Babangida, Ekwueme, Obasanjo and 2004: How Times Change in Nigeria Too

Dr. Chidi Uzoma

Rome, Italy

I’ve forgotten who of the trio above started the ball rolling. I guess it was Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) who not long ago declared that he had nothing against convening Nigerians in any sort of roundtable to talk the ever-elusive talk about our nationhood. I believe some of the promoters of the call for a National Conference or Sovereign National Conference, depending on opinion, really had a field day, recording such an endorsement from no other person than General Babangida himself. But such are the signs of the times. Ever since notable Nigerians including the Vice-President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku and former special duties minister Alhaji Wada Nas has joined the fray and their numbers seem on the increase by the day. And this is one for Nigeria .

Then followed President Olusegun Obasanjo as if coming down once from the high pedestal of governance, he had consistently elected himself to, by announcing during his last monthly media chat to whoever cared to know from which governing seat “the truth” is coming from, “that Chief Moshood Abiola was denied of his 1993 presidential electoral victory by Nigerian political intrigues”.

Also the Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, added his voice by declaring that “Bashir Tofa (the National Republican Convention, NRC 1993 presidential candidate) did not only acknowledge defeat, but was set to publicly congratulate Abiola before political intrigues set in” (Daily Times, June 24 2004). And this is two for Nigeria .

Thank you, Mr President, however late. At the same time Mr President certainly does not need me to remind him that unfortunately, quite unfortunately too many innocent people – both big and small – continue to be victims of Nigerian political intrigues, even in far away countries, such as we find ourselves.

Secondly, certainly Mr President does not need me to tell him that acknowledging this painful truth on M.K.O. Abiola – though a very significant step - is not enough. There has to be amends. And what other greater amend than letting a scion of the late Abiola to govern Nigeria someday, as has often happened in many as different countries of the world. It would be paying HIS FAMILY back with the same coins for which “THE MAN DIED”. I say someday since all are agreed that currently the southwest has exhausted their presidential chance.

Then entered Dr Alex Ekwueme with his bombshell making the rounds now that the late Gen. Sani Abacha after all said remains after all a Nigerian nationalist against the backdrop of the “equitable” policies he engineered while in office, including the creation of additional six states, one for every geo-political zone. And this is three for Nigeria .

As is to be expected, many commentators have spoken out in favour of the former vice-president’s courage, while some seem just confused. Certainly the late General would be full of bewilderment for such an endorsement from one of his arch-opponents while alive.

Then again it was President Obasanjo who diffused the tension within the people’s democratic party (PDP) over 2007 presidential zone controversy, by publicly acknowledging that yes the party has not yet decided on any zone. Hence all the geo-political zones minus the southwest are free to express interest on the presidential ticket. The point is not that the President spoke but that he chose to speak at a much opportune time.

And then again Gen. Babangida seconded President Obasanjo barely a week later. Gen. Babangida, himself one of the presumed 2007 contenders more or less corroborated Obasanjo’s viewpoint by asserting “that office (Presidency) belongs to all Nigerians. Any Nigerian who aspires to get into that office has the right to do so” (The Guardian, Monday July 5, 2004 ).

Our statesmen seem to have started speaking out quite recently on burning national issues, such as it should be. How times change and in Nigeria too! Could this Olympic year 2004 be the Nigerian year? Could this be the much sought after wind of change that Nigerians have long been clamouring for, particularly from their elder statesmen?

By all accounts, it could be safe to say that the Nigerian Roundtable or Conference is already in progress. It would be kudos for Nigeria and Nigerians when they are finally able to design and redesign Nigeria on their own terms and in a time of peace i.e. without any outside influence or unwarranted circumstances such as natural disasters (earthquakes, famine, etc) or civil strife. The world is watching.

July 6, 2004