Constructive Engagement On Nigeria Polity (A Response To David Eboh)

By

Prince Charles Dickson

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 First I had written the essay "For The Opposition In Nigeria: Is It All Over?" In that simple question lay the summary of my entire piece, I had asked if there was hope for the Nigerian opposition given its lukewarm attitude, I examined the traditional sellout that characterized members of the Nigerian opposition.

I looked at it in a SWOT manner, I was careful not to sound pessimistic but emphasized on the need for rethink. It was that essay which David Eboh responded too, and I must say in a most mature manner.

Let me quickly say that David Eboh is the name of this friend in London and I use the word friend in all ramifications because he is one of those rare breed that still believes in this our nation despite all. He shares a passion that is fast eroding us that things can and will get better. Incidentally we have never met, but I have had the privilege of reading him, speaking with him on phone and sometimes how much more do we need to know a man than the weight, depth and emotions behind his writing and speech.

In tackling me on that particular essay my dear David broke down what I see as valid points and some which I see in different light...So kindly enjoy David and I in this little exposition.

David clearly stated and I quote him "First, I must state that a President elect has emerged from the 2007 election or selection as some may term it. But we have a leader in waiting who, irrespective of rigging, has as much, if not better credibility as any other contestant to rule Nigeria . As an individual, I have my strong believe that on a free and fair contest, Musa Yar'adua would beat the first and second runner ups in the election under their various party banners".

I agree completely with David that Yar'adua has possibly the best credibility, on my money I would not have cast my vote for Atiku, nor Orji, Bafarawa nor a Sunny Okogwu. Buhari is a man I admire, although his human rights record is one that has not helped matters and the fact that I also think that he may have been past his best. That apart, in Utomi could have been a choice but yet again Nigeria is not yet ready for the intelligentsia approach to politics, in this Utomi lost.

My dear David, on the subject of Yar'adua beating Buhari hands free that is widely debatable but then I accept fully that Yar'adua between the Devil, the deep red sea and an inability to swim, he stands the better of all. However on principal I say that robbery is robbery whoever benefits or whoever commits. The election largely was such and except when morality is debated then a consensus may change until then I maintain that Yar'adua is standing on a moral time bomb, he will achieve in this order, marginally success, abyssal failure or success.

David asked that "We must not confuse the case of Governorship elections with that of the Presidency, as it is obvious that some of the winners in that contest neither have the popularity nor the credibility to win an election or have the appropriate skills, quality, knowledge and work experience to lead with clear vision and determination to achieve tangible goals with mark of sustainable positive legacies".

In responding I agree that there should be no confusion about the gubernatorial contest and that of the Presidency. I agree on...credibility, knowledge, work experience, Yar'adua has but ironically too I fault him on popularity. Time will tell regarding his ability to achieve tangible goals. If Obj failed, Yar'adua must prove that he is not the clone of Obj, the fact that he has said he will be reforming Baba's reforms speaks volume and we wait to see.

David opined that, "rigging and cheating have become aspect of Nigerians ego, from classroom to public office, and from internet (419) room to contract award and execution. I can categorically state that each of the political parties had the intention to rig and none is a saint or novice in the game. Most of the members of the different political parties were major characters and actors in the electoral success that brought PDP into power in 1999, which was also disputed with allegation of not being free or fair. Among them are members of the Houses of Senate and Representative and they had the opportunity of proposing motions to debate and find solutions for organizing free and fair elections; and most importantly for making INEC completely independent of any specific authority, but they failed to do that".

Gbam like the Igbos would say. Gaskiya you have spoken the truth, 'otitu koro' meaning the truth is bitter. I could not have agreed less. I was privy to cases in my coverage of the elections where the AC, ANPP and others were equally as culpable as the 'ruining', pardon I mean ruling PDP. It was a survival of the "riggest' (my word: meaning the best in rigging). What you said above is the sad story of leadership, politics and governance in Nigeria and my prayer often is that we live to see that change.

Thirdly, David accused Nigerians by stating that "we as Nigerians and followers like to blame others for the failings in our system of governance without taking responsibility for our roles in the systems failures. At any time when a leader emerges, he or she comes from among us (the followers). When he becomes rich overnight from stealing our public money, we start singing their praises and pray for their good health and long life, which they will have anyway from good medical care and treatment overseas. They ignore the health services in Nigeria so that the rest can be weakened by diseases and illness. With the public money they send their relatives and families of girlfriends the best schools abroad while the ones at home are left to wither away like a dying flame. Then the custodian of the royal offices proceeds in their dozens to commence the award of chieftaincy titles to them, most of which are not merited.

Not everyone is guilty as charged in this praise singing attitude, but I must say that certainly the Nigerian Media is the worst among culprits and poverty of the mind plays a big role. Likewise the traditional society too, which has lost value and morals, so chieftaincy titles are based on the highest bidder and all sorts of mundane considerations. And then we refuse to face realities. I once asked these leaders that send kids abroad did they not school in the same structures they now despise? It is the fallout that will tell, peaceful or otherwise possibly in the nearest future the people will revolt. Until then the scenario as described by David would continue.

And I quickly add in cases of protest and the attitude, lets not forget the quality of political education that the Nigerian masses possess. They do not know beyond their suffering, they watch but really see nothing often their vented anger still bounces back on them. How do we have again an educated middle class that acts as a bridge in catapulting the social protest process.

This class was destroyed by the IBB years and so today, we simply have the rich and poor, educated and uneducated. No bridge, attitudinal understanding is conflicting, so we see crisis of distortion in places like Oyo with Adedibu despite all the intellects, we notice an Uba in the sea of Alex Ekueme. We must rise beyond this defense however, if we are to grow and make progress.

I agreed with the next paragraphs of David's response until he made the following assertion..."President Obasanjo may have made some mistakes. Even Tony Blair admitted that he too may have made some mistakes and take some unpopular decisions, but if errors of judgement were made with best intention of the people they lead, the society, the leaders, followers and oppositions must analyze the situation and learn something from it in order to improve and prevent recurrence of future bad decisions". To this I completely disagree because a mistake is considered from the 'Blair analysis' when leadership humbles itself and accepts such. It is on record that even when Ministers and officials sought understanding and in cases accepted that they erred in some of their actions, the man Baba has reiterated that he was the Guru and made no mistake. This attitude is unfortunate but in Baba's case it is just Baba as he is, a man that believes that he knows all. Eboh believed that "From the way some people interpret things, the opposition through the media presented the good work of EFCC in dim light, yet all the politicians indicated they would keep EFCC if elected.

They talked of selective arrest and yet not many of those prosecuted by EFCC came out strong with declaration of innocence. The most popular statement was, 'I am victim of selective persecution by the President'. The public seems to be the fool all the time because; we stand on the side of the crooks when the angels are at work". He reiterated that "Public office thieves are worst than armed robbers, and anyone disgraced through arrest and successful prosecution is worth more than twenty on the loose.

This is the reason governors, police chief; contractors etc that have been jailed or worn the handcuff must be seen as criminals in the same way we see robbers and muggers. And we must praise the courage of President Obasanjo and the determination of Ribadu. I agree with this assertion but strongly feel that there was also room for the EFCC to have applied due process and also that it was not completely fair, this though I thought was natural judging by Obasanjo's character but by and large was the EFCC has and will play a positive part in our growing democracy with a little of this here and that there.

You said that "Apart from Pat Utomi, whose credibility for strategic management, vision, exposure and analytical skills is of high regards to international standard, most of those in opposition are like conglomerates of strange bed fellows whose gravitational force is to remove or reduce the power of PDP. I watched in vain and listened hard without hearing a word of expressly stated manifestos, party ideology or philosophy or specific policies direction. The campaigns were marred by rhetoric with no credible substance for people that want to lead for national or state interest. Many campaigned more from abroad to the group that have no stake in the voting process and none was forceful about Nigerians in Diaspora voting in their country's election. Some undermined our national integrity in the ways they were begging for recognition from foreign governments. If these people attained political offices, their priority would be to satisfy their foreign masters at the expense of Nigerians". Sad commentary, but this again is not new, as I have often said that Nigerians learn in a slow motion and forget in a fast whirlwind...The run up to the election was no different from what we had in 1979, 1999, 2003 and even the popular free and fair elections of June 12 was same. I have often asked what was Abiola's agenda and how free and fair was an election in which people were largely induced by the flaggerbasting wealth of MKO, salt, fish and wrapper. Yar'adua spoke well of decaring a State of Emergency on the Power sector but now all he has done as to assembly the same crop that has hardly been able to produce a working blueprint for another jamboree stakeholders' meeting. Shame on us on this! Many of the opposition have done the honourable thing by conceding defeat and promising to join hands with the government to move the country while reserving their right to oppose bad policies and unbeneficial decisions. I would encourage the aggrieved politicians at the state for governorship elections to still go to court if they feel strong about their position about the unfair electoral processes. I believe in the courts, which have in recent time demonstrated potency of the judiciary and have delivered verdicts that were unpopular for the executive arm of government. But the court decisions must be respected in order for the country to move on.

David it is difficult to concede to defeat in this parts, even if Yar'adua had won fairly and convincingly, rats, goats and mosquitoes in the opposition would grumble. My dear David unfortunately how many of these failed Governors feel strong about their position, even Atiku is not sure of his case that much I can say. We have simply been reduced to docile acceptance not by fate, nor destiny but by choice. In his opinion regarding the opposition David said "Being in opposition does not mean disagreeing with everything the government does. It also does not mean attacking the leaders as individuals instead of their policies. As followers, we must call the balance and not just fall like fools on the side of opposition when a leader demonstrates intention for good leadership. On this basis, if Vice President Atiku has gone abroad because the kitchen has become too hot for comfort, and his departure would prevent it from overheating, he has shown he is a peace lover and have the interest of Nigeria at heart. It is no use stalling the structural, systems and economic engine of a whole country like Nigeria for narrow personal interest in the name of standing as opposition. This is well said if the motive is right and I solidly agree that it is actually in the best interest of peace that such people as Atiku are not around for now. However for me both Objoke and Athiefku squandered an opportunity to both have become the Napoleon Bonaparte of Nigeria. Unbiased fact they tried but woefully they failed to lift this nation.

I agree with David and conclude with him that the rule of the opposition should be clearly established and we have another opportunity of looking at the constitution again in order for popular amendments to be made, for promotion of universal national identity, labour migration across the country, skills and knowledge training and development and a government that takes into account our traditional values and cultures. Enough of American or British systems of government; and time for Nigerian originated system of government. Made abroad is not always better than made in Nigeria if we can put our minds to make things better for all. To David, Nigerians, and those that believe, let us not give up, we shall overcome, Almighty Allah help us.