Varsity dons bemoan weak political opposition in Nigeria

…Charge Nigerians to demand accountability from democratic institutions

University lecturers have bemoaned weak political opposition in Nigeria, saying that the nation does not have political parties and people who are committed to the idea which are alternatives to what the government is doing, and to probe it.

Two scholars, Mobujaolu Olufunke Okome, professor of political Science at Brooklyn College, and Chidi Odinkalu, professor of Practice at Tufts University, were discussants at a webinar themed, ‘The Christmas Day Reckoning: Tracking Justice and Change since the US Airstrikes in Nigeria’ put together by the Conflict Research Network, West Africa (CORN) and The Africa Disruptions Lab (TADLab) and moderated by CORN West Africa’s Director, Timipere Allison.

The duo asserted that there has been little or no accountability from the federal government, as well as key institutions of democratic governance, that should speak to Nigerians concerning the attacks and the consequences, as well as the unintended consequences of the attacks.

They noted that the Nigerian government needs to talk to Nigerians on why the so-called precision bombing landed in locations that were not among those listed as targeted.

They emphasised the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show more care for the security of lives and properties, adding that Nigeria should look beyond the immediate intervention of America concerning Nigeria’s insecurity.

They reasoned that the ultimate goal of America may be to control Nigeria with a view to controlling Africa once Nigeria hands over its duties to a foreign government.

Odinkalu stated: “Every aspect of the presidency can be delegated except the role of Commander-in-Chief. When it comes to military activities, guaranteeing public safety and security, and the protection of the public. There is only one person who can do that even if they are on a life support machine. That role cannot be delegated, as long as they’ve not been certified dead.”

He continued: “A president should have…said something; it would have made an acknowledgement of this incident. No, then I go back to the sequence. After that incident, Anthony Joshua, the Nigerian boxer, or the Nigerian-British heavyweight boxer, was involved in a quite tragic accident not far from Lagos. The president actually called him and condoled with him and issued a public statement. Chimamanda Adichie, the famous Nigerian author, had this tragic thing involving her child. The president issued a public statement. And he made a choice not to acknowledge [the U.S. strikes]”

Odinkalu said a major problem in Nigeria is that which is associated with opposition politics, which, according to him, is the reason the government is getting away with treating the lives of Nigerians with such levity.

He also blamed this situation on the absence of serious political opposition. And there’s a limit to what civics can do when you don’t have political alternatives. And, you know, when you look at that spectrum of options available, it’s worse than disappointing. Because there is so much of an own goal here, and I hear what my sister says about everybody being on his mandate. The only problem is that there are no strikers willing to shoot on the political opposition side. And I do think that at some point, also, we’ve got to start holding the opposition accountable.”

On her part, Okome said, “Apart from presidency, I say the National Assembly is signalling that they don’t care. And by this, I mean the two houses, because nothing has been done by them. The key institutions in Nigeria that have the constitutional responsibility to be concerned and to put foremost the interest of the Nigerian people and their security and well-being, have shown us through their silence that they don’t care.”

Both panellists however, advocated for justice for the civilian victims of the bombings and demanded transparency in victim support concerning the civilian areas where the bombs landed.

They warned Nigeria to be careful in embracing America without a critical understanding of their unspoken intentions.

“Are people just supposed to be treated as collateral damage in the usual way that happens when America sends its precision bombs into Global South locations? Then, who has been held responsible? Nobody! No investigations, as I said before, no damage assessments have been done, or they haven’t made it public, “Professor Okome submitted.

“If nobody else cares, we should care. There should be general outcry. Do you know that there are still demonstrations and protests in Venezuela, but Nigerians are sitting quietly? The Christians are very happy because they see President Trump as their Cyrus. He has come to save them. Other people are probably scared. But why is it that what happens in Nigeria is not of enough concern for us to even voice out our objection to being so treated. Now, if this is about rescuing Christians, Christmas Day should be sacred. Why is it okay that it is on Christmas Day that somebody comes in your name, Christians of Nigeria, to strike at your country. And it’s okay to you. You are celebrating. This is your saviour?” she asked.