Side Talk

Bello Halliru Mohammed

By Jacinta Fidelis

This week on side talk we continue with our series of extracts from the national stage, where political actors have vowed to sustain the thrill. First, side talk accesses the current campaign strategy of our dear political actors, where every aspirant now has such faithful supporters who go as far as buying tickets for their choice of men.

Then our next story takes a look at the reported attributes of the biggest campaign manager in recent times. Side talk gathers that the man at the helm of the leader’s campaign is himself neck dip in the crime of corruption. While we access the viability of this report, we wonder whether the game of politics as played in Nigeria is not a game for money lovers, as opposed to the intent of the said report.

Then our third story tried to reiterate the focus of the BBOG campaign. Two weeks after much acclaimed promise was made, the story is still the same. Worst still; the security officers have formed part of those on the missing list.  Side talk wonders whether the promises made would be fulfilled in this generation or in the one to come.

 Between allegiance and the purchase of forms

There is certainly nothing wrong with the desire to indicate one form of allegiance or the other, to a group leader for certain reasons. Nonetheless when the show of loyalty becomes tailored along a single train, consisting basically of the same form of action, then something is amiss. In fact a keen observer may be quick to conclude that the comic point of the drama is just at hand.

Thus when on side talk, we saw one after the other, interesting shows of loyalty or allegiance as portrayed by party members for their leaders vying political positions, we thought it wise to bring the story to the spot light.

Our sources reveal that it all began like a mellow drama, a group of loyalist felt they believed in one party leader and bought a nomination form for him. Then like wild fire, the culture spread through all the ‘parties that be’, in the country. Subsequently all the aspirants for the post that matter have loyalists buying the forms for them.

The claim according to the story is that these loyalists are so pleased with their leaders that they want them back at all cost. In fact, they are prepared, as we hear, to go ahead with other campaign expenses aside buying the nomination forms.

These loyalists are so financially buoyant that they have put together the bits and pieces of their thousands to buy forms for the same set of people hoarding the billions trapped in the national treasury

The economic effects of unemployment, as caused by ineffective polices, unnecessary political rivalry and insurgency, among others  have not detracted the focus of these supporters from putting scenes after plots to bring this latest drama before our very eyes.

At side talk we analyses the political as well, as economic effect of the latest scenario, and conclude that if the scenes carry the weight of the story, then two things can be deduced: that these set of people believed to be responsible for the nations woes, may not in fact be the only actors on stage. They may indeed have had, as is been portrayed, the support of invincible lots whose benefits have just recently been converted to yet another investment.

The effect of which may be that the larger community hoping for better Nigeria may only end up waking from one nightmare to the other  

Allegations of corruption; what fruit is derivable from this campaign leader

Then in our next report we take a look at the recent charges brought before the pages of Nigeria’s newspapers against the man at the helm of the incumbent’s campaign. According to the story the man to head the declaration slated for the 11^th of November is said to have been indicted in a foreign country with allegations of corruption.

In fact we are told that he was only allowed to come home and face his country’s judgment, as a mark of respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Low and behold, the man of many charges is put before his fellow countrymen as the one who would lead the tussle for the next biggest election from the biggest party in the country.

The report made credible effort to disrepute the man, describing him as one, neck deep in the crime of corruption.

While this may not be out of place to be indicated by a media organisation, the need to access the crime of corruption as enshrined in the country’s political bloodstream becomes inevitable.

While it may be true that this campaign leader was accused of involvement in corrupt practices; the game of politics as played in Nigeria is a game for a kind; a set of people, different in their looks, but similar in their attributes.

Another week without the girls

This story was picked for the task it gave fellow colleagues reporting security issues in the country. Our sources gather that the chain of reporters planned security pages leaving a space in case of any news regarding the much expected return of the missing girls. Yet minutes ran into hours and even days, without any sign of true hope.

Instead; the news of further abductions of security officers has only heightened the irony in the reported promise.

While we watch the various campaigns for the girl’s return, we wonder whether the long awaited return will be experienced in our time or in time to come.