#ENDBADGOVERNANCE: BE WARY OF YOUTHS/YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LACKEYS OF THE CORRUPT OLD BRIGADE
Samuel Enyi Otsapa
Samuelotsapa@gmail.com
08038127832
080547886
Samuel Enyi Otsapa
I am not a saint – but I’d beat my chest any day and any place to say that I am not a ‘sold-out’ young Nigerian who has compromised and conniaved with the old and thieving generation of Nigeria’s leaders; the same lot we are now protesting against across Nigeria.
The reality is: I have had several occasions where I would have speedily made some ‘cool’ Benjamins (dollars) from supporting the corrupt but each time, I’d refused. I refused not because I do not have need for money (I always have need for money) but my upbringing, education and conscience would not allow me become ‘ponchorized’! In rejecting these offers, other young people, including a girlfriend, had called me “fuckup guy”. That is, a man who isn’t a smart alec.
Of course we want youths/young people included in the scheme of things in Nigeria and the 36 states – but we must not make the mistake of drafting in youths/young people who have compromised with the old and corrupt brigade we are now protesting to cast out for forever and a day. If we make this mistake, it’ll be the body of Jacob but the hand of Esau and Uhuru would be farther than far.
I know some youths/youth people who are used by their state governments to launder money for them through banks; money meant to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions and to develop infrastructure. If we are not discerning, these same youths/young people would be sponsored by these corrupt old brigade into government so they would maintain their stranglehold on their state’s treasury and that of Abuja – thus the vicious circus/circle of corruption, nepotism, evil, wickedness, selfishness, insecurity, underdevelopment and lies would continue unto our grand children.
Folks, as we begin the process of saving our country and states from the old brigade, we must be committed to sieving the ‘ponchocrats’ (people who are selfseekers) from the democrats (people who are selfless)! Going forward, we must now be consciously committed to supporting only men and women, both old and young, who have not had their hands stained with the blood of innocent Nigerians through their conscious and deliberate allegiance and romance with the corrupt and thieving old brigade politicians. We must also be committed to supporting individuals and not political party platforms in a situation where a voter can vote for a PDP gubernatorial candidate and an APC presidential candidate. Individuals over parties!
We want youths/young people involvement in the politics and governance of the states and Nigeria but in all our wanting, we must be wise such that we do not bring in man-Fridays and lackeys of the same corrupt lot these protests have helped us to once more uncover and shame. In this epoch making moment, being a youth/young person must not be the only yardstick but integrity, education, expertise and more importantly, possessing large deposits of compassion towards the long-suffering people of this country and the public service selflessness to do what is important while in public office. This must become our creed going forward – if we want Nigeria to grow.
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