The Jonathanian

Or ignore this as we've ignored others. Let's keep talking about Atikus and El Rufais. We'll be back here in 2023 wondering why no progress.

SEEK YE FIRST A STRUCTURAL CHANGE, and then all other things will be added: light, health, education, jobs, welfare, accountability.

We need to build a society where leaders are part of the people; where high walls do not separate the state house from public view.

But the ability to command people does not make an armed robber a bank manager. Take the army away from Aso Rock: can they still perform?

Ruling is easy. You can rule anywhere when you have guns and an army. That's why one tiny armed robber can command everyone in a bank.

Ruling is changing monetary policies arbitrarily. Ruling is displacing 20,000 people from their homes to build a luxury estate for 500.

Governance is a dialogue between govt and the people. Governance is policy formulation based on the demands of voters. Governance is work.

Ruling is when a president calls executive meetings when likes, or doesn't visit victims of disasters, or approves massacres by the army.

Governance is not the same as ruling. Ruling is when a president travels for medical care and doesn't disclose his ailment to voters.

This is why people with some sense have been shouting restructuring since the 90s. We need to dissolve this gang and build a real society.

This is why, ultimately, from 1960 - 2015, it still doesn't matter who runs Nigeria as long as the patronage political system is the same.

Some prefer weak Dons because they get to be freely corrupt. Some prefer strong Dons because they get to 'show power'. The masses suffer.

But whether weak or strong Don, we the people always suffer the effects. We alternate between being robbed blind or being beaten to pulp.

Also, our hypothetical Don has to respect the established 'traditions'. You cannot stay long in power if you go about upsetting systems.

This Nigerian political system, like any gang, has its principles too: a Don cannot get TOO nasty or he's booted. Thus Buhari 84/Abacha 98.

So, we either get a weak 'Don' who cannot control corruption/misbehaviour or a strong 'Don' who rewards loyalists and kills or jails others.

Seeking a 'good' president for Nigeria is like seeking a peace-loving 'Don' to head a violent gang. The system just isn't designed for that.

The colonists designed Nigeria to be RULED with military help. The army perfected this idea. Anyone can rule Nigeria, no one can govern it.