Nigerians have been treated to a theatre of the absurd in which those close to the oil scene and those who should be the prime suspects for the incessant theft of crude are the same people complaining about it and passing the buck among themselves. Jonathan’s government is obviously powerless to stop the grand larceny or is unwilling to do so. Meanwhile, we face real fiscal catastrophe this year and next year if the theft is not checked. Who are the culprits? Take your choice from the list below.

There are some situations in which a public official should pray not to find himself or herself. Just last week, a columnist with the PUNCH, Chido Onumah, reminded us of what Reuben Abati wrote about the President’s wife before he was appointed presidential spokesman. In particular Abati had written that “the possession of power in any form does not guarantee the right to be reckless or to ignore the etiquette required of office holders”.

“When the housewife announces that “the soup in the pot is totally burnt”, she is telling the family that there will be no dinner”, Old Uncle in Lagos.

“What we find it not to our liking when a comment is made that tends to say that government will shut down if the National Assembly doesn’t do anything. We do not agree with that”, Senator Abaribe.

The announcement by the US President to provide an intervention fund worth $7 billion to seven countries in Africa, including Nigeria, should be regarded as a major embarrassment to this country and a vote of no confidence in our ability to solve the power problem by ourselves.