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Nigerians, on the Horns of Dilemma By Kabiru Tsakuwa
At independence, the ultra-nationalist who inherited this country with the greatest promise and potentials in black Africa, were said to have enthusiastically began the processes of nation building which clearly remains unsurpassed even today. The selfless manner with which the likes of Sardauna, Tafawa Balewa and Akintola were said to have conducted the acts of leadership devoid of aggrandizements and selfishness was to say it mildly, quite legendary. The first republic leaders personifies excellence, selflessness, dedications to duties, foresight and all those fine attributes and virtues that are grossly in short supply today.
In the wisdoms of some young military officers, who were clearly acting the script of some extraneous power vent on truncating the smooth development of our dear country, the first republic nationalist must not be tolerated. Thus, on January 15th, 1966, the highly revered Sardauna of sakwato and other true nationalists were brutally murdered in cold blood. So many things have occurred in quick successions thereafter, which culminated into what many Nigerians calls ‘the military aberration’.
A lot was said about the military foray into the governance of this country. They were accused of aggrandizements, corruptions, nepotism, draconian rule and the likes. In fact before they finally vacated the scene in 1999, the problems of this country were always attributed to them. Yes, under IBB rules especially, corruptions were said to have been institutionalized. Their main preoccupation was maintenance of internal security; leaving other aspect of governance to their civilian accomplices. But one thing that can not be taken away from the so-called dictators is their ability to maintain the territorial integrity, security and unity of the country despite the many centrifugal forces over the years.
Now, the irony of life is: going by what has been happening right from the advent of the fourth republic, those military rulers who have endured much bashing from the general public are now being hail as saints! At least during their time, life generally was not as hard as it is today. Corruptions was normally done clandestinely and in millions or billions of Naira, unlike today when it’s done brazenly and in billions of DOLLARS.
Many bizarre episodes that are unheard of during the military have been happening such that, even the much vilifies Abacha-the so-called maximum ruler, was now considered albeit belatedly a hero and an achiever who have done much for the country!
Now ten years after, we are yet to enjoy the benefits of ideal democracy. Most of the political actors are product of rigging which is mostly done crudely and shamelessly. Small countries like Ghana whose combined population are not more than that of Kano and Lagos are now considered as bastions of democracy and good governance. Those bad habits and attitudes that we accused the military of doing have now been multiplied and perfected in such away that, every where on glance are sign of despairs and disillusionment.
Many analysts have emphasized the need for a free and fair election as antidotes to bad governance, but the ominous signal coming out of Bauchi state, where a free and fair election took place in 2007; has now placed Nigerians on the horns of dilemma.
Most of the politicians lack the barest minimum of principles or ideology with which to predicate their act of governance as practicalised by the Isa yuguda of this world. Personal and selfish ambitions are mostly their driving forces. Therefore, since ideal democracies as being practice in Ghana and some western climes can not be entrench and guaranteed in the polity through free and fair elections, what is the way forward for the much traumatized and bastardized Nigerians?
Face with such a quagmire, shall Nigerians yearn for a return to the military dictatorship of the past where at least their security and three square meals per day are assured? Or shall they remain trapped under the jackboot of democratic pretenders whose conduct have so far proved worst than that of their much vilified military counter-parts? Herein lays the dilemma of Nigerians!
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