IBADAN STAMPEDE: The Insolence of Office and the Reign of Hunger and Poverty in Nigeria By Bababo Ikuemonisan

I don't know if it's just me, but writing about Nigeria and the true realities that stare at us daily as a people is a difficult task. Over the years, I have come to realize that aside from academic publishers, the group of people who find it easier to write or talk about Nigeria and our realities are politicians and political criminals. Why? Because they lie about the sad realities. They paint a picture of a blissful people, a happy country with constant power supply, a booming economy, plenty of jobs created by a working government that constantly empowers the youth, reduces poverty, and strengthens the naira against the dollar.

Thieves in government are always ecstatic to talk about Nigeria, conveniently lacing their narratives with heavy doses of lies - from the Presidency to the state governments and the 774 local government chairmen. These are a bunch of convenient liars, alienated from the plights and realities of everyday Nigerians.

The worst of these liars are the so-called last hope of society - the exalted wigs and gowns. The judges - they have, in the past, handed mandates via tribunal judgments to more criminal elites, freeing politicians who stole billions while sending poor, hungry, and helpless people to prison for stealing loaves of bread in the dark corners of the Southwest, the polluted creeks in the South-South, the busy markets in the East, and the shops next to public latrines in the North.P

People die daily in Nigeria as a result of hunger. Many more who could have been alive are dead because self-aggrandizing political elites, through cruel policies and inhumane governance, have impoverished them. They have deliberately weaponized poverty to keep the poor under control. Today, countless poor people are dying of hunger, yet the rich elites still lie about the realities in the country.

For context, it was reported yesterday that the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Naomi Ogunwusi, organized a Food Bank/Christmas Fun Fair for 5,000 children aged 0–13 in Ibadan, Oyo State. But to her greatest surprise and the shock of the world, hundreds of thousands of children and adults stormed the open venue for free food, leading to congestion and a stampede that left at least 20 people dead and many injured. That’s how serious hunger and poverty are in Nigeria, yet our irresponsible politicians - irresponsible fathers, mothers, uncles, and aunts pretend as though they don’t know.

Earlier today while reading the Ibadan Stampede online, I learned of another report about a student who starved to death. I was broken. The deceased couldn’t even afford a cup of garri to stay alive. Meanwhile, almost all schools in Nigeria charge over ₦100,000 as tuition fees. Imagine what parents and guardians go through to pay these fees, provide accommodation, food, and transportation for their wards, yet those elected to serve are doing little to nothing to address the plethora of problems in the country (poor minimum wages, unemployment, skyrocketing inflation, heavy taxation, hunger, poverty, corruption, and more). May it not be well with any leader who turns a blind eye to the plights of Nigerians while stealing from the collective patrimony. 

Three days ago, I heard another sad report of a hungry boy in Osun State who stole a chicken and was quickly sentenced to prison. A boy was sentenced to prison for stealing a chicken, yet many politicians who stole billions are walking free and enjoying their loot. May Aiyelala deal with those leaders who loot the collective patrimony while citizens languish in hunger, poverty, and joblessness.

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, was alleged by the EFCC to have stolen ₦80.2 billion. Before his tenure ended, he reportedly transferred ₦1.1 billion from the state’s account into a school account in Abuja for his children’s fees. The school shamefully returned the money, but Yahaya Bello remained unbothered. His alleged 8.2billion naira case dragged on in court, and every time he appeared, he walked in with pride. Perhaps like someone who knows he had stolen enough to last ten lifetimes. In the end, the court granted him bail for ₦500 million - an amount that seemed like a mere fraction of his alleged loot. Indeed, he got a good deal bah? Shameful. Such a national patriot. 500million bail to go home in peace and enjoy 8.2billion naira. 

In China, a public officer was recently executed for stealing public funds, a deterrent for those contemplating similar crimes. But in Nigeria, political criminals are celebrated as patriots and further empowered to steal with impunity. After enjoying their loot, they return years later to contest and win elections, ushering in a new era of looting and impoverishment. Meanwhile, the system protects these looters, but the police and EFCC never stop harassing innocent Nigerians for wearing flashy or expensive clothes or for looking good, while turning a blind eye to the real criminals.

Is there a politician in Nigeria today who hasn’t stolen from the public treasury? Some may not have stolen directly, but corruption was perpetrated under their watch. The sad truth is that Nigerian politicians are not only mindless but soulless and devilish. They are aware of the hunger and poverty in the land, yet they turn a blind eye and watch people die.

It's just sad that Nigerian politicians are not only mindless, they are soulless and very devilish. They are aware of the hunger and poverty in the land, yet they turn blind eyes. Naturally, you would expect that if the leaders are this mean, the citizens would be meanier and ask that anyone who loot should be executed like it is done in China, South Korea, among others, but that's not the case. Sadly, the same Nigerians are the ones protecting and singing the praise of political criminals. 

As the hunger bites harder, I hope that the people will see through the light to realize that for any Nigerian who dies of hunger, poverty or lack of medical care or is out of school, a politician caught looting or that steal would/should be executed as enemy of the people, and his family prevented from ever holding public office. Unless, harsher laws are passed against looting and corruption of any kind, politicians will never stop stealing, hunger, poverty and underdevelopment will continue in the land. Nigeria as a country lack national creed. In fact, most times you can't help but think that Nigeria is cursed with thieving leaders, who are altogether soulless, inept and lacks passion for the State and the people.

There's no how you look at it, you can see the insolence of office and the reign of hunger and poverty in every state in Nigeria.

Consequent upon the realities in the land, I am hoping that government across the thirty-six states and the federal government would design special social welfare programmes for the poor, the civil servants, youths and aged in the festive period and in 2025 come up with a more honest and an all-encompassing social schemes for all citizens. Lest, the poor will one day clash with the rich and eat them raw.

Below is a list of 58 ex-governors who are currently or have previously faced investigations by EFCC, with alleged amounts in question, consist of:

Late Abubakar Audu (N10.966 bn),

TA Orji and sons (N551 bn)

Yahaya Bello (N80.2 bn)

Chimaroke Nnamani (N5. 3 bn)

Sullivan Chime (N450 million)

Kayode Fayemi (N4bn)

Ayo Fayose (N6.9 bn)

Abdullahi Adamu (N15bn)

Danjuma Goje (N5bn)

Aliyu Wamakko (N15 bn)

Sule Lamido (N1.35 bn)

Joshua Dariye (N1. 16 bn)

Timipre Sylva (N19.2 bn)

Saminu Turaki (N36bn)

Orji Uzor Kalu (N7. 6bn)

Bello Matawalle (N70 bn)

Lucky Igbinedion (N4. 5 bn)

Musa Kwakwanso (N10bn)

Peter Odili (N1000 bn)

Jolly Nyame (N1.64 bn)

James Ngilari (N167 m)

Abdulaziz Yari (N84 bn)

Godswill Akpabio (N100bn)

Abdul fatah Ahmed (N9 bn)

Ali Mode-Sheriff (N300bn)

Willie Obiano (N43 bn)

Ibrahim Dankwambo (N1. 3bn)

Darius Ishaku (N39bn)

Ramalan Yero (N700m)

Achike Udenwa (N350m)

Rochas Okorocha (N10. 8bn)

James Ibori (N40 bn),

DSP Alamieyeseigha (N2.655bn)

Gabriel Suswam (N3. 111bn)

Samuel Orton (N107bn)

Murtala Nyako (N29bn)

Rashid Ladoja (4.7bn)

Christopher Alao-Akala (N11. 5 bn)

Abdulkadir Kure (N600m)

Babangida Aliyu (N4bn)

Abubakar Audu (N10bn)

Idris Wada (N500m)

Ibrahim Shekarau (N950m)

Adamu Aliero (N10bn)

Usman Dakingari and wife (N5. 8bn)

Attahiru Bafarawa N19. 6bn)

Jonah Jang (N6. 3bn)

Aliyu Doma (N8bn)

Tanko Al’Makura (N4bn)

Boni Haruna (N93bn)

Bindow Jibrila (N62bn)

Adamu Muazu (13bn)

Isa Yuguda N212bn)

Mohammed Abubakar (N8. 5bn).