For the past one week, Nigerian governors have received baptism of fire from youths across the country. One of the youths was overheard saying the Nigerian government messed with the wrong generation.
Nigerian leaders, including presidents, governors, senators ,members of the House of the Representatives and state lawmakers have never seen it in this fashion. The youths took them by storm and the wave overwhelmed all of them. The end result was invitation of police and soldiers to frustrate the youths.
Yes, the Nigerian leaders have, over the years, taken the youths for granted and the youths had to unleash their accumulated annoyance on the Nigerian governors. It is unthinkable that Nigerians are hungry whereas foods donated by good spirited Nigerians are locked up in different places across the country.
One cannot tell how the information went round and how they were able to discover all the warehouses where the foods were stored. The governors were all taken back how the youths were able to discover all the warehouses housing the foods. The youths bursted all the warehouses and the foods were rolled out and the rush to cart away with the food began.
For me, I wouldn’t call it looting. The foods were meant for them but the governors hoarded the foods, maybe waiting to be used for campaigns or to be converted to relief materials to people who may be affected by one natural disaster or the other. The foods were not meant for any other event but to be distributed to the people across the country.
Some governors and their media managers made futile efforts to convince people of their objectives but they could not convince the ordinary Nigerians. Some said COVID-19 foods have been shared. They are failed leaders. Leaders without vision and plans for their people. The youths have exposed their selfish and thievery tendencies.
They actually messed up with the wrong generation. The governors forum has denied hoarding the foods. It is a more futile effort. They have lost credibility. They must wake up to the present reality. Nigerians need transparency and accountability in governance.
Nigerians need leaders who will see the welfare of their people as top priority and not their personal, selfish and family welfare at the detriment of the generality of Nigerians. Our governors must change. Nigerian leaders must realise that it is no more business as usual.
What is meant for the masses must of necessity be given to them. The food was meant for the masses during the COVID-19 period and not to be hoarded for any other ulterior or whatever motive. It is a disgrace to the Nigerian governors. They must learn never again to do play such game on Nigerians.
Their defense is a failed attempt to salvage already batttered image. Nigerians need leaders who are accountable, transparent, fair and give priority to their people. The governors were voted to serve the people and not to allow hunger kill their people while they are living in affluence and luxury.
