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In Arabian legends, a genie is portrayed as a spirit trapped in a bottle or lamp, ready to grant the wishes of its summoner despite the confines of its imprisonment. Nigerians, faced with profound challenges, tap into their ingenuity and creativity, seeking ways to express their experiences. Recently, a new nickname has emerged for their president: “T-Pain.” This moniker reflects the nation’s frustrations, as the populace has endured hardships over the past 17 months, with suffering becoming a constant companion at all hours.
In an article titled “Conceptualizing Suffering and Pain,” Noelia Bueno-Gómez describes suffering as a deeply unpleasant experience impacting individuals on psychological and existential levels. This resonates with Nigerians who, under the current administration, grapple with severe poverty and uncertainty. The extent of their anguish is akin to a medical condition with no visible end.
But why “T-Pain”? Does this suggest that Nigerians view their leader as cruel? The past 17 months have indeed been fraught with distress. Masochism is characterized by deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, while sadism involves enjoying the suffering of others. By dubbing their president T-Pain, are Nigerians implying that he exhibits traits of a masochist or sadist?
The name T-Pain is borrowed from American musician Faheem Rashad Najm, born on September 30, 1984, in Tallahassee, Florida. His stage name, a play on “Tallahassee Pain,” serves as a reminder of the struggles he faced growing up in Tallahassee. Najm is renowned for popularizing the use of Auto-Tune in music, blending R&B and hip-hop styles throughout the 2000s. The association of T-Pain with the current president stems from the widespread suffering endured by the people under his administration, and notably, both names share a common initial.
Repeatedly, the president and his supporters have claimed they are miscast as sadists, asserting that true reformers often face criticism before being recognized for their contributions. However, there are instances of reformers in various nations who manage to alleviate the burdens of their citizens. Why then has this government adopted a reform model that seems to exacerbate the suffering of many? Is inflicting pain an inherent trait among the architects of this reform? This raises the question: how well do Nigerians really understand their president? Did they truly know T-Pain when they cast their votes for him?
Looking back, in May 1975, Olusegun Obasanjo, then Federal Commissioner for Works, took control of a US Embassy building that was intended for public use. Obasanjo’s grievances against American diplomacy were rooted in his earlier academic research that highlighted Nigeria’s struggle for adequate support from Britain. After numerous warnings to the US to vacate the premises, Obasanjo ordered the military to take over the building, resulting in a hasty exit for American diplomats.
Fast forward to November 20, 1999, and as a civilian president, Obasanjo led a military operation against the predominantly Ijaw town of Odi in Bayelsa State, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,000 civilians. This raises the question: did Nigerians overlook the signs when electing a leader with a history of dictatorial tendencies? A few years later, he ordered another military intervention in Zaki-Biam, resulting in hundreds of unarmed civilian deaths. To this day, no one has faced consequences for these atrocities.
Ultimately, this reflects a broader issue: Nigerians may share the blame for their circumstances. Their leadership struggles often stem from a collective inability to critically assess potential leaders. Much like how religious charlatans exploit ignorance, Nigerians have also fallen prey to political opportunists masquerading as leaders.
A notable instance occurred on October 13, 2000, when General Muhammadu Buhari visited Ibadan, expressing outrage over inter-ethnic conflicts between Fulani herders and local residents. His visit highlighted an ethnic favoritism that would later resurface when he was elected president in 2015, leading to a government criticized for prioritizing northern interests over others.
The trend continues with leaders like Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Yar’Adua, whose questionable traits should have raised red flags among voters. Yet, Nigerians proceeded to elect them, akin to a farmer planting crops in a squirrel-infested field and then lamenting the loss of his harvest. As the U.S. approaches the November elections, efforts are underway to scrutinize the character traits of candidates like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris that could impact the nation’s future.
Despite the persistent portrayal of a benevolent leader, those close to the president recognize a calculating nature in his political dealings. Known for his substantial generosity, many in Nigeria have benefited from his financial support, but these acts often serve his interests more than the public’s. It’s how T-Pain maneuvered through a challenging political landscape under Buhari to rise to the presidency.
In 2010, T-Pain reportedly gifted a gubernatorial candidate an overwhelming amount of cash, effectively buying loyalty. This kind of strategic generosity has led many to overlook the president’s shortcomings in favor of his charitable gestures. Over the last 17 months, while his inner circle may have reaped the rewards of his presidency, the average citizen has seen little tangible benefit from his governance.
Recently, the First Lady, T-Pain II, made headlines by pledging N1 billion at the inauguration of a hostel and a road project at Obafemi Awolowo University, while insisting that the current administration should not be blamed for Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges. Her statements have drawn criticism for being out of touch with the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. Her claim that the administration is still in its early stages and should not bear responsibility for the current crisis resonates with a broader pattern of disconnect among the ruling elite.
In parallel, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s remarks urging Nigerians to reduce car ownership while he presides over a lavishly wasteful Senate highlight the hypocrisy of political leaders amid economic hardship.
The person who coined the T-Pain nickname deserves recognition for its relevance, akin to critiques directed at other world leaders.
