(Published in the Nigerian Compass on the 8th of June, 2010)
IN another five days, the Nigerian nation will be remembering an event which shook Nigeria to its foundation and as a result, threatened the nomenclature, Nigeria. History has it that Nigeria was a mere marriage of convenience that was orchestrated by the colonial masters who felt that for easier management of the colonies, bringing together dissimilar nations will afford them the opportunity of overseeing the large expanse of land.
The amalgamation of these diverse nationals and nationalities was the beginning of the woes of the current day Nigeria. Citizens of this country now see themselves as Nigerians but first as a northerner or southerner. No matter how good a person is now, he has to wait for the turn of his constituency to assume national political office. If Nigeria were to be what it ought to be, should zoning of the presidency be an ideal thing? If Nigeria were an ideal nation, will Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas be killed in other regions other than theirs? If this country is really a nation and not a mere marriage of convenience, will joining the Armed Forces be on quota? So many questions. Unfortunately, the questions are meant to be answered by the same people who had put us where we are. These people are the post colonial masters or neo-colonial masters. It is a story of 'How Nigerians underdeveloped Nigeria'.
We never had it so good in this country when it comes to election. So when in 1993, General Ibrahim Babangida, who was then the Military President, released the election time table, everybody thought it was going to be business as usual. But we were wrong! The electoral umpire, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, took Nigeria by storm, and changed the calculation of many. All over the country, credible elections were held and when the presidential election held, the electoral strategy of Option A4, it was indeed a beauty to behold. People queued behind their candidates and the votes were counted openly. Nwosu, against all odds, notably a directive from Babangida not to announce the result of the presidential election, went ahead to announce the results, and by the time he had announced up to 14 states and the FCT, he was stopped forcefully. Then, the results had shown that late business mogul and philanthropist, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was in a pole position to win the election. Even his opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, had congratulated the Abeokuta born chief. At that point, Nigeria as a geo-political entity collapsed, and till today, all we have been able to do is window dressing. Like Abiola campaigned, Hope '93 was the only hope left for Nigeria to be redeemed. I told my peers then that it could only get worse. My prediction has come to pass and I am being seen as a prophet now because I could read well where Nigeria was heading for when God was ready to salvage us from shackles of oppression, suppression and depression.
Seventeen years after, the major actors have different fate. While the winner of the election, Abiola, is dead and his family had disintegrated, the 'anuller' is still alive, even wanting to become the president of this 'state'. Nigeria is just a conglomeration of unlike people. What has a Fulani man got to do with an Ijebu person? Or an Ibibio man and an Egba man? Yeah, we should, as a matter of nationalism, clamour for one Nigeria, since we have found ourselves bound together, but the truth must be told that, it will do this country a lot of good if confederalism could be allowed to operate. This will give rise to a situation where a Hausa will first be loyal to his state before being loyal to Nigeria and thereby ensure that his region develops. When a Yoruba sees this, he too will further the development of his region and the Igbo will do same. Whatever that is left will then be given to the centre for mere coordination and not as it is that the centre is lord. Why should a governor go and meet the president in another state because the latter is visiting?
Another advantage this confederalism has is that anytime a confederate state wants to secede, it is free without any holding back. This is the more reason all confederating units will treat one another with respect and the centre will be weakened to the extent that it will not determine what goes on in these units.
June 12 goes beyond a personality as millions of Nigerians lost many things including lives in the struggle to emancipate themselves from dictatorship. I for one, have vowed not to be interested in the in the presidency until my vote in 1993 was made to count, because that was where we lost our chance, and without due respect accorded to June 12 1993, I doubt if we are not going to continue like this. Moreso, the culprit has openly canvased a national mention for the date, it is left to be seen how 'Niger Area' will continue to be one, as being canvassed by those who are benefiting from the marriage. Kudos to Aremo Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who uphold the date as sacrosanct, by declaring it a public holiday in their domains. This shows that some of our leaders are still with the spirit of June 12. That was the day Nigerians stood up to rewrite their destiny, whereas, some people were waiting to scuttle it.
IN another five days, the Nigerian nation will be remembering an event which shook Nigeria to its foundation and as a result, threatened the nomenclature, Nigeria. History has it that Nigeria was a mere marriage of convenience that was orchestrated by the colonial masters who felt that for easier management of the colonies, bringing together dissimilar nations will afford them the opportunity of overseeing the large expanse of land.
The amalgamation of these diverse nationals and nationalities was the beginning of the woes of the current day Nigeria. Citizens of this country now see themselves as Nigerians but first as a northerner or southerner. No matter how good a person is now, he has to wait for the turn of his constituency to assume national political office. If Nigeria were to be what it ought to be, should zoning of the presidency be an ideal thing? If Nigeria were an ideal nation, will Yorubas, Igbos and Hausas be killed in other regions other than theirs? If this country is really a nation and not a mere marriage of convenience, will joining the Armed Forces be on quota? So many questions. Unfortunately, the questions are meant to be answered by the same people who had put us where we are. These people are the post colonial masters or neo-colonial masters. It is a story of 'How Nigerians underdeveloped Nigeria'.
We never had it so good in this country when it comes to election. So when in 1993, General Ibrahim Babangida, who was then the Military President, released the election time table, everybody thought it was going to be business as usual. But we were wrong! The electoral umpire, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, took Nigeria by storm, and changed the calculation of many. All over the country, credible elections were held and when the presidential election held, the electoral strategy of Option A4, it was indeed a beauty to behold. People queued behind their candidates and the votes were counted openly. Nwosu, against all odds, notably a directive from Babangida not to announce the result of the presidential election, went ahead to announce the results, and by the time he had announced up to 14 states and the FCT, he was stopped forcefully. Then, the results had shown that late business mogul and philanthropist, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was in a pole position to win the election. Even his opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, had congratulated the Abeokuta born chief. At that point, Nigeria as a geo-political entity collapsed, and till today, all we have been able to do is window dressing. Like Abiola campaigned, Hope '93 was the only hope left for Nigeria to be redeemed. I told my peers then that it could only get worse. My prediction has come to pass and I am being seen as a prophet now because I could read well where Nigeria was heading for when God was ready to salvage us from shackles of oppression, suppression and depression.
Seventeen years after, the major actors have different fate. While the winner of the election, Abiola, is dead and his family had disintegrated, the 'anuller' is still alive, even wanting to become the president of this 'state'. Nigeria is just a conglomeration of unlike people. What has a Fulani man got to do with an Ijebu person? Or an Ibibio man and an Egba man? Yeah, we should, as a matter of nationalism, clamour for one Nigeria, since we have found ourselves bound together, but the truth must be told that, it will do this country a lot of good if confederalism could be allowed to operate. This will give rise to a situation where a Hausa will first be loyal to his state before being loyal to Nigeria and thereby ensure that his region develops. When a Yoruba sees this, he too will further the development of his region and the Igbo will do same. Whatever that is left will then be given to the centre for mere coordination and not as it is that the centre is lord. Why should a governor go and meet the president in another state because the latter is visiting?
Another advantage this confederalism has is that anytime a confederate state wants to secede, it is free without any holding back. This is the more reason all confederating units will treat one another with respect and the centre will be weakened to the extent that it will not determine what goes on in these units.
June 12 goes beyond a personality as millions of Nigerians lost many things including lives in the struggle to emancipate themselves from dictatorship. I for one, have vowed not to be interested in the in the presidency until my vote in 1993 was made to count, because that was where we lost our chance, and without due respect accorded to June 12 1993, I doubt if we are not going to continue like this. Moreso, the culprit has openly canvased a national mention for the date, it is left to be seen how 'Niger Area' will continue to be one, as being canvassed by those who are benefiting from the marriage. Kudos to Aremo Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who uphold the date as sacrosanct, by declaring it a public holiday in their domains. This shows that some of our leaders are still with the spirit of June 12. That was the day Nigerians stood up to rewrite their destiny, whereas, some people were waiting to scuttle it.
No comments:
Post a Comment