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Let President Obasanjo Continue Going By Ibrahim Abdu Zango
General Olusegun Obasanjo now president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who came to power in 1999-2003, must have been the most powerful president Nigeria has ever seen and had. This power as enshrined in the constitution of 1999 seemed to supersede the one we were acclimatized to in 1979. Matured Nigerians who saw the 1979 president must have seen this naked truth as stated above.
In 1979, though we had pursued the American system of governance, the president have limited powers as the legislative arm used to put him on check and he systematically – vow to such limitations of powers as every Nigerian could perhaps testify to this. We do know for sure people like Late Nnamdi Azikwe, Late Obafemi Awolowo and Late Mallam Aminu Kano as well as host of others were alive and every president must know their presence and cannot ride on their back to do as he wishes, but certainly even with these great men were alive the civilian president Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari had the political charisma to understand his own limitations and the power that vested on the legislative arm. Even though there had been some political wrangling from other parties especially the UPN who challenged every move of the then Federal Government as controlled by the NPN. This seeming paradox is one of the political inclinations as things must not go single- handedly without certain mechanism of opposition.
We all know however the Federal Government then was not that weak but democracy must go through a hard channel to reach to the favorable tunnels. This had been going on till when the military struck even though wickedly for nothing tangible was allowed to make amend with the causes of such undesirable actions from the military. In fact during 1979-1983 every Nigerian was able to benefit from the dividend of democracy hence all that to which a common man would use was too easy to get, may it be comestible, cloth, vehicle and even going to hospital to see doctor free plus medicament for treatment.
Life was so easy and there was a proper check on vandalism because right security of human person was taking care of. The economy was so buoyant and the national currency NAIRA was very reliable and valuable. At this point the military struck and took over and that was the turning point of our predicament.
In this analysis therefore, the new set of politicians who were very young then should compare what is going on now and what transpired 1979-1983. Certainly, there is no comparison to the reality now at hand. Large number of Nigerians believes that we are wiser and educated and always telling ourselves that the whole world has changed from relative peace to political quagmires, the bogginess of the whole show could be seen since 1999- date, whereas Nigerians get high handedness to the core where our political future is brittle and therefore blink.
One can see that in the political dispensations where the federal might insist on the economic reforms to which by the day is very unpopular with the reality on the ground. As there have been constant fuel hike every now and then almost about seven times in six years, it is my belief that it is not what is obtainable in countries with oil wealth like ours.
President Obasanjo and his government seems unmindful with the situation that constant fuel hike aggravate to the whole country. The common man is always suffering and this had started since 1989 without many things at the hands of the generality of Nigerians. People are made to bear all the repercussions, persecutions and the federal might still pushes on perhaps until when most Nigerians are unable to move out from their houses. What really happening and why should the federal government in civilian attire not khaki should do this for God’s sake?
What is the rationale of doing such an inhuman treatment to us why please why? We do know every nation have it own peculiar problems but that of Nigeria is too much to bear. We do know Nigeria had since 1989 embraced SAP and all its ramifications and that particular system was blindly embraced without the consent and views of Nigerians but there was nothing we could do because it was a military government that was not guided by any constitution. However, the present government though controversially declared by the Supreme Court, suppose to be guided by the constitution which brought it from the beginning in 1999. Though the president was a retired military general who went all corners of our country campaigning and promising better days, here we are now in serious trouble and dilemma or rather in trouble waters with titanic sailor. It is good to recall how president Obasanjo berated the Babangida’s economic reform policies and declared to all that cares to listen that the policies lacks human face. Probably, it was a bamboozle remark to hide his identity then.
We do know as well or was it a mistake, that president Obasanjo was considered a statesman from 1976 to 1979 when he handed over to Shehu Shagari, and it might be that impression that Nigerians had 1999 when he desired to contest the election that nobody raised an eyebrow. He was considered in 1999 as person with little credential but with large heart that could possibly lead Nigeria and Nigerians to the promise land. What an illusion?
We also do understand why Obasanjo open up his inner self by saying those who invested for Obasanjo to become president would later find out that it was a bad investment, with no return on their investment. Sun shuka dusa. To the president, it was those that contributed money to see him through to the presidency. Ironically, the president have forgotten that it was not the same set of people that are suffering from his harsh and wicked economic policies. The fact of the matter is that it is the 120 million innocent Nigerians or thereabout that voted for you in 1999 into the exalted office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria that are wallowing in abject poverty and deprivations for six good years of your maladministration.
Not only other citizens from the 29 political parties are suffering but even the members of your acclaimed biggest political party in Africa PDP are suffering this untold hardship. Now that your government is about to conduct National Census, it is advisable that you conduct or include referendum as to ascertain whether or not the 160 millions Nigerians are happy with you and your wicked and rather corrupt political appointees and governors that aided and abetted your drive of inflicting this untold hardship. Many sycophants are daily telling you what you want hear, that Nigerians are with you, Mr. President Sir, prepare and arrange the referendum that is my only advice.
I believe even those of us who said and argued about your victory in 2003, that you won clean and clear, could hardly voted for you. I mean people like Audu Ogbe, Inuwa Labaran, Adams Oshiomole to mention but a few.
Mr. President, we still prefer democratic government with human face policies but this version is biting too much. If what you are doing is avoiding Iraq’s syndrome to Nigeria by your foreign masters then definitely it is a great disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians. If our creditors or your masters want to re- colonize Nigeria because of our oil rich, let them be strong and courageous in testing our will, for only those whose time it is would surely die.
Mr. President, those American and European masters of yours are not Nigerians thus their interest is our oil, we, Nigerians expected you to be brave enough to tell them point blanc that millions of Nigerians are dying daily for hunger and starvation and for diseases that are both preventable and curable. Our people are dying for both natural and man - made disasters; therefore we do not fear death anymore. They should not keep fooling us by pretending to be helping us while in the real sense of the matter we are being caged in our country as slaves.
Mr. President, it is a serious disservice to God and the people of Nigeria by subjecting us to this animalistic treatment in our country. As a born again Christian, you should know that only God gives and takes life not human mortals. Those dubious creditors of ours are cunning and they can do anything possible to use and dump you in the time of great need. This is not the time to remain helpless, be brave enough to use the resources of this country to save us from such slave-like-situation of condition.
In conclusion, I call upon Nigerians especially those with listening ears to let you continue going till you are chanced to stop because you sees to be unstoppable and there is nothing anyone can do.
IBRAHIM ABDU ZANGO WRITES AND RESIDES IN KANO.
Through: SURAJO ABDULLAHI DURUMIN IYA KANO, NIGERIA
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