The State of Emergency

The State of Emergency: Who Is In Control?

Sunday Goshit

The declaration of a state of emergency in Plateau State did not come to me as
a surprise. It is evident that there a state of emergency might be declared on
the whole nation very soon, if the nation must survive. I believe that
Governor Joshua Dariye had lost control of the state and was playing around
with the lives of innocent citizens. They were politicking with the welfare of
people. He and Obasanjo rigged themselves into office, and he had the
assurance that because he was an ardent supporter of the Presidency and the
Presidency all will be well. He did not know one thing about Obasanjo;
That Obasanjo is an appointee of the Northern Political ruling class and he
would do all he can to remain in their good books if he would remain in power.
Can he explain the release of Mohammed Abacha while the others remain in jail
for the same crime they are being accused of? Can he explain the fact that
many more people have been killed in Kaduna and Kano and yet no one has ever
threatened a state of emergency in any of these places. Dariye forgot that
each time there was a coup involving the middle belt, all those involved must
die. And that was why Dimka, Vatsa, Orkar, and all those who associated with
their coups died! But when it was his turn and Yar Adua to die for the same
offence, he was spared and now he lives to be President. All because they were
not Middle Belters. What happens in Kano State where hundreds died last week?
When there was crisis in Odi and Benue, the soldiers went in and killed. But
when it happens in Lagos and Kano they needed no soldiers.

But those sentiments do not make any meaning to me again, because we cannot
continue to cry and forget that there is something we can do to help ourselves
and the people of Nigeria. I strongly believe in Nigeria and also believe that
those who continue to toy with the destiny of over 120 million people would
reach a day of reckoning. That is why I support Soyinka's call for Obasanjo's
resignation is very timely. Obasanjo called what happened in Yelwa genocide!!
Interesting! No one has described what happened in Benue and what keeps
happening in Kaduna and Kano. The sacking of the Plateau State Government is
not enough to solve the problems in the country. We need to declare a state of
emergency on corruption, on insecurity, on armed robbery, on unemployment.
Again this is another trick of the administration to deceive the world that it
is active. While Dariye goes on suspension, Obasanjo has no business being in
Aso Rock, because the situation in the nation is out of his control.

I will appeal to the people of Plateau State to be calm in the face of this
seeming injustice again. We do not want to loose any more. We should
learn our lessons. There is wisdom in calmness and prayer. The truth is that
the inefficiency of Governor Dariye has led to the death of many Mwaghavul,
Ngas, Berom, Hausas, Tarok, Goemai,Fulani, Kwalla, Deomak, Pyem, Mupun, Chip
etc. If we must be honest to ourselves, this is time for sober reflection.
Before 2001 we would have thought that Plateau State would be the last to have
a state of Emergency declared. This is no time for Political rivals to go
merry-making. Neither is it time for sympathizers to start suggesting who must
have conspired. It is time for a true assessment of what has bedevilled us for
these years. I hope the nation survives this again. It is my sincere prayer.

Sunday Goshit