Yet Another Impeachment Threat (Joke) by the National Assembly

By

Anyanwu, I.C.

ica2101@columbia.edu

 

On the current threat of Impeachment of President Obasanjon, to the Nigerian National Assembly: I say, I dare you -as if you could impeach this president!!

I do not say this because, I think the National Assembly does not have the constitutional authority to impeach the President, if the grounds exist for such action, nor do I think that, this administration, and in its very recent tenure, has not been liable of impeachable offenses. Rather, I say it because, from what Nigerians and other observers have known of the Nigerian National Assembly, it is a toothless bull dog -all bark, and no bite, on matters pertaining to constitutional checks and balances, presidential impeachment and keeping this administration in check, transparent and accountable to Nigerians. The National Assembly flirted with impeaching this President not long ago, and we all know what a colossal debacle that was. What is the basis to think, that, this National Assembly is capable of carrying out its constitutional duties rather than petty personality politics and vendetta?

There have been countless countries, where, through popular mass demonstration and uprising, weak, inefficient and corrupt governments have been forced to resign, driven out of power, or impeached, in Africa, Latin American, Asia and Eastern and Western Europe (and, of course, the United States, showed the world how to do it in the modern era, with Richard Nixon). Why are Nigerians still waiting for God, and foreign powers on this, which may take a really long time, if at all?

The lives of millions of Nigerians have been devastated by HIV/AIDS, poverty, ethnic and religious conflicts, industrial and traffic accidents and other catastrophe res, under this administration, yet nothing tangible has been done to hold this government accountable. Nigerian output of petroleum is over a million barrels per day, and for almost five years now, the average world market price for crude petroleum has been between $35 and $55 per barrel (you do the maths for how much revenue this government has earned in the past five years). Where has the revenue gone to -what has it been spent on? This is the sort of question Nigerians should be asking.

A long, long time ago, the threat of coup deta, kept Nigerian politicians and military leaders on guard (at least, a modicum of public accountability and transparency.) I guess, now, that we have done away with coups, Nigerian politicians -the president, the legislators and other public officials have nothing to fear. Why did we outlaw coups in the first place, anyway? I recall, We were advised by Our foreign "masters" and their corporate interests (who are primarily interested in African puppet regimes, that would allow Africa's minerals to be sent overseas, uninterruptedly, at token prices), that coups are bad for Africa. But, unlike the foreign "masters", our judiciary and legislature are not capable of enforcing public accountability, and for sometime, the Nigerian Armed Forces (through military coups and threats of it, instilled the spirit of public accountability in the minds and conducts of Nigerian office-holders). They do not have to fear anything anymore!

If I may ask, why should Africans (Nigerians) listen and take orders as to how to organize their affairs, from foreign governments and their corporate interests, that do not really, care about Nigerian interests, anyway? Asia did not listen nor take orders from overseas governments, as to how to develop its countries? May someone remind me: what have these foreign "masters" that Obasanjon diligently comes overseas to report to, done for Nigeria, lately? What have we gained from abolishing coups? I am not arguing that, the military or coup is the panacea (but, until, some unscrupulous individuals corrupted our Armed Forces, we used to be proud of what it, once represented -its intervening instincts, when public office holders became too corrupt and weak to effectively govern the nation).

The bottom line is this: Nigerian leaders (politicians, the courts and the Armed Forces have roundly failed Nigerians), and the forebears of our Independence and Republic would judge those of you, under whose stewardship, and through whose actions and conducts, this nation has been brought to its Knees, and as a result, caused the untimely death and misery of millions of Nigerians.

There is an urgent need for every Nigerian to know and be aware of the details of major transactions that the Nigerian government has been entering into with foreign governments, foreign and domestic firms -dealings with the Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, Brazilian, US, British, South African and other governments and companies. The details of most of these transaction are not in the long-term interest and benefit of Nigerians. Demand to know about these, and prevent the execution of such contracts, if they are not in the best interest of Nigerians. The manner in which Nigerian assets are being sold and negotiated away, especially, in a world that is increasingly hostile to Africans, our future economic and social well-being have been mortgaged by unscrupulous Nigerian leaders.

To Nigerians, I say this: Obasanjo alone should not be blamed for the mismanagement, inefficiency, corruption and the tragedy of life for millions of Nigerians. The National Assembly and everyone of its members, and the Nigerian judiciary -at every level, are to blame and be held accountable. The National Assembly should not have waited until things have gone so bad. Your destiny is not in the hands of some foreign powers, nor the Nigerian National Assembly. Rather, your destiny is in your own hands. Africans (Nigerians), we seem to trust everything to God and say too much prayers. However, I think there are certain things that God would wish we took care of, with the faculties and abilities He has given us. Also, as for foreign help, some foreign governments may fear that a well governed Nigeria (like the assertive Murtala Mohamed, and Shagari/Ekwueme regimes) would not be to their best interests, and therefore, may not be supportive of efforts to deal with our leadership crisis. So, very little, if any foreign help is heading to Nigeria, or Africa for that matter. Therefore, we have to determine our destiny the best, we know how.

(These are personal thoughts that are directed to ordinary Nigerians/Africans and intellectuals.)

Sincerely,

Anyanwu, I.C.

NY, USA