In the midst of the “End Bad Governance” protest, Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio made a profoundly disturbing and reprehensible comment that exposed his apparent sadistic tendencies towards Nigerians. His recent remarks revealed a shocking disregard for the suffering of the very people he is supposed to serve, reflecting a deep-seated insensitivity and lack of empathy. Such statements not only highlight his callousness but also underscore a broader issue of governance in Nigeria, where leaders often display a troubling indifference to the struggles faced by their citizens.
Senator Akpabio, who distinguished himself with exceptional prowess and effectiveness during his tenure as governor of Akwa-Ibom State, allegedly remarked in the buildup to the “End Bad Governance” protest that while the protesting youths could continue their demonstrations, he and others loyal to President Bola Tinubu would keep eating from the government.
According to The Sun newspaper, the comment prompted Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism in Niger State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, to call for Akpabio’s resignation due to the offensive nature of the remark. Senator Godswill Akpabio’s comment is seen as dismissive of the protesters’ concerns and highlights his perceived insensitivity. The reaction from Vatsa, calling for Akpabio’s resignation, underscores the seriousness with which this comment was viewed.
The Senate President, seemingly overwhelmed with the power of his exalted office, also recently made derogatory comments about Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. His reference to a nightclub while addressing the distinguished Senator was offensive and demeaning towards women, according to netizens. The statement suggests that Akpabio’s comments reflect a lack of respect for women. Even though he has profusely apologised for the unguarded utterances, he is admonished to be more restrained and respectful when addressing female colleagues in the Red Chamber.
The troubling reality is that some political leaders in Nigeria, including Akpabio, exhibit behaviours that can be described as sadistic — deriving a troubling sense of pleasure from causing distress or suffering to the electorate. This behaviour is exacerbated by their unguarded and provocative comments, which seem designed to further inflame and alienate the people. Intrinsically, the Nigerian populace appears to possess a masochistic tolerance, rarely reacting with the necessary outrage to the offensive remarks or actions of these leaders. This passive acceptance allows for repetitive administrative failure, ineffective governance, and poor performance, as complacent citizens fail to hold their leaders accountable for their failures.
This paradox reflects a situation where political elites revel in their power and enjoy inflicting suffering, while voters who support them endure this suffering with a perplexing resignation. Despite having the opportunity to effect change through elections, many Nigerians continue to support leaders who exploit and neglect them. This dynamic perpetuates a cycle of poor governance and stagnation, as the electorate remains passive and unchallenging.
Ironically, these leaders, despite the lack of tangible evidence of their effective stewardship or meaningful contributions, are still being held in high esteem and reverence by the electorate who remain unflinchingly loyal. This repeated electoral support for ineffective leaders reflects a deep-seated problem in Nigerian democracy — where the electorate’s apparent loyalty to corrupt or inept leaders allows for continued exploitation and mismanagement.
In Nigeria, politics, like religion, has become lucrative industries, with the people often viewed as commodities within these industries. Leaders in both sectors manipulate and leverage the masses for their benefit, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation. The electorate’s readiness to be exploited—despite the evident misuse of power and resources—underscores a broader issue of societal behaviour and political engagement.
Also, the judiciary and the electorate play critical roles in this paradox. The judiciary’s failure to address electoral injustices exacerbates the problem, while the electorate’s complacency in accepting subpar governance perpetuates a cycle of ineffective leadership. By not holding leaders accountable and failing to demand better governance, the people contribute to the persistence of poor performance and corruption.
For democracy to deliver its promised dividends, Nigerian citizens must become more proactive and reactive to poor governance. Rejecting superficial incentives and holding political leaders accountable for their actions are crucial steps towards meaningful change. Only by challenging the status quo and demanding genuine improvements can Nigeria hope to break the cycle of exploitation and achieve progress.
This perspective highlights the need for active citizen engagement in improving governance to institutionalise strong democratic principles that will enhance a better life for all and sundry.
Odaro, a columnist, lectures in the Department of Mass Communication, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi
