The Romans were famed for theatrics, and so made the theatre one of the focal points of roman society. Every town had the amphitheatre, where actors interpreted issues through plays and musicals. The theatre was the first form of organised mass communication tool ever known to human civilization. Through the theatre publics were informed, wrongly or rightly. Society also had the privilege of being entertained through this tool of performances. How does the theatre work or function? It has the players, they are subdivided into directors, producers, script writers- actors and of course the supporting cast. On the other side of the stage is the audience, whom while the play runs are engaged in one form of activity or the other.
In Nigeria, elections are given a pride of play akin to a theatre performance. Election dates, shadow societal dynamics to the extent that everything is politized at the expense of dealing with the issues which in fact give politics or politicking its relevance, thus the election date falls victim to the antics the professional politicians. When the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria was concluded, with the usual hot air of illegitimacy blown, which evaporated into the atmosphere as soon as it began, everyone simply went back to the trenches, of usual political catcalling, petty bullying and much more. However, policy, implementation, accountability and upholding the rule of law, have often been and on this occasion was deliberately left out of focus.
Between 2019 and 2021 the country has grappled with challenges and issues which predates the current administration of President Buhari, while the politicians continually play the to the gallery more concerned with the year 2023, which seemed still far ahead. Thinking that the politicians would have a mindset reset, in 2020 the youth population reeling from decades of institutionalised police brutality brought their agitation to the streets under the aegis of the Endsars protests. When the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) came into existence, its main mandate was to tackle a spike in armed robbery which had become rampant in many urban areas in the country.
Under democratic governments, the squad it would seem lost its way, keeping its eyes off the ball and left with primarily chasing shadows. Young citizens who constitute 70% of the population called the attention of government and society at large to call on the police to rein in on its bad eggs and stop the brutalization of innocent civilians. An opportunity of reforming a major institution of state, (the police) and making it more accountable in a democratic society was turned into a mere political slinging match. The energy and innovative expression of the youth were rubbished. They were called names and insulted while leaving the main issues under emphasis wholly untouched. The politicians said the youth wanted to take power by force and were being used, by whom to be precise? The political class was rattled but undaunted. The unlawful killings by the police were tamed but not extinguished.
During any major discourse 2023 is usually close to the surface, it played its part during the Endsars imbroglio. But why would 2023 be dragged into issues which require urgent attention? It is the usual way, but lazy culture of the political class whose contempt of accountability is well noted. For them and their hangers on, the fear of 2023 is the beginning of their wisdom. So, in retrospect the Endsars protest and its aftermath is the perfect script that politicians would and have gladly used to politick around ‘‘the golden year’’, while doing little or nothing to push for fundamental changes to spur development. There are other huge elephants in the country’s socio-political space which constantly put a strain on citizens in different parts of the country and in many cases impacting not so favourably on societal cohesion, yet the response to such matters is 2023.
If previous elections years have come and gone without the monumental changes anticipated realised, its just morally fair to let 2023 be, in peace. To justify 2023, the question which may spring to life is, is there any morality in politics? Politic is not the art of morality, they might add. It is probably apt then, to making a link with the Romans and their amphitheatre culture, as a stack reminded of the citizenry’s experience at the hands of politicians in Nigeria and their friends. We look forward to 2023.
©Copyright, Olugbenga Adebanjo
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