Absolute power

Hubby slowed down and proceeded to park upon request by the road safety officer

We were used to this routine as their check point was positioned close to our place of residence

Officer: Sir your driver's licence

Hubby presented it

Officer: Your papers, 

Come down

where's your fire extinguisher, C-caution, jack....

It was obvious the officer was becoming frustrated by the minute as hubby was a strong believer in keeping everything with relations to the car up to date.

Officer: Ehen oga your spare tyre is under inflated 

Hubby: Really, didn't notice, I'd just pump it down the road then

Obviously not the reply he was expecting as the usual practice would be parting with some currencies to placate him. The officer became incensed and gradually it metamorphosised into threats 

Officer: I will book you and there's nothing you can do about it

Hubby: Alright, just show me where it's stated that I can be booked for having an under inflated spare tyre

Officer: Is it me you're talking to, I will seize your license for 3 months by the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you never met me. Gradually other officers joined in

All the while I watched from the car as I was in my third trimester of pregnancy, hungry and trying to calm an agitated toddler on my hand until it became obvious they were bent on intimidation and extortion. As I joined hubby it further detoriated  into a heated argument

Little by little a crowd of people began to gather in support of hubby

Seeing that they couldn't intimidate him and with the gathering crowd, they drove off with the car papers

Well, we took legal actions against them but ended up settling out of court.

Yesterday, it the news of a female Nigerian Army officer pouring a coloured liquid substance on a female corp member for arguing with her that made rounds

So many cases of intimidation, extortion and even the ultimate price of death has plagued the Nigerian people by those in uniforms. See how the average Nigerian prays not to encounter them?

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

This therefore is nothing but an abuse of the power they've been entrusted with.

That's how they behave, all of them in uniforms we'd say, but how about you and I?

A little position of authority and we become hell-bent on making everyone sweat

Do you know who I am? Is one of the most famous phrases thrown around today.

Since they made you head of that department or assigned you that position everyone dreads dealing with your office

What then makes us believe that the bulk of abuse ends with the man holding the gun

Let the change we cry for begin with you and me

Decide today to use your position of authority to make life better not bitter.