D’banj- The Cause of Nigeria’s Problems

In 2010 the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan decided to run for the office of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria. He was well aware of the public sentiment about Nigerians being more inclined to voting for a younger presidential candidate, due to continuous disappointments from the older predecessors, the belief that a more youthful president will recognize the Nigerian youths since they constitute about 70% of the nation’s populace. He (GEJ) then decided to make the Nigerian youths a major part of his presidential campaign and as such he beseeched the entertainment industry engaging as many as possible, in which case D’banj couldn’t be left out.

D’banj at the time was (and still is) Nigeria’s biggest artiste and therefore commanded a sizeable amount of followership, safe to say that the young man was very influential amongst the youths. D’banj just like every other artiste (Only he was the biggest) who decided to support the GEJ’s presidential ambition composed a campaign song for the cause, coined from one of his hit songs ‘Scapegoat’ which later became “I go vote for Goodluck Jonathan.” Being the entertainer he is, the song soon became a favourite, he however took the campaign further by interviewing the president with regards to his (GEJ) plans for the “Hopeless” Nigerian youths.

The end result, GEJ won the election and wasted no time before he began disappointing Nigerians, things however got out of hand when he removed the subsidy on petroleum products, thus causing an unprecedented increase in fuel price. Nigerians will have none of it and for the very first time in a long time (yes in a really long time) Nigerian youths seemed united (Or so it seemed) against the leadership of GEJ, “Occupy Nigeria” became the project, and for those in Lagos state, the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota was the venue, which soon became a music concert of some sort.  Celebrities and artistes who were in desperate need for some good PR showed up chanting anti government slogans and then began marketing their songs, as the case may be. While this was going on, some people noticed the absence of the Mo’hits crew especially the ‘Chief campaigner’ D’banj, then came the onslaught. They attacked him, calling him a traitor and a sell-out, but how did the whole “Occupy Nigeria” project end? GEJ reduced the fuel price to N97 and everybody went home.

The issue now is even up until this moment people are still on the D’banj and subsidy issue. Can someone please tell me what the heck D’banj has got to do with subsidy? What is the brother’s crime? That he left the UK to return to his motherland to become a successful Nigerian worthy enough of recognition by the president of his country? Or that he chose to exercise his right as a Nigerian in supporting a presidential candidate?  If he was paid for the campaign, was it not his effort and time? If D’banj had left his business through which he makes a living to be part of the charade at Ojota will fuel price be N65 today? Will Nigerians have good roads, portable water, constant power supply, quality education etc. We all know the answers.

D’banj I think is even more patriotic than most of us who claim to love Nigeria and yet do nothing but criticize those attempting (I am exempted because this is me doing my part); the young man is representing Nigeria in the best way and only way he knows how. He has won several international awards and is recognized as a talented and respected NIGERIAN artiste. We admire and associate with his success because he is a Nigerian. He promoted and sought to know the plans of his president for his fellow Nigerian youths; he is hard working and making an honest living. What have you (Critics) contributed, no matter how little to the growth of this nation? Yet you sit in the comfort of your homes or wherever condemning, criticizing and blaming people for self inflicted problems.

Those who voted for GEJ because of D’banj are just ignorant zombies who have no sense of direction. I have always said that Nigeria’s problem isn’t just leadership the followership is equally guilty. Nigerian youths are lazy and selfish, they are content with their current sufferings and joblessness (prove me wrong), which is why they will follow blindly anyone who will feed them for a day and leave them hungry for the rest of their days.

D’banj however you want to look at it should be commended for being an outstanding Nigerian youth who has and is still making his country proud, you people should do likewise, face the real issues and leave him alone!