwise you will not get or retain their attention.
2. Align yourself with their preferred religion or ethnicity, and they will forgive you for stealing their inheritance. They love religion without morals and tribe without patriotism.
3. Never rely on the avowed support of Nigerians for your candidature. They will betray their support at the sight of the naira. They may not tell you; but money is a religion to many of your supporters. If you cannot make the right OFFERING on the DAY that matters, you will wake up from your dream with a pain in your chest.
4. Many Nigerians, including those with little education, do not actually understand Nigeria’s problems, and neither do they understand the right solutions. Trying hard to explain Nigeria to them irritates them. Don’t be surprised to hear them say, “Too much grammar! Na grammar we de chop?” They value privileges above their constitutional rights, and are prepared to sell those rights for less than a thousand naira!
5. Nigerians have always blamed their “leaders” for their problems since the time you may care to recall. But never get encouraged that you, the “clean one”, will get their OVERWHELMING votes on the election day. They will vote the same “leaders” that they have abused every so often for being “corrupt”. Oh, how Nigerians love those GENEROUS “corrupt” politicians!
6. When Nigerians talk about “political structures”, they often mean more than the ordinary meaning; their interpretation includes “monetary structures”.
Nigerians love to have it so. Their suffering continues until they are ready to change. For now, they are not ready. However, ONE OF THEM MAY EMERGE AND DESTROY THIS SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE MAJORITY OF NIGERIANS, WHO PRETEND TO HATE IT UNTIL THEY ARE MADE BENEFICIARIES THEREOF.
The above is my one kobo.
Leonard Karshima Shilgba
© Shilgba
