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Elections 2007: Before the Real Matters Arise By Oti Babaleye
Preamble The General Elections 2007 have come and gone. The world has not stopped as anticipated. This seemingly confirms that General Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ), the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a genius of sorts. He set his objectives after the failed third term bid and he has achieved them to a large extent. He appears to have beaten all his enemies’ snares. But a key question is:’ can a man fool God?’ The obvious answer is blowing in the wind. OBJ has studied Nigerians for the past seventy (70) years and appears to understand them perfectly. The current agitations about the results of the 2007 general elections has been made possible by the actions and inactions of some key stakeholders namely; OBJ, INEC, PDP, Armed Forces, Opposing Parties, Buhari, Atiku, the Press, Voters and the Judiciary. We would proceed to examine the role of each and their culpability in working against God’s divine purpose for Nigeria. I have left out the roles of Iwu, Ehindero and some others as they will be in another treatise.
OBJ: It is obvious that OBJ is a beloved son of God. His antecedents show this clearly. He survived Congo, the Civil war, Dimka’s ambush, Babangida’s snare and Abacha’s gulag. He has been blessed to lead in 3 different eras (1976 – 1979, 1999 – 2003, and 2003 – 2007). But then what has he given back to God and the people? Far less than he received of course. Only God can search the reins. In summary, God will judge him at the right time and as appropriate. After watching Abacha’s dance steps, suddenly Babangida was classified as a saint; a man who was hitherto credited with foisting corruption on the nation with the settlement agenda. OBJ’s part in history will not be erased. Would it be positive/negative? God knows.
Armed Forces: Stripped of munitions and money, they lie prostrate. It is doubtful if they can repel an incursion from Cameroon. However, they must get our kudos for being respectful of their Commander-in-Chief. Any other action would spell disaster for them and the Nation.
PDP: An army of marauders. Greedy to the hilt. In getting the spoils of war without a thought for the common man, they have appropriated our commonwealth. They will be dispersed when it comes to time to split the loot. The Chief organizer, being the greediest would take more than his fair share and then many will grumble loudly and then we would know how the rigging was carried out. An example is the confessions of Chris Uba in respect of the Anambra elections of 2003. God will yet descend to smite them with a curse.
Opposition Parties: Never has Nigeria been so cursed with a gang of opportunists. They saw the handwriting on the wall; ‘Mene mene tekel up harshin’. They did not understand it. Also, they could not summon a wise man to interpret the mind of God. They could not have done better than the PDP. For not coming together to present a strong cord, and therefore rescue the common man; they would be judged harshly in history.
Buhari and Atiku: A joke circulated when Jerry Rawlings was Head of State in Ghana. He was asked why he had not thought it fit to promote himself to a higher military rank. He promptly replied that he was not in the Nigerian Army. I have not been able to explain how Buhari, a retired Major-General was unable to read OBJ’s maneuvers. Was he playing dumb? He has done great disservice to himself by going to war without munitions or soldiers. Hence, it only made sense for OBJ not to disarm Buhari as he was ill-prepared for battle.
Atiku is a survivor no doubt. I am beginning to believe that the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua appreciated this quality and made him a close confidant. I confess that I am one of those who have been confounded by Atiku’s dexterity and ambidextrous character. I hate to call him a visionary; but he was always one step ahead. He appears to have unmasked OBJ. But then, does he love the masses more? I doubt! He had to survive; it was the only available strategy. He had no options. He is lucky that the judiciary woke up in his time of travail. However, I am still of the opinion that OBJ is a wily old man waiting to play the ace of cards when Atiku would not be able to respond. He should therefore watch his back and beware of a Judas in his pack of cards and/or amongst his associates. OBJ has a plan I would probably call ‘Final push; no response’
The Press: The press represents a common band of masquerading saviours of the masses. I classify them as lazy, uneducated fools; waiting to scoop beer parlour gossips instead of doing serious investigative journalism. They parrot internet news and hold us to ransom. Perhaps the most corrupt section of society. For most, the sight of a brown envelope does wonders to their heartbeat; even when unknown to them it is empty. They have joined the column of armchair economists who would say, “on the one hand if ……., on the other hand if ………’ God deliver us. My kudos to the few who write from the heart.
Voters: Nigerian voters are a spineless lot. They are stupid in duty and stupid in leisure. Why would you struggle to register, struggle to vote and not know that it is only sensible to also struggle to protect your vote in order to make it count. They remain a weak link in the Nigerian nation-building chain. Nigeria will never make it unless they wake up from their slumber. Unfortunately, this has been going on since 1953. Only states like Ondo woke up in 1983 to ease themselves. Development will only come when they assert their rights. We need to sensitise them to this.
The Judiciary: A group with a bad reputation for conjuring wrong-headed judgments. Suddenly, they have woken up, through the leadership of Alfa Belgore. So far they remain unblemished even in a qualified way. We pray they redeem Nigeria by not dealing treacherously. The ball is now in their courts. How will they play it? Only God knows. However, one thing is sure. The purpose of God cannot be derailed by man.
Conclusion: What then should we expect? War? Chaos? Nigerians running helter skelter? No, that will not be our lot; for God will do a new thing. He will arise and scatter His enemies in a way that will confound the wisest of men. After all, the foolishness of God is better than the wisest wisdom of men. Nigeria, your time to arise and shine has come. Come into the kingdom of your father who loves you and blessed you with human and material resources for a good purpose.
My honest advice is for all Nigerian to repent and join the train that is coming to bring the purpose of God to fruition. God has set a time for Nigeria to be great and it is before the year 2020. In setting the year 2020 as the year in which Nigeria would join the top 20 nations of the world; OBJ is perfectly right. The only perturbation is that it will come much earlier. God bless Nigeria. Amen. Make no mistake, I am not a prophet. I woke up one morning burdened; then I found myself writing this. I cannot therefore vouch. Nigeria should beware lest it marry the daughter of a foreign God.
Oti Babaleye
Idi-Ape, Ibadan
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