THE INACTION THAT IS KILLING US!

Nature knows no pause in progress and development, and attaches her curse on all inaction.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The Occupy Nigeria Protests was one of the rarest moments in Nigeria's history since her transition from military autocracy to a democracy. In over a decade of civilian rule characterized by a steady decline in our international image, severe infrastructural decay, political rascality, mindless looting of Nigera's common wealth by the political class, the emergence of an untouchable cabal, escalating crime and violence and the never-ending increase in the rate of unemployment and dismal standard of living; the masses arose against the oppressive policy of the PDP-led government.

For once, there was real fear in the heart of the government as they saw what could have easily turned into a peaceful revolution. Thus, they deployed the military to quell the rebellion while engaging in shameless subversion that finally watered down the demands of the aggrieved masses.

A year after the hullabaloo died down, the status quo remains. The promises made to effect positive changes to minimize the economic hardship its unsound policies have meted out to the populace have all but fizzled out. A year has gone by, yet there has not been a single conviction of the people who we have been led to believe are the illegal beneficiaries of our commonwealth. In fact, I dare say things have gotten progressively worse; the most recent being the unbelievable decision of the president to grant amnesty to Boko Haram; a terrorist group that is solely responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 innocent Nigeria and the wanton destruction of properties amounting to millions of Naira.

I am still yet to understand how this decision will change the anarchy the Northern part of Nigeria has become. Only a fool does the same thing every time and expects a different result. The shaky truce that kept the Niger Delta militants at bay since the amnesty organized by the late President Yar'Adua has finally given way with the killing of several policemen a few days ago in Bayelsa State of which MEND claimed responsibility after several threats to resume hostilities.

While I will never subscribe to engaging in violence to make a point except in extreme cases, it was apparent that the Niger Delta, being the primary source of Nigera's income suffered extreme neglect while oil exploration activities ravaged her habitat effectively killing off the means of livelihood of a large number of her residents. From that stand point, I couldn't fault the amnesty program on the ground that the militants had a "legitimate" cause for agitation. Sadly, the amnesty program has become another medium to siphon public funds. The Niger Delta is not much better off for the amnesty. The only beneficiaries seem to be the militant warlords and a few others. The root cause of the militancy is yet to be addressed.

With Boko Haram, it is an entirely different matter. Here is a terrorist group whose known agenda is to islamise Northern Nigeria; a mission that goes against the spirit of the Constitution. Aside from their independently fragmented structure which makes room for dialogue impossible, they seem to be only interested in causing carnage; they want to see Nigeria burn. How anyone can consider amnesty for this bloodthirsty bunch beggars belief. It is akin to America granting amnesty to Al Quaeda; an impossibility in today's world as we know it.

More troubling is the rippling effects that this singular thoughtless decision portends. In a nation where unemployment is at its peak, there has been no serious attempt to ameliorate it. What is to stop the emergence of more militant and terrorist groups as this is now the "legitimate" way to get the attention of the government?

I have no doubt that this PDP-led government seems determined to run Nigeria aground. However, we deserve an equal share in the blame. Yes! We all do. We, who stood by and watched elections get rigged; we, who refused to hold our legislative representatives accountable; we, who have stood by as Boko Haram has continued their wreck havoc on our fellow citizens and escalate the deep seated mistrust that lies as a result of our diversity. We seem to have forgotten the tenets of democracy; that it is a representative government. Even though, our laws are elitist, these "leaders" are answerable to us.

I am greatly saddened that the spirit that possessed Nigerians in January 2012 has dissipated. I am gripped with murderous rage each time I discuss with some PDP apologists who tell me elections are not won by noise-making on the social media but by bags of rice. As bitter as the pill may be, it is the truth. A clear evidence is the just concluded Council Elections in Abuja where PDP enjoyed a massive landslide winning five out of the six Councils.

I had thought that the Occupy Nigeria Protests had created a vibrant political awareness in us all. If there ever was a better way to send a message to this administration, it should have been a massive and total rejection of PDP in Abuja in the just concluded elections. Alas, we have all slithered back into our uncomfortable holes to suffer in silence and watch in dismay as mediocrity takes the center stage in Nigeria.

Fellow Nigerians, we are all we have. Its time to stop praying to God to deliver us from this mess. Our inactions put us where we are. Our inactions emboldened the men who lead us to treat us like slaves in our country. We must start over and get off our lazy arses and do something! The first step begins with the wait for 2015. A large percentage of us who yap about the misdeeds of this PDP-led government are not registered voters. Leave the social media and go out and register when the time comes and stand guard to protect your votes! Change will forever be a mirage if we sit and pray only as faith without works is nothing. The words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy are instructive;

"There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction."

I am @saymalcolm on twitter.