Who is Who! Ghana or Nigeria?

Brethren! I might be wrong… but I think and believe citizens of both countries are more committed and loyal to their political parties than their country. In addition, for the average citizen government equals (=) the ruling political party and the interest of the state comes last. Party Ideology is meaningless; you join a party depending on your chances (making money).

We are friends, we are neighbours, and we love and often hate each other but quickly run to the other in times of need. We are soccer rivals, one winning 4 times the other 3 times equating the African champion who has won a record 7 times.

Yes! One is three times the size of the other; one is a long time oil exporter and the other a junior oil exporter with less quantity.

A friend recently asked what if something goes wrong politically in the bigger country. I simply told him that will be the worst to be heard from the largest Country in Africa but Congratulations to the incumbent President for conceding defeat as we would not have to bother much since there is calmness and no need to create refugee camps if there were to be protest that will lead to citizens fleeing to neighbouring countries.

They have both deported each other especially during economic crisis in the past decades and accused each other for their economic woes.

Citizens are alleged to be corrupt from the Carpenter, Mason, Labourer, Pastors, Governors, Parliamentarians, Centenarians and organizations are no exemption. The trend today is their citizens want to get rich at all cost and if possible in a quick manner without much sweat.

Less I forget others call it 419 and some say Sakawa. The small one can steal millions whereas the big brother can squander billions. You get nothing without bribing officials. You remain poor if you have no means of receiving bribes or stealing from others.

It stands to say you are the hero if you can bag more money from the public purse (steal) diplomatically! Party affiliation is not only by tribe but where your chances are high for making more gains often to the disadvantage of the masses.

When you drive a four wheel car, you are considered rich hence it is perceived that the best way of exhibiting your wealth is the car you use. A friend packed his car some kilometres away, why: because we might assume he is poor because he is not using a four wheel drive! Meanwhile I do not even own a bicycle, this is what I call (SMD) -Societal Mental Disability.

One of them runs a federal system with 36 states, the other a parliamentary system with 10 regions; however they all have a President who runs office for four years.

As history has it, they have both had coup d'états numerous times as well as military rulers coming back to rule as civilians. Both nations had their vice Presidents sworn in as Presidents during the sudden passing away of the sitting presidents.

They both understand democracy as a right to insult their president, HOWEVER see politics as means of becoming richer. The more communication skills you have, the more you can shout and the crafty you are; the better your chances. Being visionary or having the ability to serve the masses is no longer a prerequisite but how smart/cunning you are.

My friend who contested the village -/local authority elections and lost started addressing himself Honourable. I told him in the face my friend you are abusing the title but he got offended and said even board members are also carrying the title honourable. One social media commentator said the followers are as blind as the leaders.

In both countries ministries can be created overnight, one common thing they have is their Ministers and Governors are 24/7 on Radio and Television stations talking and one might think their jobs are executed at the stations. You sometimes wonder how a government appointee overnight becomes knowledgeable in fields they have no experience meanwhile there are experts and Technocrats who know better and can deliver on the job!

I was recently privileged to listen to a minister spoke to us at a gathering and could not make much sense with regards to the talk. It was like a constitutional lawyer becoming a medical expert overnight since there was no substance in the talk.

The most attractive profession today is becoming a pastor, as a child in my village, the pastors home was where the poor kids go to eat, today is exactly the very opposite. The poor are to provide for the men of God. The church has universities, which ordinary church members can’t afford.

Sincerely speaking, it is not a crime for a pastor to be rich, they have families, pay school fees and hospital bills. However, if one ask why a pastor could own a private jet at the expense of the poor, you are told Jesus was riding a donkey in his days. If you dare ask further questions you are labelled ANTI CHRIST.

We are teaching citizens to be lazy… pray all day long instead of working, and then blame Satan for all our sins and shortfalls. "Can someone ask Satan to go on a one week strike?"

Both countries have senior citizens who want to be president at all cost, one succeeded at the age 72 in the just ended elections in the most populous country on the Africa Continent, is this going to be same for the other one in the year 2016? Both countries are on record of incumbent civilian presidents losing elections to their Opponents.

Do you think the younger politician lost to the older one because of perceived corruption? This might not necessarily be the case but rather because he could not defeat BOKO HARAM. So could the younger one also be defeated if he is not able to conquer DUMSOR?

I remember sending a congratulation message to my friend on FB after the successful general elections, this is what he said “I am not much interested, they are all there to fill their pockets”. You are right… am also tired sleeping in the dark.

God Bless Ghana!

God Bless Nigeria!

Desmond John Beddy -/TopAfric Media Network