At a tribute event for Nelson Mandela in Lagos,
Mr. Amaechi said Nigerians have not shown
enough aggression or resistance against stealing
by political office holders.
Citing recent examples, including the Fuel
subsidy removal and the theft of $50billion, the
Governor said stealing is good, when the people
don’t fight back.
“Even the musicians, you’re singing about us,
the leaders? If you see a thief and you allow
him to be stealing, what do you do? You have
stoned nobody that’s why we are stealing. Who
have you stoned? We came out and you started
dancing, the oil subsidy, we told you they stole
N2.3trillion, what did you do? Instead you’re
protesting. The oil subsidy that is not reaching
the poor, few individuals are going away with
the money, you have done nothing, you are
mourning Madiba, 95 years.
It’s good to steal if you can’t fight back. You
have heard about $50billion, nobody is talking,
we are debating whether can he talk to the
president like that. In some countries people will
be on the street, until they return that money. $
50billion is N8trillion, it will change Nigeria. Me I
want to steal only $1billion, let them bring it.”
His statements strike very close to home among
a generation that is often content to do nothing
more than on-line activism.
Why, as a people, do we feel so helpless in the
face of abuse and corruption?
Are we merely ignorant or afraid?
When will we face the reality of the cost we will
have to pay to make this country better?
And when will we be willing to pay it?
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