Tinubu And His Undemocratic Political Ideology Of “I-Chop-You-Chop” By Samuel ‘Adalusan’ Isogun

In Nigeria, the word “chop”, which is generally a simplified word in pidgin English, is a popular street slang that denotes eating. When the pronouns “I” and “You” are added to the root word (chop) as a prefix and a suffix, it becomes the phrase “I-Chop-You-Chop”.

Essentially, this generative street word and slang can therefore be defined as the process of sharing a plate of food through a competitive game where every win gives the players the right to a spoon that is heavily laden with food and meat.

It is a fun concept and playful strategy that allows each participant to try their luck. However, while the winner tends to have the most wins, thereby getting the most food and meat, the loser is only entitled to a few wins for encouragement.

So when this concept of “I-chop-you-chop” is applied to a game of gambling, it becomes a powerful tool and a deceptive trick in the hands of a professional gambler against a rookie.

Meanwhile, the professional gambler does not usually play as an independent player, but with the support of some powerhouse ruffians in the crowd, who are occasionally his sponsors.

This is because while he is a master of the game, he sometimes lacks the funds to always play, as well as the power to influence a win. Whereas, the rookie is usually a very rich individual without an influence, who has a lot of money and valuables at his disposal.

Now, when the game between the two players commences, the professional will deliberately allow the rookie to win, to give him the impression that he can actually defeat him.

But as the game continues, the illusion of the rookie that he can win will only cost him an unfortunate loss. Interestingly, it would also become impossible for him to stop playing, because they have made him feel like a worthy competitor against the professional. A tactic that mainly gives him the hope that he can either recover his money or eventually defeat the professional. An expectation that is simply wool-gathering for the rookie, as he would only end up losing more than he has previously won. Yet, he would not stop playing against the professional…

Subsequently, whenever the rookie is allowed to win, the bet is substantially increased, which the professional always wins, which gives him the opportunity to deplete the entire finances of the rookie, to artfully swindle him of his money without a whiff of suspicion. It can even get as bad as using his valuables to bet or borrowing money to play against the professional.

With plenty of people in the crowd who cheer him on, and motivate him to keep playing, while assuring him that he can win the professional. But in reality, they are all part and parcel of the professional team, who are surreptitiously acting against his interest without his knowledge.

This tricky and deceptive technique employed by the professional gambler is how to encourage the rookie to keep gambling, so he doesn’t quit until he’s got nothing else to bet with, since he has been manipulated to believe he can win.

And until the rookie gets himself into a serious financial debt, the delusion does not easily end for him. Which is a continuous circle of massive losses with meagre gains as a result of immense gambling misadventures, with the tiny hope and possibility of overturning those misadventures.

Fundamentally, this same deceptive trick and underhanded strategy of “I-Chop-You-Chop”, which is applied in gambling, is synonymous with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s system of government, which is characterized by undemocratic values and kleptomaniac tendencies that are inherent to his criminal-minded nature.

And just like the professional gambler, he would not stop taking advantage of the rookie, as long as his deceptive trick is not exposed, thus providing him a successful result every time he plays against the rookie. And until the rookie is brought to a complete state of disillusionment, he would never stop playing and gambling heavily against the professional.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if the rookie is paired against another player from the crowd… As long as he is playing the game that is designed and has been mastered by those in the system, he can never succeed in their deceptive game of “I-Chop-You-Chop”.

Consequently, most Nigerians do not really understand the devastating impact of the undemocratic values of President Tinubu’s political ideology, and his kleptomania system of government. To put it in a general perspective with a less-complex simplification, it is like the opposite definition of democracy by the former president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, which can be inversely reworded as the government for the people, by the few and for the few.

This undemocratic ideology and kleptomania system of governance, which I metaphorically exemplify as the concept of “I Chop-You-Chop”, is a fraudulent and deceptive strategy used by elected government officials. Which gives them the political power and authorization to mismanage, steal, loot, launder and share public funds. An unethical process that is enabled by the systematically corrupt government, to the economic detriment of the masses and the social development of society at large.

Additionally, there are three groups of people that only benefit from this kind of iniquitous government. The first group are the mindless associates who mostly constitute politicians and bureaucrats. The second group are the blind loyalists made up of traditional rulers and religious fathers. The tertian groups which are the last on the list comprise the largest set of people in a specific order: namely the power-wielding political thugs/cultists, ethnic bigots, political party members, utterly ignorant followers and deluded supporters.

And for those who may not know, the last group of people are the most dangerous sets of people that can exist in any society, which the majority of well-meaning Nigerians are currently up against. They are not only satisfied with their miserable lives, but comfortable with the status quo, with or without social and economic benefits from their leaders and the exceptionally wicked ruling class.

Cumulatively, one of the economic disadvantages and democratic retrogression of this type of government is that only a few, particularly his mindless associates, blind loyalists, ignorant followers and deluded supporters can benefit from him according to their social influence and political hierarchy.

And what gives him absolute power and unquestionable authority over these few is his leadership position as the sole principal and political leader. Thus, empowering him as the only individual they depend on for their own “dividends” from his economic corruption practices and ill-gotten gains, after which he has secured enough for himself and his family. And if he doesn’t, there’s nothing for them. And for them to “chop”, and be able to demand their own share and percentage, they must ensure their access to the country’s “resources and wealth”, popularly referred to as “national cake”. A metaphor which represents the resources in the country.

Moreover, for them to continue to “chop”, they must also ensure his continuous hold on power, and do everything to help actualise his political ambition for their common interests.

Furthermore, it is noteworthy to remark that the worst kind of government in any democratic society is a government that is headed by a criminal. And not only is this kind of government inherently corrupt, but it creates a system of patronage, corruption and dependency. It also gives every other criminal the freedom, right and privilege to engage and perpetrate their criminal activities. Despotic criminals and dangerous individuals who can freely and confidently abuse power and constitutional law, without the fear of backlash and the legal consequences of their actions. This is because a thief cannot catch a thief or prevent another from stealing since they are both the perpetrators of illegal and criminal activities in society.

This is also why Nigerians should not expect any corrupt government officials in this government to be prosecuted by this administration. Because collectively, and altogether, these criminals who are empowered and controlled by a kleptocrat will continue to unite for a common goal: which is to cheat, oppress, intimidate, steal, extort, plunder and kill if necessary. And not only do they support each other, but also protect one another, because they know that if any of them is going down, they will all be going down together.

And for people like Tinubu, who understand the value of influence and the importance of power, he would never empower courageous and ambitious people to serve in his government because of his selfish interest. This is not because they are not qualified, but because he knows that they may choose to go against his wish one day, and stop making themselves subservient to him.

Instead, he would always look for people without prospects, ambition, will and grit… Particularly those who never think of themselves as becoming greater than what they have already become in life. These are the kind of people he can fully vouch for and confidently entrust with power. A nonentity without influence and leverage, who without his support and endorsement cannot succeed in politics and social governance.

And why should this defective political ideology of “I-Chop-You-Chop” with undemocratic values and unethical structure be collectively resisted, and its entire foundation annihilated? It is because its ideas are completely static, decadent, unprogressive and “backwardly asterned”. As a result, such a kind of government will not, and never favour the populace or benefit the masses; only the few people who are less than the minority.

A metamorphosis of the undemocratic system of governance and irresponsible leadership, that doesn’t only metastasize into an individual problem, either for those who voted or rejected them, but into a general problem for everyone in society. So as long as Tinubu remains seated at the executive table, which is set with an array of sumptuous and overflowing food, with exhilarating refreshments, his motto after saying the “Lord’s Prayers” will continue to be “I-Chop-You-Chop, but na me must chop pass”.

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Reporting by Naija247news in Lagos, Nigeria.