The erosion of public trust

While the federal government appeals to citizens to make sacrifices in order to pull Nigeria out of its current mess, Nigerian trade unions are once again threatening a national strike.

Although Nigerian workers have genuine reasons to complain, and government has, as usual, failed to live up to its agreements, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) leaders are well advised not to bother calling for a national strike because they themselves have become totally discredited. By serially calling for, then abandoning, strike they negatively contribute to economic and political instability. Paradoxically even though they represent only a minority of working Nigerians, they have appointed themselves as the main political opposition leaders.

They are correct in asserting that the Tinubu administration continues living in denial. Claiming that everything is on course, denies the truth that the nation is on a downward spiral due to the adoption of totally inappropriate economic policies.

Skyrocketing foreign exchange rates, ever-increasing customs duties, unemployment of around 37 per cent and endless borrowing have combined to place the nation in a precarious situation which can only be ameliorated by an urgent and comprehensive change in policy.

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A national strike at this point in time will only worsen an already perilous situation. This administration’s lack of empathy and squandering of public funds for their personal comfort indicates their belief that their main objective in office is to ensure that they, their families and their friends, can be happy and enjoy the “dividends of democracy”.

It’s evident that despite their desperation to grab power at all costs, most Nigerian politicians possess no real leadership skills, no ability to galvanise people to patriotism and no knowledge of the real relationship that should exist between them and the public. Lamentably, the few principled and patriotic Nigerian politicians who believe it a duty to be useful, honourable, compassionate, and make some positive improvements to society rarely succeed at the polls.

The unbridled arrogance of election winners indicates their failure to understand that humility doesn’t mean they should think less of themselves, but rather that they should think of themselves less! Enamoured with their perks of office, they mistakenly believe that citizens must accept their incompetence until their term of office expires and that all those who criticise them are “sponsored by the opposition”.

This insultingly implies that Nigerians are not intelligent enough to know when their lives are getting worse as a result of unintelligent and poorly thought-out government policies.

In truth, Nigerians are tired of being told to suffer because of great plans for the future. Members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) should always bear in mind Henry Ford’s legendary quote that “You cannot build a reputation on what you are planning to do tomorrow!” Today is what is important, and at no time in the history of Nigeria has the economic divide between political officeholders and ordinary citizens been so wide. Nigerian political office holders earn the highest salaries for elected office holders anywhere in the world and their “in your face” opulent lifestyles while the majority of the populace suffers deprivation has alienated the public.

Union leaders correctly assert that all is not well and the situation has deteriorated to previously unimaginable low levels because the government is failing in its primary responsibilities. They are also correct in asserting that Nigerians deserve answers to questions such as “Is there any intelligent deeply thought-out sensible recovery plan? If so, then what is it?”

It is trite that plans can never succeed unless everyone involved is on board. Beneficial plans can only be successfully implemented when political leaders use intelligence and wisdom in their decision-making. Intelligence encompasses cognitive abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, and understanding complex ideas. It is the ability to learn, understand and apply information. Wisdom on the other hand involves judgment, perspective and the ability to see the bigger picture. It is the culmination of knowledge, life experience and an innate understanding of people and the world.

Wisdom isn’t just about knowing facts, it’s about having insight and understanding. While highly intelligent people understand intricate concepts, analyse situations properly, think critically, and suggest effective solutions to problems, wise people apply knowledge in a practical, beneficial and ethical manner. Nigeria suffers from far too much intelligence and far too little wisdom in governance!

 Although wisdom is often associated with age it’s also true that if people have been foolish all their lives and live to become old, they do not suddenly become wise, they simply become old fools! Nigeria’s foolishness in governance is exemplified by the fact that even as the nation borrows simply to pay salaries, political office holders ride in convoys with numerous luxury vehicles paid for by the public purse and budget humongous sums for their entertainment and unnecessary travels.

The inescapable truth is that while the majority of Nigerians live below the international poverty line, public funds are still being massively wasted or stolen. The erosion of public trust in civilian governments has led to widespread disillusionment with democracy in West Africa.

It is imperative that the democratically elected Nigerian government alters its ways before Nigerians begin to seriously question whether or not there are any benefits to democracy. There is a clear and present danger of the nation regressing into support for unelected, but compassionate leaders. The erosion of public trust in government should not mean an erosion of public trust in democracy.