Let’s Have a Clearer Vision
By
Akin Falegan
It is very hard to know were to start to discuss concerns about Nigeria political life. Every sphere of life in Nigeria rotates around the political situation. In observing the trend of the present dispensation in Nigeria we have gone back to the old vicious circle of only my way or no way, always rushing ahead without clear picture of vision of what is expected. How long are we going to continue in this damning vicious circle of vision and exercise that leads to no concrete nation building? It is undeniable that older generations of Nigeria have failed the country but I am very afraid for the present generation and future generations because of the foundation we are laying these days with rubbles and mud, while we should have been laying iron cast and stone reinforced foundation.
There is a debilitating evil that pervades Nigeria and Nigerians. In spite of our obvious and credible claim to ingenious propensities and abilities in virtually all disciplines imaginable to man. Our worst enemy is impatience and inclination to judge our progress from other people’s standpoint and perspective. As long as we continue in this debilitating exercise the future of Nigeria will continue to be guess work.
Let me ask, how old is our democracy? And if it doesn’t run like what they have in the West, to us it has failed. Come on, lets quit this folly that will lead to no progress but satisfying the wishes of some unscrupulous evil designs of the so called elite, who have never and may never be people oriented but always motivated by selfish interest. What’s really wrong with us? We have not been able to have decent free and fair elections yet we are set to perfect the act of impeachment. It takes political maturity and experience to go the road of constitutional removal of a president. Since we did it at the legislative arm amongst the legislators then we have to race to apply it to the executive. The end result of this impeachment craze will not help democracy but be-evil it. This crop of politicians graduated from the Babangida’s school of settlement and Abacha’s school of power at all cost. What do you expect, anyone that belief that the National Assembly is concerned or working with the intention to help the masses or right any wrong done to the masses is simply living in a world of hallucinating illusion. Let’s check the short history of this National assembly, every move they have ever made is money motivated nothing else, how many bills have they passed that could better the lot of the masses, none. Now less than 6 months to election, they woke up from their slumber and think impeachment is what is going to serve Nigeria better than a resounding victory for the people if we should have a free and fair election this coming election, who is fooling who. The most disheartening part of this nonsense is that the people that should know better are now playing to the gallery, just to be heard or what?
How I wish these National assembly of shame could be an assembly of honour by rolling out legislation/s that will ensure a free and fair election in the coming election, instead of the ignoble foray into an impeachment process that will not bring about any meaningful change for good. Agreed, they may be able to deflate Obasanjo’s misplaced ego and probably humiliate him out of office, but does that serve the masses, no not by any stretch of imagination.
I am afraid for Nigeria, for Nigerians in pursuit of even ignoble goals will be blind sighted and disregard issues of more damning implication. I was numbed the very day I read what the Senate called reconciliation move, that is, to wish away and disregard credible committee reports, that at the least implicated and suggested that some of the officers in the senate were corrupt and deserved to be indicted and prosecuted under the law. In ugly irony Senator Gbenga Aluko moved a motion that will make it impossible for the INEC to disqualify them from contesting election. This act is the dirtiest slap Nigerians have received to date in this dispensation. Why then do we still have laws in the book that punishes criminals when in a camouflage of reconciliation in the senate, criminals are let lose. The most mind bugling is that the commentators on happenings in Nigeria are so engrossed in the impeachment saga that they either intentionally missed the senatorial abuse of power or they just don’t care. Even Rueben Abati that wrote about it almost trivialized it in his first piece, but the second piece was more like it. We cannot afford to institutionalized corruption and progress as a nation. It is about time we adjust our focus and re-align our perspective of what Nigeria should be than to just join the bandwagon. Our vision of what Nigeria should be must be clear in order to formulate strategies that will help actualize the vision.
As I have stated in a previous piece, lets not disregard or ignore the local tiers of government, the ratio of atrocities that goings on there is larger per ratio in comparison to the federal government. Having in mind that the local tiers of government are in position to effect either positive or negative impact on the people.
Lets take for example, in my state Ekiti, a free and fair election will definitely serve us better, why? It is a known fact in Ekiti state today that if there is a free and fair election in the state the people will do away with the inept, corrupt and evil government of Adeniyi Adebayo, which is now a yoke of burden around the neck of my people. But, most people in the state have resigned to the fact that unless something drastic is done, the present government will rig the election massively by the use of the state government machinery and thereby disenfranchise the people. What I have just stated about the situation on ground in Ekiti state is applicable to most of the states in Nigeria but the way out is bleak for the people because of the real chances of massive rigging by the incumbent governors.
What a misplaced priority, at this time when everyone and all indications are crying for laying of enduring democratic foundation by way of instituting the machinery that will deliver and ensure perpetual free and fair elections, which is the fuel for the engine of democracy as water is to the growth of plants. Our so-called honorable assembly members and senator are busy flexing their political muscles with a president that doesn’t have a clue about what will better Nigeria. Now the shameful exercise has evolved a life of her own, a monster is let lose, no one really knows the end it will bring about. Impeaching Obasanjo will not help Nigeria in any way, but voting him out of office will speaks of Nigeria coming of age in democracy. And it would have helped strengthen the foundation laying process that should be passed on to future generations.
Bear with me I always try to avoid ethnic references, but it is of a necessity that I have to this time. What Yoruba people knew almost in ages past is now a laudable discovery to the Hausa/Fulani and the Igbos. You people voted Obasanjo in, we did not because we know better, you choose the Yoruba man you wanted. Now again we are saying impeachment is not the best way, please for once listen to voice of reason. Defeating Obasanjo at the poll serves Nigeria better.(Please do not misconstrue the above statement to mean what it doesn’t, all I am alluding to is that we need a national goal and uninhibited focus for clearer vision) Lets lay a credible enduring democracy foundation and structure for future generations to come. This political misfortune is about 50 years old since the time of self-government, in 1952, and it has continued almost unabated down Nigeria political history with repulsive consequences. What am I referring to, the ignoble political alliance between the north and the east (don’t be sentimental about this, check the facts, they are in the history books) that has brought about no good result to Nigeria progress to date. We are back on the same road, what informed you that the result would be different. Please, listen to the voice of reason, at least this time around free and fair election is the proper solution to Nigeria’s political problem. It is about time we project and pursue Nigeria Agenda, not sectional agendas. It is time we all realize that Nigeria occupies an important place in world comity of nations for the good of the black race. If we should fail, we are not failing Africa alone but the black race. Frankly speaking no other black nation can fit into Nigeria’s shoes. Let our focus be devoid of tribal or ethnic sentiments, what is at stake is bigger than that and that’s the only way forward. Nigeria’s potentials are almost limitless if properly managed.
God bless and keep Nigeria. Amen
Akin Falegan
Atlanta.