Nigerian Political Culture and Economic Development

Truly, the current Nigerians are living at the brink of historical events and transitions. More than ever before in Nigeria, the leadership and the citizenry are unsure of the political and economic future. If the current events are to be believed, then Nigeria needs a drastic intervenntion - perhaps from an external influence, to safely transcends her current dreadful experiences. The matter of insecurity, which used to be thought of among the low strata of the society, has suddenly become matters arising for all Nigerians, whether rich or poor, high or low, educated or illiterate. While meditating on this things, the latest woe that befell the residents of Nyanya in Abuja, just 10km away from the power seats of the country, clearly showed how lives are really not different - because as the incident caught the rich unawares, it all caught the poor. I saw how civil servants, security officers, learned men and women, business men and women, bread-winners of homes were cut-off from the earth at the prime of their lives; but instead of Nigerians seeing quick, impartial and focussed responses (not reactions) from the political leadership of the country - from the Presidency to the Honourable member of the House of Assembly, Nigerians began to see their leaders (implicitly) throwing word-bombs at each other. We really need a change! When I submitted that we need a change in Nigeria, I hope your heart was not on the leaders; instead, a change of political culture!