“Negative perception about Nigeria is generated by Nigerians because we do not believe in ourselves…If nothing is done, the image we have as a country where nothing works; with failing leadership, it becomes a liability.”
-Prof. Dora Akunyili (of blessed memory) April, 2009.
The personalisation of political power by a few favoured policy makers remains one of the fratricidal, fundamental flaws overtly undermining Nigeria’s current variant of democracy. Unfortunately, it has been exhibited through the political altercation worsening by the day between the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara. Sadly, the abhorrent flexing of political muscles, the chasing of shadows of might-is-right, reminiscent of jungle features has led to the destruction of valuable public property worth millions of naira and the loss of precious human lives.
All these querulous issues bring to the front burner the questionable roles of both non-state actors and the weakening of other institutions that should be significant in strengthening our democratic values. A few news headlines paint part of the gory pictures of the Rivers state crisis: ‘IGP orders immediate withdrawal of personnel from Rivers LGAs.’ But why? We are compelled to ask. Next was: ‘Police absent as Rivers LGA offices are littered with dead bodies amidst violence.’ That was closely followed by: ‘Police silent as thugs unleash violence on LG secretariats.’ And another one was: ‘Newly sworn-in Rivers LG Chairmen flee amid Wike-Fubara feud as violence turns deadly.’
As the tension-flaring and blood-letting spectacle unfolds, more like a scene out of a heart-wrenching, midnight horror film, it triggers the question of what manner of democracy are we practising here in Nigeria? While Wike must have supported and perhaps, partly sponsored Fubara to victory at the gubernatorial polls in 2023 does that make Rivers state his personal estate? Must Fubara kowtow to all his wishes, whims and caprices, whether they are in the interest of the state or not? In fact, not a few Nigerians are asking that:”After having spent eight years as the governor of the oil-rich Rivers state, what does Wike want again?” The question is his to answer.
Furthermore, does political god-fatherism evolve for the national interest, or to undermine democratic principles, when viewed from the larger picture perspective? Yet, these questions are but a pointer to the flaring flame of the dangers of a few political helmsmen mistaking our common patrimony for their self-aggrandizement.
While gleefully cloaked in the glowing gowns of democracy what is masked beneath is the spirit of despotism and dictatorship. The individual sees himself as the be-all and end-all to the local government, state or federal government he is supposed to be the servant-leader to. If allowed a free reign the consequences are dire, for the led majority. That explains the recent warnings offered by former President Goodluck Jonathan, elder statesman, Bode George, as well as the notable Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
With regards to Jonathan, an international Peace Envoy who described peaceful elections as the cornerstone of democracy has called on the judiciary to forestall a breakdown of law and order. On his part, Bode George described the crisis with terms such as “despotic”, ” divisive”, “wicked” and “anti-people design.” In fact, he reminded Wike that even if he contributed to Fubara’s electoral victory, some other people must have done a similar thing for him and did not browbeat or breathe down his neck as he has been doing to his successor. And Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has similarly called on Wike to concentrate on his duties in Abuja and give Fubara a free hand to carry out his statutory functions as the governor of Rivers state.
The point of convergence in the warnings given by the trio is the huge potential of the Rivers state crisis degenerating into the re-enactment of the “wild, wild, west” crisis which took place in the defunct Western Region. That was between 1962 and 1966 and eventually led to the first military coup on January 15, 1966.Some key political figures were assassinated resulting in the second coup d’ tat on July 29, 1966 that also claimed the lives of some military officers. Eventually, it sparked off the civil war from July 6, 1967 to January 15, 1970 with over two million priceless lives wantonly wasted. A rehash of that tragedy must not be allowed to play out, this time around. That is the warning, not only to Wike and his allies but all anti-democratic forces waiting in the wings to truncate the current political dispensation.
That brings us to the crying need to learn about the history of the evolution of democracy; the way and manner we practise ours here in Nigeria and of course, the imperative of re-tooling it to favour the people, instead of the political predators and parasites.
For the records, the ancient Greek tribes who founded the city-states and were ruled by kings expelled them because more people wanted to take part in the government. That was about 700 B.C. According to H. A. Clement, the author of ‘The Story of the Ancient World’ monarchy gave way to aristocracy, when a few of the wealthy noble family ruled. Yet, the people were dissatisfied because the poorer people were maltreated! But is that not the experience of Nigerians as of today? Yes, it is. So, what happened next?
It was about the year 500 B.C. that many of the Greek cities decided to do away with Aristocracy, where a few people ruled. They adopted Democracy which was entirely new. It was the rule of the people, by the people and for the people, whose cities were small enough for all the people to meet to make decisions. The officials took their turns to carry out their duties. Ever since, democracy has evolved through to the less expensive British Parliamentary system with a Prime Minister and a unicameral legislature as well as the American system characterised by a President and bicameral legislature. We have since changed from the former to the latter. But what features have made it anti-people? The answers are obvious for us to see and feel.
A government’s political pedestal that only the rotten-rich can access, with expensive nomination forms propelled by campaigns with listless lies that are never meant to be kept is what we boast off. Add that to the focus on mudslinging and casting aspersions on the persona of the political opponents rather than spelling out the practical steps to be taken to pull the millions of the long-suffering citizens from the ignoble pit of poverty.
And if you have the vision and desire to lead your people on the right path to peace and prosperity but not the financial muscle to actualize your dreams, you have to approach a political godfather whose conditions you have to kowtow to, as Wike must have done with Fubara. The rest of course, is the reprehensible true-life tale unfolding before our eyes!
As the ship of state currently totters; brutally battered by the storms of personalization of political power and greed for gains, we do not need any rocket science to be told to offload the baggage of egoism, giving threats and intimidation to others to become politically relevant. The signs are crystal clear on the horizon for discerning minds to read; so that this ship can sail beyond the ambits of the sea pirates, and safely so to the habour of our collective hope.
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