Generator 21
The World's Magazine

“Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?”

BARACK OBAMA. 

One of the greatest tragedies facing Nigeria and the African continent is the abysmal absence of hope in the future of her peoples. This tragedy has been engendered by the reckless leadership styles of most African leaders. Calling them names besides rulers is in a charitable sense, an oceanic kindness..  Because the truth of the matter is that those who sit atop leadership pedestals in most African countries are nothing but ruthless dictators in democratic dance costumes.

Power is a matter of life and death in most African empires in this age of sweeping democratic winds. Yet, there are individuals and institutions who strongly believe in the redeemable qualities of the tragedy of modern African states. Some of these change makers and bringers are home grown, while some are rooted in other lands. And one of such bodies is the highly revered European Union.   

The European political group has since dispatched a team of impartial observers to observe the forthcoming elections in this country. Nigerians are impressed that this country with immense potentials for first world developments and advancements still counts in global political equations. Because to   bypass Nigeria, would amount to a sort of political and social miscalculation on the part of global policy makers and world watchers.

But again, the disaster of the elections in neighboring Ivory Coast has rapidly heightened the imperative for credible and affordable elections observation missions in Nigeria and other countries with volatile political temperaments.  To be candid, virtually all of Africa needs to be constantly observed, elections or not!

The need for observation is even greater because we all realize that leaders become ruthless only after they are firmly rooted in the stupendous comfort of political palaces and mansions. Their cold awareness of the vast and hidden comfort of politics makes if difficult, if not virtually impossible, to dislodge African leaders from offices.

A cursory glance will reveal, and rather with sad clarity; that from the north to the south, Africa is fairing badly in true democratic indicators. In this sad light, we therefore must commend the leaders at the European Union headquarters for acting with courage and candor in sending a high-powered team of election observers to Nigeria.