How The Military Will Fool Nigerians

How The Military Will Fool Nigerians!

Temilade Akerejola

The question that has been agitating my mind is: "Can the military rule Nigeria again"? Honestly, my candid answer is Yes. And yes, you read it right! It is not as a result of the fact that democracy in Nigeria is failing. No! Though worrisome, not also because our country is slouching towards more and more chaos (images of people and properties being burnt are being flashed across television screens all over the world and on line news sites) No! My apprehension for the future of our country is because Nigeria is populated with citizens with faded memories of the past.

I heard that Abubarkar Mohammed Rimi is advocating for the overthrow of the present administration (Never mind that he is a member of Obasanjo's party and regime. He is presently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nigerian Minting Company and a trustee of the PDP).

This is strange. If he is quoted correctly (I have much doubt), then Nigeria is a befuddling mystery. Abubarkar Rimi if you care to know, was once elected a democratic governor of Kano state. He is (?)a disciple of radical progressive politics. This is besides the fact that he is one of the few politicians that has seen hell in the hands of the Nigerian military for the past nineteen years. Buhari "showed" him pepper by detaining him. Babangida landed him into a mosquito infested boarding house detention in Epe with other prominent politicians. Trust Abacha! He wasted no time in sentencing him to a Prison cell in Ilorin for joining a group of thirty three other prominent Nigerians in advocating for the return of the country to democracy. Wonder, our people say shall never end! So, this Rimi prefers military dictatorship to a failing democracy? Wonderful!

This is the time to remember Albert Camus. In reflection to the myopic pro Stalinist sentiments of his French colleagues he said: "Mistaken ideas always end in bloodshed, but in every case it is someone's blood. That is why some of our thinkers feel free to say just anything".

I am aware that the man who took the aura of the redeemer is outrageously incompetent. Our politicians may stink like a backed- up toilet and may derive pleasure in indiscipline. Our aspirations may be turning to fears and fantasies...yet, lets not forget that it was military rule that destroyed the country.

How many of our bright citizens did the Nigerian military kill? Sardauna, Okotie Eboh, Akintola, Saro Wiwa, Abiola, Kudirat, Rewane, Dele Giwa, Christopher Okigbo and a host of others.

How many of their own did they kill for survival? Ironsi, Murtala, Bisalla, Dimka, Vatsa, Gomwalk, Orkar, Yar'adua and hundreds of others. Can you remember Ejigbo plane crash? Liberia and Sierra-Leone military intervention? On whose behalf did our soldiers die? If you have a relation that died on any of the above mentioned events, then, you know my pain.

Who introduced the culture of "bombing", "settlement", "egunje", "self succession" and etc? How many Nigerians died as a result of ethnic, religious, political and economic uprising during military rule. Remember the civil war. Do not forget "Kalakuta Republic", "Ali Must Go". What about Bauchi, Kano, Zaria, Kafanchan, Zagon -Kataf, OIC, Aguleri/Umuleri, Anti SAP, and Pro June 12 riots.

How much have been recovered from our "Lootnant" Generals? What was the value of the Naira during Tafawa Balewa and Shehu Shagari's time? Compare the value to the period Buhari, Babangida and Abacha were in power? What was the per capital income of Nigerians during the civilian government of Balewa and Shagari and Buhari, Babangida and Abacha?

Is our frustrations so much that we cannot but advocate for the return of military rule? What is Nigerians attitudes to the call for dictatorship? Supple?

I said I have a fear. And this fear is real. What is my trouble? This is it: It is easy for the military to take over power in Nigeria again. How will they seize power? All they just need do is to rile up grievances and fears, past and present, real and imaginary to the point that our people will be happy to welcome them. They will satisfy the interests of the selfish elites of the major tribes. And to hell with the masses that have to live and die as a result. They are inconsequential.

So, what will the military say to take over? They will say:

"Fellow Nigerians,

I Major Oladipo Chukwuemeka Abubarkar on behalf of The Revolutionary Council Of the Nigerian Armed Forces hereby make the following declarations:

Following the transition from military dictatorship to civilian democracy, it is obvious that our country is not yet departed from the misbegotten legacy of tyranny. Events of the past three years has established a new benchmark for evil which has expanded horror and terror to a previously inconceivable measure.

We have plunged into a new ominous phase of a long running conflict aimed at sowing miseries across the country.

Regrettably, this circle of violence appears increasingly audacious. Amidst hope for a solution, Nigerians has turned anger into self doubt.

Stunned by the multi generational problems facing our country characterized by financial instability, economic stagnation, collapse of social and essential services, rising joblessness, and a web of interlocking tribal rebellion and gangsterism, WE, The Revolutionary Council of The Nigerian Armed Forces after days of trying to make sense of the horrific situation has reluctantly but patriotically decided to arrest this ugly developments.

Fellow Nigerians, we cannot continue to ignore the gnawing threats to our prosperity and social stability. History teaches us that the greatest threats to freedom is the lack of freedom.

The lives of millions of the future generation of our country is at stake if some kind of effort is not made to stop this callous disregard to law and order and to secure the lives and properties of our citizens.

IT is clear than ever that the political class is clever but not wise. Despite daily shrill alarm of disintegration, rising unemployment, terrorism and other socio-economic vices plaguing our nation, it is certain that our present leaders know nothing about anything at anytime. It is very sad that even those who know history seem condemned to repeat the ugly parts.

Fellow Nigerians, the first tenet of leadership is responsibility, credibility and honesty. Our leaders have proved to be notoriously deficient and lacking in courage in tackling the multi-facet problems of our dear nation. Nigeria has turned to a land of uncertainty where inconveniences is now a normal way of life. Rather than being contributors to solutions, our politicians have become the problem. We are all witnesses to repression towards opposition from the local level to the Federal government. Whereas, a nation becomes sterile when people are too intimidated to say their minds out of the mainstream.

Fellow Nigerians, it is our duty to see democracy grow stronger and stronger and not weaker and weaker. Our country is a blessed nation. The vitality, resourcefulness and energy of our citizens should be a benchmark for progress rather than retrogression.

IT is our faith that Nigeria is salvageable but the fortune of the country would wither under the present structure. Our resolve is to evolve a tolerant, peaceful, progressive and multi cultural society built on democratic culture.

WE will therefore strongly support all efforts to advance understanding and mutual respect between all the component units of our nation. Our country is far from any resemblance of normal. We have seen injustices committed by successive governments on the people of all region. What manner of a nation will for example annul an internationally acclaimed free and fair election? We must ask ourselves why our citizens cannot practise a religion of their choice because of the fear and threats that it is not constitutional. Is it not abnormal for the minorities (both in the south and the North) to be sentenced to a perpetual political servitude? If we agree that the civil war ended with no victor no vanquish, then why must millions of hardworking citizens be victims of official victimization and oppression? Why is the producers of the nation's wealth be the most impoverished and the most neglected?

Fellow Nigerians, our citizens must not be left helpless, wounded and sad without a genuine solution. It is our resolve not to allow the apprehension over the future to dampen our enthusiasm for progress ,peace, and justice. Fellow Nigerians, there is not one section of the country that should be the victim or victor of political or economic power.

DESPITE history of dashed hopes and unmet expectations, we have resolved to deal firmly and effectively with the socio-political obstacles confronting our nation once and for all.

WE are determined to move our nation forward in the direction of respect to human dignity, equal rights, personal and civic responsibility, rule of law, truth, civility, tolerance in diversity, and self respect.

FELLOW Nigerians, true statecraft requires solutions to problems and not excuses. Nigeria at present is bleeding, demoralized, leaderless, and economically devastated. We have made serious mistakes as a nation. We cannot afford to continue to ignore the wrongs that have been done to the country by successive administrations.

THE Revolutionary Council of The Armed Forces has therefore decided as follows:

1.The immediate convocation of a Sovereign National Conference. Decision by the conference shall be final and shall not be subjected to any review by any authority. We shall ensure that the conference is representative .Participation in the conference will be by election only.

Fellow Nigerians, we may not all agree with this decision but this is the only reasonable choice if our nation is to free itself from stagnation. The real issue is not whether we agree or disagree with this decision but how we express those agreements and disagreements. It is our belief that no person, or policy, or authority has a right to be granted immunity from dissent in the name of national unity and security.

2.The Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly is hereby dissolved with immediate effect. State governments shall continue to perform their duties as elected representatives until determined by the National Conference. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is hereby suspended till further notice.

3.A state of emergency is hereby declared in the states capital of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. All public demonstration in support or against the revolution is hereby banned. Revolutionary Commanders are hereby instructed to deal ruthlessly with any break down of law and order in their respective divisions. All airports, and seaports are hereby ordered closed.

4.WE affirm the right of all law abiding citizens to live in peace without encumbrance(s). We shall deal ruthlessly without fear or favor with any individual or group of individuals that attempts to thwart this revolution. This is a revolution and not a coup! We assure fellow Nigerians that we have the will and might to take on any person(s) or group(s).

I enjoin our fellow citizens to forge an unshakeable faith in ourselves and our country to be fair and to be able do justice to all segments of our country. This revolution will be focused on achievable goals and honest with our citizens and the international community.

GOD bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

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NOTES

The familiarity and similarity of the above statements is evident. JF Kennedy once said: "Now the trumpet summons us again -not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need. Not as a call to battle though embattled we are...".This is the time to say "NO!" boldly to military intervention.

Addendum.

I am beginning to wonder if the motto of the Nigerian military is not: "Oderint, dum metuant" -meaning-"Let them hate, so long they fear". Please if you can lay your hands on Fela Anikulapo Kuti's record titled" Overtake don Overtake Overtake", enjoy it, fear not!