Transition blues

Life is dynamic. And to this extent, transition is an integral part of our existence. And if our collective experience is anything to go by, transition is also fraught with indices like danger and anxiety. The famous Babangida transition embodied these interesting indices. It was so interesting that, courtesy of our mutual friend in Minna, transition virtually became an end in itself. In those days, an oxymoronic phrase like “permanent transition” was invented.

In contemporary times, transition, as genuine as it appears to be, comes with blues or hangovers, if you like. Such transitions are being accompanied by some very unusual reactions. Let’s begin with what is arguably the most visible transition – the transition of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the post-presidential phase. The transition was initiated in the context of grace and magnanimity that are rare in these parts. The thinking was that these features will continue to hallmark this transition. But no. Our man, GEJ, has been showing none of these. For how else can we describe the spate of sackings in the injury-time phase of the Jonathan presidency? Not to worry. My own folks in Abeokuta in their eternal wisdom have summed up GEJ’s blues along the following lines: the white man’s exit is usually accompanied by the soiling of the chair. And I will like to tell you that in effecting this translation, I am really being euphemistic! Thus, the former IGP and those who have had to contend with GEJ’s injury-time sackings should take note and understand. Whatever has been done to them can easily be explained in the context of GEJ’s transition blues.

Incidentally, GEJ is not the only social force that is undergoing transition hangovers. Very much the same can be said for his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). After 16 years in power, the party in power (PIP) at the centre is transiting to a new phase of the party in opposition. As human beings, we all dread the unknown. So, what to do? Some apparently wise members of the PIP have decided that they would have nothing to do with the wintry life of opposition. Thus, they have simply decided to move over to the new PIP. If the reader must know, the popular phrase for this is defection. Such perfidy is not unusual in these parts, however. Indeed, one of our colleagues has an apt phrase for it: politics of the belly.

Transition blues are also occurring with our president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. It is pertinent to remember that our man was once a General. In his own way, he is having to transit from a military president to its civilian equivalent. Clearly, he forgot that he was in this transition mode. So the blues came calling for him on sighting the AIT crew. He would have none of these folks. But then, times have changed. This is a civilian administration. Consequently, our friends in the All Progressives Congress (APC) quickly recognised the faux pas for what it is worth, and the General and his aides were countermanded. So, all is well that ends well as regards this particular transition and the attendant blues.

Of course, the APC is also contending with its own share of transition. The heady fumes of power are in the air. The dining table is set, or appears to be. The crockery is already clanging. But how will the food of power be shared? We refer here to specifics like ministerial appointments and the Senate presidency. It is not easy as regards who gets what. There are already hints and dark threats from the various forces who constitute the subsequent phase of our country’s history. As it is, geo-strategic blocks are already emerging. They are saying it loud and clear that “it is our turn to eat”. The omniscient voter is bound to wonder as regards the Hobson’s choice that he has to contend with. Yesterday’s men look very similar to today’s men. If care is not taken, the transition from Transformation to Change may turn out to be illusory. Incidentally, this happens to be the people’s share of the transition blues.

But then, there is hope. This hope can only be realised if the voter and other regular Joes like me appreciate that democracy is not a spectator-sport. If the new men coming into power turn out to be false like their predecessors, let us criticise them on a consistent basis, and if possible, vote them out as we did recently.

In my own opinion, this is about the only way to mitigate any transition hangover from the PDP to the APC. Moreover, dear reader, let your imagination roam. Another solution could well be beyond these two political parties. How about a third force? And please, I want to be clear here, I am not talking about the army!

Kayode Soremekun