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"History will never forgive those who know the right but decided to fold their arms and watch the forces of degradation and iniquity to prevail in our midst" Frantz Fanon. Dear Political Class
Before I proceed I would like to make one point very clear, I practically have nothing against anyone of you as a person but I have a lot against your conduct of public affairs which I consider undemocratic and inhuman.
As a law abiding citizen of Nigeria and one who want things change for better in Nigeria. It is high time to tell the truth and nothing but the truth even it be unpleasant. This because our Holy Prophet Muhammad ( P.B.U.H) is reported to have said: " Tell the truth even it be unpleasant." My failure to tell the truth may be in complete contempt to the teaching of the Holy Prophet ( P.B.U.H) which I hold in high esteem hence the need for this open letter.
Since May 29th, 2005 when democracy unfolded before our very eyes we've been expected that there would be change in our living standard in terms of potable water supply, constant power supply qualitative education for all and sundry etc. But to our dismay things are becoming worst economy have been stagnating, increase in assassination (political inclusive), health care facilities becoming poorer, widespread of malnutrition breaking down of infrastructures problem of unemployment, problem of power supply, corruption in high places which has weaken the Nigerian state and accelerated the neglect of fundamental needs such as food health and education, refusal to pay military and civilian pensioners what is due for them, privatization commercialization of all our assets which our fore-fathers labored for a long time to put in place and selectivity in handling cases especially the continued detention of Major Hamza Al- Mustapha ,Major General Ishaya Bamaiyi and others.
STATE OF EDUCATION
Education remain the bedrock of any nation and as such Nigeria cannot be an exception but the hope to acquire education especially university education by many especially the masses is now been shattered by your inappropriate policy called " university education" . This policy have made many intelligent youths to withdrew themselves voluntarily from the four walls of the Ivory Tower because they cannot afford to pay the skyrocketed registration and accommodation fees and scholarship given by states is inadequate.
Remember during your time you enjoyed free education right from the primary school to the university level some of you were even taken abroad eve for your first degree at public expense. Why is it that you don't want to emulate this noble legacy? Remember most of you are fro a less privilege background then, but those worthy political class then do all they can to give you qualitative education irrespective of your tribe, socio-economic condition. Now why do you decide to treat those underprivileged students otherwise?
You should also know that no government or nation can survive both economically and politically especially in this century which is termed as the century of knowledge if it treat education as an liability rather than an asset. The state of our education especially at the primary and secondary level public ones in particular is very pathetic, no qualified teachers, no good class rooms, no furniture's and no laboratory equipment. It is disheartening to learnt that you make the sons of the less privilege thugs while you sent your sons and daughters abroad to ( American or British ) universities laying a solid foundation for their future.
SECURITY SITUATION
Since May 29th, 1999 when democracy unfolded before our very eyes, the number of peoples that lost their dear lives is uncountable. We witness volumes of ethnic, religion and political crisis unparallel in the history of the nation. These choose and anarchy occurred virtually in most of our cities and rural areas namely; Kaduna mayhem, Nassarawa crisis, Kontagora crisis just to mention but a few. Nowadays in Nigeria human lives can be dispatched at will, it was believed that most of these crisis was instigated by some of you as a divide and rule tactics to achieve your selfish interest.
STATE OF PENSIONERS
It is a shame for you in a country like Nigeria with huge oil revenue at its disposal cannot pay it's pensioners both military and civilian that served meritoriously some for three decades. State pensioners with federal share are not receiving their pension since June 2002. One need not to go far to cite an example this writers father who served this country meritoriously in civil capacity for over three decades 33 years to be precise is not receiving his pension (federal share) and there are thousands across the country. This action of yours against those that served this country meritoriously who even refused to loot the treasury even when opportunities are there is shameful dangerous and condemnable.
No one can blind us to the fact of this so-called democratic government's high handedness and insensibility to the flight of the common man. I still want to caution you about the pensioners, fear God about their condition and your attitudes toward them. Come to think of it most of those pensioners whom you denied what is due for them they have children that they send to school and have to pay school fees as you pay, some has to pay even house rent because they don't owned one ( neither in Abuja nor else where ) because they did not loot the treasury all these coupled with the basic necessities of life like feeding and clothing is not easy considering the present economic situation which is due to inappropriate and unrealistic economic policies. If I may ask ; if you or your father is treated in like manner how would you feel? Though some of you have concern to the flight of these pensioners and other ordinary Nigerians but they are few.
Sir(s) remember that one day you will retire fro active politics or service and how would you feel if your pension is denied? If you think you need no pension after retirement because you have accumulated enough ill-gotten wealth, have fat account in Europe, investment in and outside the country including shares in reputable companies and assets especially landed properties in Abuja and else where in the country, have dozens of commercial and private flashy cars for your luxury so on and so forth. Sir(s) If you think so, you are wrong and I repeat you are wrong, this because keeping loot is as difficult as keeping water in a basket ill gotten wealth does not last; neither will it protect you from what God has decreed.
PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT
" Idle mind is a devils workshop" say goes a saying. Nowadays our intelligent youths roam the street of our state capitals because they could not secure any job and cannot further their education because they don't have the financial requirement for acquiring western education up to degree level. It is dis heartening that those that have endeavor to secured admission were now victims of university education, they left the Ivory Tower unceremoniously because they cannot afford to pay the skyrocketed registration and accommodation fees and no one come to their aid even the scholarships given by state government is totally inadequate.
It is disturbing to learnt that thousands of our graduates that participates in the NYSC programme every year ends finds no work to do. Unfortunately some opt for robbery and thuggery as a means of survival is a pity. It is not only alarming and disturbing but also disheartening now that our youths across the country especially the uneducated and underprivileged ones are now viable tools for heinous crimes like hired assassins thuggery in the hands of some of you (political class) This is while you sent your sons and daughters abroad busy learning laying solid foundation for their future.
It is disturbing that despite the cry for unemployment in the country, this government of which you are a part makes it intention to downsized or rather retrench 40% of it's work force. CBN has since downsized it's work force so also NNPC has announced the sack of 2,355 workers. It is unfortunate that this retrenchment is taking place in the federal, state and local government. Nowadays in Nigeria your section or ethnic group and more importantly your political affiliation determines what you get or more precisely what you did not get.
UNCERTAINTIES OF 2007 AND YOUR INORDINATE AMBITION.
Sir(s) I wish to draw your attention to some realities as regards 2007 which you are all looking forward eagerly. Sir (s) 2007 may be unrealistic who knows what will happen tomorrow, any thing can happen even death can come over night for death is a reality from which no one however influential or powerful will escape and it draws nearer everyday, every hour, every minute and every second. Therefore, 2007 is uncertain this is the sad truth.
Some of you have already started campaign for 2007 elections, machineries have been put in place state, local and even ward campaign co-coordinators have been appointed and meeting is going on now and then on how to win in the next election. All these is done when Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty. Nowadays most Nigerians have no access to potable water supply, power supply health care delivery while their children have no access to qualitative education and their meal schedules are 0-0-1 or 0-1-0 at best 0-1-1 all these as a result of your bad policies and inordinate ambition for power.
Certainly, Nigerians are wallowing in abject poverty why not put smile to the faces of ordinary Nigerians instead of throwing money left, right and center. Remember the power you are all seeking for is transient and evanescent and the price of time is not in it's quantity, but its quality.
CONCLUSION.
It is disturbing to learnt that there is no time Nigeria has become richer than now and there is no tie Nigerians suffer than now. Nowadays most Nigerians cannot afford the three square meal while you become richer and richer and approves fabulously over bloated salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for yourselves.
You should not behave niggardly because you control enormous resources this because whatever is in your possession is a trust from God. You should also bear in mind that one day your lives should come to an end and present yourselves before the divine court of justice where misrepresentation, deception, order from the above would be of no avail and where your future would be decided with complete impartiality and justice.
Sir(s) we will no longer tolerate any selfish order or political gimmicks from you and will not hesitate to tell the truth though unpleasant to your eyes. Spade must be call a spade. You must be reminded that if telling the truth fails or proves abortive. Certainly one thing cannot fail, that is the call for divine intervention as the only panacea to the present leadership problem. Certainly God would not fail the prayers of the wronged. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) condemned the exploitation of the weak and warned; " Fear the prayers of the wronged, for there is no veil between him and Allah"
Sir(s) whether the contents of this open letter disturbs you and your loyalist bear it in mind that I do not regret saying this because it is truly how I feel and God the most powerful is sufficient for me.
May God guide us all to the right path. Ameen.
Yours faithfully,
Ali Alhaji Ibrahim, P.O Box 219, Lawan Bukar Junction, Maiduguri, Borno State. |