Failure of the political class

Under the President Bola Tinubu administration, the obvious degeneration of moral ethos in virtually every aspect of our lives is symptomatic of the failure of the political class.

In 1979, when the Fourth Republic started with the return of power from the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo military regime to the newly elected Shehu Shagari administration, things were much better across the social, economic, religious and political spectrum.

If we compare what is happening today to the environment in 1979, it is clearly a paradise lost. Today, we are contending with the worst kind of terrorism, religious bigotry, ethnic conflicts, corruption, a youth crisis arising from frustration and unemployment, capped by the Japa syndrome, rogue gospel ministries, extremist Muslim preachers, the Sharia penal code, cruel and insensitive political actors, a governing elite seeking only their own interests, Biafran agitation that benefits only its wicked and nihilistic promoters, rogue civil society and human rights campaigners who do not care for the masses and a host of other evils that were completely absent in 1979.

The question is, how did we get here, and how can we get out of this mess? None of the frontline contenders in this election cycle, including the incumbents, has come up with the kind of revolutionary ideas that can pull this country out of the ditch.

Sadly, our youth, the hope and leaders of tomorrow who are supposed to lead the way, are even more confused and helpless than the failed politicians currently in power or those in the game of taking power.

Nigerian youth remain preoccupied with frivolities, as evidenced by their social media engagements, which are focused on peddling fake news, promoting nudity, prostitution, tribal divisions, rumours and the likes. Meanwhile, their counterparts in China, India, and West Asia are leading innovation, developing new technologies, driving the AI revolution, advancing cybersecurity and fintech and making breakthroughs across several frontiers of learning and investment.

This is Nigeria’s current dilemma and the existential challenge that requires bold, wise and patriotic leadership to address.

•Ayodeji, marriage counsellor, author, media expert and philosopher, can be reached on 09059243004; WhatsApp only