The Nigeria I See
By
Leonard Karshima Shilgba
shilgba@yahoo.com
The temptation to give up on Nigeria is common among
Nigerians that have spoken and written a lot about the good that is
a possible experience for Nigeria. But there is a greater passion, a
nobler one, to expect and envision a nation where citizens
consciously refuse to examine one another through the colored
glasses of ethnicity and religion.
There is a strong temptation to
compare life in Nigeria and life outside of Nigeria. This temptation
is noble if it would motivate citizens to work towards a more decent
life at home. But it is depriving if it lures away Nigeria's best
and brightest from the motherland,
Between 2012 and 2015 I have seen
two significant events that have fetched hope about a more
prosperous and livable union. Those two events provided
incontrovertible evidence that the two dams in the way of a
harmonious flow of the river of citizenship—ethnic and religious
biases—are systematically being pulled down. Early in 2012,
Nigerians, irrespective of language or religious differences, united
against the insensitive manner and time of removal of fuel subsidy.
In the North, Christians watched over their Muslim brethren who took
time off the protests to say their prayers, and Muslims watched over
Christians as they attended their religious meetings. It was a
beautiful sight to behold. Nigerians had found a common passion that
had taken them away from the decades-long distraction of religious
and ethnic grandstanding usually stoked by some of their selfish
political and religious leaders. I have written and affirmed that a
nation is only born out of a country when the elements have found a
common passion that drives them without a visible driver.
Sadly, between 2013 and 2014, the
conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and some nationalities,
particularly in the North-Central part of Nigeria, threatened the
melody of the sweet music composed by citizens. A discriminatory
law, contrary to section 42 of the Nigerian constitution, was mooted
by the federal government, which could have made some Nigerians to
lose their ancestral land to the Fulani herdsmen. Writers like me
were vehement in our opposition to any discriminatory piece of
legislation that would undermine the interest of some Nigerians to
the benefit of other Nigerians. The contemplation of such
legislation was another example of the devious cunningness with
which some Nigerian politicians play Nigerians against one another
to serve their personal interest.
I have worked with Nigerians from
different parts of the country on the Nigerian project. Over the
years, I have come to understand better that most Nigerian elite
enlist in a cause first to serve a private agenda which is often
kept out of view of collaborators. Secondly, I have learned that I
have no enemies on the basis of religion or ethnicity in Nigeria.
Nigerian citizens, who can hardly afford residence abroad, are the
losers and victims in times of politically contrived conflagrations.
The second significant event during
the period that has threatened to bury ethnic and religious
differences is the 2015 presidential election. Many believe that the
election will be bloody. We have only few days before it happens.
And the event will come to pass and Nigeria shall emerge stronger
and better. Yes, anxious enthusiasm may spark a few outbursts here
and there, but these would be quench the beautiful flood of national
re-birth and discovery. I see a people united in large part against
deprivation. Majority of Nigerians have come together across all
forms of divide to use their power of choice this time. The
traditional apathy in election time seems to wear off. Nigerians
have matured in the last 16 years. Politicians who have in the past
relied on manipulation of the emotions of the electorate with
appeals to religion and ethnic affiliation will be disappointed this
time. The power of money has been greatly downgraded at this time,
although not completely extinguished. All of these give me hope of
a better Nigeria.
A bloodless revolution is possible
now. Nigerians are gradually being sanctified from the blemish of
ethnic and religious discriminations. A new generation, many of whom
have parentage across the traditional divides, is speaking out so
loud that only performance and verifiable ideas and vision by
politicians displaying their wares in the political market could
make them part with their precious votes. Big ideas projected could
only be bought in if this generation of Nigerians believes in the
purveyor. What I see is the end of the active political career of
many politicians after the presidential election in 2015. Nigerian
politicians, from now going forward, will be tasked on intelligent
solutions to societal problems. Making bland promises now amount to
little in today's Nigeria. Fact-checking is gradually becoming part
of our political tradition even as political debates are.
Money usually pursues after great
ideas and integrity. Trust is the most important asset of a leader.
It is the most important treasure that any government has to offer
in the political capital market. When a leader loses integrity
because he has not kept promises of the past, the citizens will turn
against him. That is the unfortunate burden of President Jonathan.
It has nothing to do with religion or ethnic affiliation. When a
leader has a thousand different views on a single issue, he is
termed confused or clueless. Such terms are not necessarily abusive;
rather, they are the product of evidence. And when such leader also
demonstrates inability to correctly understand problems and proffer
intelligent solutions, he has lost all hope to perpetuate himself in
office by the grace of the people. If the religious pray to God to
keep the leader in office, by interpretation, they are asking God to
punish society.
I see a Nigeria where ineptitude in
government cannot go unpunished by the people. I see a nation that
should be prepared to welcome home many of her children in the
Diaspora that will soon return with relevant skills and capital to
invest. I see a Nigeria where government’s lies can easily be
exposed. I see a Nigeria that will work for the majority and not
only for a few. I see a Nigeria where more competent and honest
people will go into government. I see a Nigeria that will sincerely
seek out decent people with ideas to drive the process. More
importantly, I see a Nigeria where corruption will be punished and
hard work rewarded.
Let me conclude with a confession to
illustrate how the fortunes of a man can change suddenly with more
knowledge. I had made up my mind never to cast my vote for General
Buhari. I had only one reason for this. Between 1979 and 1983, my
state, Benue had a great governor, Mr. Aper Aku, who was my uncle.
In fact, he launched his campaign in our local government in my
father's compound in Ikyobo when I was only about 11 years old (yet,
I still remember).
Mr. Aku remains the reference point
for governance in Benue until today. I learned that some wealthy
people in the state provided the collateral for the loan that
Governor Aku obtained (about 200 million US dollars!) for the
industrialization of the state. Shortly after, the coup that brought
General Buhari to power happened. Until now, there is no account
provided on what the military governors did with the money.
Understandably, I was determined to punish Buhari for this. I had
even contemplated a law, if I could, that would make a state refuse
to subject itself to any military rule in the event of a coup.
I would like
General Buhari to assure me that if voted into the office of
President of Nigeria he would look into how the loan taken to
industrialize Benue state got missing under the military governors
he had posted to my state, and how Benue state would be adequately
compensated even as he has promised to compensate Lagos State when
he becomes president. To me, it matters. And I am cautiously moving
towards, not only the most popular but more intelligent alternative,
BUHARI.
When
we compare the two foremost candidates for the office of President
of Nigeria, offering themselves to us to examine, don’t we find Mr.
Promise more attractive than the performance of the incumbent?
Don’t we find potential more alluring than the present reality? We
live in a free country where every citizen has the right to speak up
their mind. Yes, I know that there are hidden consequences. But I
have never seen the oppressor win in life. The oppressed, who has
spoken truth to power, lives on. His words burn on, his light ever
shining. I appeal against the use of distractions in examining
General Buhari and President Jonathan. Let Nigerians look at how
each of them has used their opportunity to serve Nigeria. One had
only 20 months to be examined, while the other has had almost 6
years. Although such comparison may be considered unfair due to the
difference in duration of service, let us do same anyway.
Alternatively, let us consider how each of the two Nigerian leaders
served during the first twenty months after they emerged as Head of
State. In the case of Buhari that would be between December 1983 and
August 1985, while for President Jonathan it would be the period
between May 2010 and January 2012. We must seek for their signature
projects or policies during their respective period of service.
Professor Soludo raised serious issues in his essay on Buhari and
Jonathan and followed up with a more damning sequel. Both candidates
responded to his first through their respective representatives.
Nigerians read the two responses. I also read the essay by Professor
Utomi, which was also a response to Professor Soludo's article.
Now, Professor Soludo has thrown a challenge for a debate.
Interesting! This election is a referendum on President Jonathan.
General Buhari presents an alternative if Nigerians are not
satisfied with the state of Nigeria in the last four years under
Jonathan's watch. But will Nigerians accept that the alternative is
better? Well, do you need a witness to testify about your need to
use the toilet when you feel the unease in your stomach? Let the
Soludos speak on. Are you better off today? May your answer be the
opposite soon.
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