As much as the citizens may try, they can never have a perfect country. All they can do, generationally and intergenerationally, is to strive for progress no matter how small or slow that might be. Hence, in many societies around the world, successive generations are cultured and socialised to do the very best they can so as to avoid stagnation, regression or a break-up.Related to the aforesaid idea is the fact that the citizens deserve a responsive and responsible government that’s keen on the rule of law, safeguards national security, and promotes the people’s welfare.

To this end, therefore, government cannot be for the few, but for all. And the people themselves must not be complicit in debasing the state, be idle or indifferent and hoping that their leaders will always have their best interest at heart.

To this end, it is expected that citizens must be involved and vigilant in terms of how their country is administered. Otherwise, they are likely to end up with what I call the “Nigerian condition:” A country where governance has been perverted and where, since 1999 at least, government and governance have become a freak show, an aberration and abomination.

For 53 long years, governance has been a challenge in the country. For 53 long years, the Nigerian ruling class has been making the same promises that our pre-independence leaders made. Except for cosmetic changes here and there  Nigeria has not made much progress. Fifty-three years ago, much of the Arab world was nothing but a desert. And back then, much of Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Hong Kong were not that different from Nigeria.

To be sure, things were not always this bad. In my formative years, for instance, the availability of and access to quality education and medical care were not this limited. And the vast majority of those who went overseas for education or sightseeing returned home. Sure there were challenges and miscalculations, still, there was this pervasive hope that things would get better. There was this light-at-the-tunnel mentality. Across the world, it was estimated that by the end of the 20th century, Nigeria would, in both the economic and political senses, be in the same class as today’s Asian Tigers. Available data pointed to and validated this optimism. Something else: We were not this complacent, fatalistic, gullible and ruinous. Sure, there were the social lepers and the political urchins and the criminally-minded; but it wasn’t this bad, this terrible!

In essence, Nigeria was a more decent, more hopeful, and more vibrant country. Nigeria roamed the Black landscapes much the same way members of the genus Panthera  the leopard, tiger, jaguar, and lion  roamed the Savannah and elsewhere. How intolerable life would be if these big cats are defanged and declawed? That’s Nigeria for you.

But we didn’t get here and get to be so overnight. It took a long time coming to be this decadent, hopeless, and orphaned state. Our leaders ruined it all. And so did the people.

One set of the people are indifferent; while the other set acquiesces to the damage being done. And of course there is a third set that is just too happy to engage and promote all sorts of iniquities and damage. Whatever has become of our country cannot and should not be blamed squarely on the shoulders of our leaders. We the people are also guilty of bad behaviour and bad attitude  attitude and behaviour that are self-immolating and self-defeating. You and I and everyone else contributed and continue to contribute to the destruction of Nigeria in ways many may not grasp or be conscious of. A few examples will suffice.

First, many of us kowtow before the same people that steal from us  instead of naming and shaming, ostracising and or stoning them. Yes, stoning! While I believe in the rule of law, I ask you this: When was the last time any significant thief was arrested and prosecuted and sent to several decades of imprisonment instead of a gentle slap-on-the-wrist?

Second, Nigerians are grateful for inconsequential achievements. We fall over ourselves in order to praise governors and presidents over superficial accomplishments. In spite of the sufferings and stealing and malfeasances, you hear phrases such as: “Our governor is performing” or “The President is trying.” Heck, performing what? And what does “trying” mean? When roads are falling apart within two years of construction, and where there are no first class hospitals and clinics? Why do we praise mediocrity and absurdities? And why do we make excuses for failed and failing leaders?

My fellow Nigerians, please do not make excuses for our leaders. Never! It’s been 13 years of civilian dispensation: thirteen years of petty accomplishments, of waste and excesses and frivolities. Ask your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents: This is the worst this country has been since 1914. I can think of no time during the colonial or post-colonial period when things were this bad.

It’s ironic that millions of gullible and passive Nigerians believe the outright lies being told to them by politicians. They believe the half-truths being told by religious leaders. They believe the midnight tales by ethnic bigots. Don’t! We must act! You have to raise your voice, or give voice to the voiceless. You have to fight for your human and civil rights. You cannot be passive. You cannot be indifferent. And you cannot be scared. And, don’t be docile. It is your right, your life, your resources, and your country. Nigeria, after all, is the only country we have. At the very least, we owe future generations a better country and a better world. How do we accomplish these if we are passive, gullible and scared?

And so I tell you these: (a) You must inform on your parents if they steal from the public treasury because robbery is robbery no matter who commits it; (b) you must engage in civil disobedience if the Police or members of the judiciary or parliament violate the law; (c) you must be an active member of the civil society so as to advance common causes; and (d) you must hold those who steal your vote accountable for crime against our constitution.

And finally, now or in the future, you must protest against dishonest, incompetent and corruption-enabling leaders  whether or not they are from your part of the country.