BURNING POT BY PRINCE CHARLES
DICKSON
Nigeria-tude, And The Republic Of
Ombatse
pcdbooks@gmail.com
Last week my office literally turned into a small battle-field, the
issue was basically, on the proliferation of arms, the fact that
something is inherently wrong, whether by default or not.
Somewhere in the battle, the term Négritude was used by my humble
self to draw an analogy; 'Negritude' is a literary and ideological
movement, developed by francophone black intellectuals, writers, and
politicians in France in the 1930s. Its founders included the former
Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor, Martinican poet Aimé
Césaire, and the Guianan Léon Damas. Negritude literally means
Negro-ness. It takes pride in "blackness" and traditional African
values and culture, black surrealism, power and revolution, mixed
with an undercurrent of Marxist ideals.
Before we get lost my admonition this week, simply ask us, why are
we this way--are we so docile, yet violent, why are we mute, and
allow majors become minors...what is our pride in "Nigeria-ness" and
traditional values and culture.
Two months and still counting, our Nigerian-ness has been only made
visible by our continuous inaction to happenings around us. We are
even more concerned Tahir square, Egypt and Morsi, while the
Republic of Ombatse grows with impunity.
Northern governors I gathered have donated N100million to families
of policemen killed. I have read the inside story of the militia
group, we have been told they have been banned. The Nassarawa
Governor has as usual inaugurated a Commission of Inquiry, despite
his 'alleged' complicity. PDP has denied involvement, not that they
have ever accepted any charge before. Weeks back police claimed to
have arrested 'notorious' ombatse' member.
To cap it, the DSS boss says the group has been forgiven, while its
chief priest says he has not been invited by anyone. Less I forget
to add, the stories of how the officers/men of security agencies
were killed by 'gods' and 'ghosts'. The 'god' of 'ombatse' is one of
our many Nigeria-tude.
In our republic, Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson stated
over the week while with one of the naval chiefs "militants where
vandalizing oil pipelines, stealing crude oil for the purpose of
procuring arms, and recruiting new members.
He described oil theft as "a threat to national security, also
decried the proliferation of arms in the region, saying oil theft
could be linked to the procurement of such arms".
...“It is from there they have easy funds to recruit followers; it
is from these activities of crude oil theft and illegal refining
that people are able to sustain such large numbers of youths and put
them into various cult groups. What is going on has a direct effect
on the proliferation of small and light weapons because they need an
army of youths to protect their territories, to be able to withstand
the onslaught of legitimate security personnel.”
Gunmen attacked Government Secondary School, Mamudo in Yobe, 42
students were killed, and then the Zamfara episode where some 60
were butchered or the scores at the Langtang, Plateau axis. The Mubi
Killings, the recent massacre of traders from Oyo at the Borno axis,
the corpse found in that River in the East, and skulls discovered
only last week in Aba, all soon become forgotten stories. In our
Nigeria-tude we move ahead and along. Apart from the 24hour outrage
and in local parlance we do the 'Eyaaah' and say may their souls
rest in peace.
Zamfara is talking, and this is the talk--providing arms for the
state’s vigilante groups. The state said there was no going back,
that the arms have already been purchased and is currently at the
state police headquarters.
"Special Adviser to the governor on media and information
technology, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Tsafe, said that “the issue is
with the police and the state government will not say anything again
until the process of acquiring the permit is accomplished”.
A source in Zamfara says once permit is given “distribution to some
'trusted' members of the vigilance groups across the state” will
take place.
"...other states were doing it secretly. This has been the practice
in some parts of this country, particularly when one looks at the
situation in the Niger Delta. Who arms the militants in that area
who are also civilians?”
Some states legislatures are currently deliberating on the issue
with a view to making a law backing similar projects. The Nigeria
'Grooving' Governors’ Forum (NGF) is currently working on how to
come up with a common decision on the issue...interesting they are
at least ‘working’ on ‘something’.
The Senate discussed the matter via a motion and rejected it, urging
President Goodluck Jonathan to stop Zamfara state saying doing so
could jeopardize the security situation in the state.
Senate argued that the move could provide access to arms by groups
that are neither trained nor authorized to bear arms. But isn't it
the case in the republic...
Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa (ANPP, Zamfara), said that he has spoken
with Governor Yari who told him that he did not purchase arms for
the vigilante. Who is lying?
Senator Magnus Abe (PDP, Rivers), said it would be wrong for the
Senate to condemn the action based on mere newspaper publication.
How did it get to the newspapers?
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (PDP, Borno), said there was nothing
wrong for Nigerians to own guns so long as they obtain it legally.
Is he the same Ndume, very innocent until proven otherwise, I agree
with him.
Deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, said the security situation
in Zamfara state as “very worrisome” as he alleged that bandits were
taking advantage of the weakness of the security agencies to
perpetrate evil. The republic is sadly growing...
Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on
Intelligence and National Security, noted that Yari had purchased
the arms before seeking the Inspector General of Police’s
permission. Who do we believe, in Nigeria-tude, it’s simply a case
of, your faith, ethnicity, political camp, the rest is
inconsequential.
He said, “The truth is that the governor has acquired the arms and
ammunition; he now approached the IG to grant him permission. Why is
it so easy for anybody to acquire arms without hindrance? We have to
do all we can to put a stop to illegal acquisition of arms.”
Senator Ali Ndume said that "armed criminals easily assailed
Nigerians because they did not have guns. One wonders, what
argument, but again speaks volumes about democracy and free speech,
a pot pourri of 'magana banza', 'otito oro' and 'akuko onye ara'. He
added that, "with arms, curtailing the activities of criminals can
be easier".
His comment also that some senators had guns had to be withdrawn,
after the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, noted that the
allegation was sweeping and unfounded. Withdrawn or not, it had
already been made, that is the Nigeria-tude, what makes the republic
of ombatse.
The issue of state police was touched, but I will take Senator
Victor Lar's comments "...all these are as a result of the
frustration in the polity as many governors were wishing to have
state police, noting that they were more concerned about regime
security and not national security.
“We should resist the temptation of arming local militias in the
face of the insecurity problems..." He concluded.
These men represent Nigerians whether we elected them, or they
selected themselves, this one topic shows us how divided we are, it
paints the picture that is in front of us. Reading in between the
lines tells it all.
Nigerians are dying, others are arming, preparing--while we discuss,
Rotimi Amaechi and his palm wine quarrels with NGF, Mrs. Jonathan
and his family the PDP. The local shenanigans called APC or
opposition are crying over everything from their name and doing
nothing, than a dangerous building a conglomeration of ex-this and
that.
Whether the arms are being bought secretly or openly, they are being
bought anyway, sadly even Senators are not left out in the 'buying
thing'. The fact is if the snake doesn't show its character, its
snake-ness, it will be used as a waist belt by a child. We are
simply in a Republic of Ombatse...where it leads us to--only time
will tell.
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