Tag Archives: corruption
Bennet Omeke – Again You Can’t Deceive Me…
Here, we see two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) begging some aggrieved members not to leave. They are not just begging, they are doing so with wrapped gift packages.
The kneeling members, from all indications, look like President Muhammadu Buhari and the national chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomole.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this cartoon are the backpacks and travel bags of the defecting members (Senators and Representatives). It is possible those bags are filled with loots.
Adeeko Olusegun – Masses after 8 Years
This cartoon, as one would expect, is funny. It is also tragic. Funny because it reveals how gullible Nigerian masses are. Tragic because it highlights the parasitic relationship between the masses and politicians in the country. Overall, the cartoon narrates an 8-year long story (“8 years” implies two terms in office.).
First, there is a red-capped man holding a bike pump that is inserted in the mouth of a tiny politician. This is the first encounter between both parties (the masses and politicians) and it reveals the dynamics of power relation between them. At the initial encounter, the masses seem to wield more power. This is probably the time when politicians canvass for votes. The choice of having a the man signifying the masses put on a red cap is also loaded with meanings. For one, it signifies respect. In some parts of Nigeria, only respected and highly important persons are traditionally permitted to use a red cap.
One can also see the progression of the politician from a tiny man to a big man.
The last picture in the cartoon is a reversal of the first. After 8 years, the politician has become huge – with a protruding belly (probably as a result of embezzling public wealth). The once respected man has also become a laughing stock, a mumu (Nigerian pidgin English word which means a dunce). Essentially, this cartoon reveals how deceptive Nigerian politicians are and how far they are willing to go to get what they want. Even the most respected individuals in the society become preys to their deceptions.
Adeeko Olusegun – N1.4 Trillion Voted for Federal Roads in 16 Years
Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. Since 2002, an estimated 1.4 trillion Naira have been budgeted for construction, repair, and maintenance of federal roads. Ironically, Nigerian roads are not safe. This piece is a commentary on the reality of unsafe, horrible roads and the apathy of Nigerian leaders (towards the horrible state of roads in the country).
In the cartoon, there is a feasting pot-bellied, obese, apathetic, red-capped man who seems to represents Nigerian leaders. There is also a shirtless barefooted man looking towards and questioning the seated leader while also pointing to two dark (signifying depth) potholes. Unfortunately, the shirtless man is not getting any attention.
In addition, there is a large deep hole that a biker already crashed into. Perhaps, this is used to show that Nigerian roads are not safe for bikers and motorists alike. There is also an image of a helpless bystander lamenting and shocked by the accidents on the roads.
The irony behind this cartoon is that as the 2019 elections draw nearer, many politicians have, again, started making promises that they would provide “good and motorable” roads for Nigerians.
