Neither a first offender, nor someone awaiting trial abroad but even a full fledged convict who just completed his prison terms can come to Nigeria to become a 2-term governor in a leading political party. What a shame! On completion of his terms, not only is he reckoned with, he might soon be celebrated, even with a 170-count charge hanging on his neck as he flies in. Morality and Honesty has turned to stupidity in this country. Materialism and wealth is more important than its source. Hard work to the youth is a time waster.
As James Ibori is coming out of this, a king in Osun State who got thugs to beat up a fellow Oba is shockingly identified also to have served some jail terms in Canada between 2006 and 2007. This is not to talk about President Olusegun Obasanjo's allegation that till today, the PDP chieftain Senator Buruji Kashamu dare not enter the State of Illinois. This is a country where you can change your full names 4 times a year and nothing will happen.
The question is what policy framework is permitting drug peddlers, corrupt politicians and imprisoned criminals abroad to become leaders in Nigeria?
Do Nigerians link change of Identity to criminality at all? Has the law that bans convicts from ruling Nigeria being abolished? What are the unobserved checks necessary for citizens to take leadership positions in Nigeria and why are they not observed? Do the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Prisons Service share data with similar organisations globally to make Nigeria a safer place and ensure that criminals do not get into power and positions of leadership? Why should we run a system where Identity Issues do not matter?
Do Nigerians link change of Identity to criminality at all? Has the law that bans convicts from ruling Nigeria being abolished? What are the unobserved checks necessary for citizens to take leadership positions in Nigeria and why are they not observed? Do the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigerian Prisons Service share data with similar organisations globally to make Nigeria a safer place and ensure that criminals do not get into power and positions of leadership? Why should we run a system where Identity Issues do not matter?
How do we thrive in a society without records? In 2015,I searched and researched to get a video of Chief MKO Abiola's incarceration in 1994. I was shocked to find out that big media houses of that time could not get it but foreign media will get it for you in a jiffy.
As it happened recently, I am waiting for the day the Biometric Verification Number will be important at Nigerian International Airports, popping up everyone's past and present. I am waiting for that day when BVN will help the Code of Conduct Bureau, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, etc to identify stolen funds. We all wait for that day in Nigeria when your BVN will be your shadow and convicts either here or abroad will personally knock their own names out of election lists or critical appointments before the screening agencies do so.
The refusal of a nation to keep records of events, history and identity is not just suicidal. It is Self-genocide.
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