Date Published: 09/28/09
A NIGERIAN REVOLUTIONARY LEADERSHIP MUST BE FORMED NOW By Dr. Salisu Tofa
I have over the years watched with great admiration the efforts of Nigerians as Omoyele Sowore, Kayode Ogundamisi, Nuhu Ribadu, Henry Okah and Okey Ndibe just to mention a few. They have rattled the illegitimate government of Umaru Yar’Adua individually through their respective write-up, civil action, statements et cetera. Can you then imagine what collateral damage they can collectively do when they pursue a tangible active patriotic action? I have great news for them: It is high time gentlemen to form a government even in exile. This government will serve three essential purposes. First, it will provide a model of how government is supposed to function in Nigeria. Second, it will reveal to the international community the illegitimate power the current government wields. Third, it will eventually lead to the enthronement of a people oriented government as the current corrupt and illegitimate one will collapse.
EARLY PROCESS
All groups and individuals who have been hitting this government hard should immediately aggregate. I refer to groups as Nigeria Liberty Forum led by Kayode Ogundamisi, Sahara reporters team led by Omoyele Sowore, Nuhu Ribadu, Nasir El Rufai, et cetera. Once they have merged, they must then formulate an action plan by first setting up a movement. I suggest the name, Patriotic Nigerians for Nigeria Movement (PNNM). The movement should have a cabinet based in United States of America or UK, operating first as shadow government. My recommended list of cabinet is given as follows:
Nuhu Ribadu – President: Due to his popularity in Nigeria, international respect and contact, I have no doubt that this gentleman will successfully lead a team that will prove to the international community that there are Nigerians who are corrupt-free, who are capable of providing good governance to the people.
Omoyele Sowore – Vice President and Information Secretary: This indefatigable and irrepressible Nigeria will not only complement Nuhu’s efforts at the helm but has all it takes to be the mouth piece of the government to the outside world. His Sahara reporters’ online website is the authentic news media for many informed Nigerians. I have no doubt that with his wealth of experience, skill and investigative prowess, he will not only dwarf Mrs. Dora Akunyili but also expose the under belly of this illegitimate and under achieving government.
Kayode Ogundamisi - Foreign Affairs & Referendum Secretary: The Nigeria Liberty Forum has become a vicious thorn in the flesh of not only the Yar Adua government but also corrupt Nigerians. Its mobilization pedigree is second to none exemplified from the way it ‘deported’ Nigeria’s Attorney General of Fraud, Michael Aondoakaa when he embarked on that infamous trip to scuttle Ibori’s trial in London. It also ensured Olusegun Obasanjo’s harrowing experience when he visited the country. However, Kayode Ogundamisi’s job in this to be formed cabinet is two fold. While continuing the embarrassment of government officials abroad and projecting a good image for Nigeria, he will also rally the opposition back home through his highly efficient network. Legitimacy must be conferred on the revolutionary government through a referendum whereby Nigerians will have to choose between the government at home and the one abroad. I am cocksure that once an outlet is provided electronically for Nigerians to express where they stand; millions of excited Nigerians will not hesitate to identify with the government in Diaspora. The avalanche and influx of emails into the referendum database will prove that the Yar Adua government is one unto itself and for itself without any true authority and legitimacy.
Furthermore, Kayode should formulate a very good Nigerian foreign policy to provide a blueprint for the revolutionary government and Nigerians. Ojo Maduaekwe will immediately appreciate the fact that he is bereft of ideas but rich in grandstanding and loquaciousness. It should not surprise you when the incompetent Yar Adua government extends its copycat abilities to kowtowing to this to be formulated brilliant foreign policy to be articulated by the Nuhu Ribadu revolutionary government.
Henry Okah – Niger Delta Development Secretary: The structural development and job creation in the Niger Delta, which this government has continued to pay lip service, should be the portfolio of this good Nigerian who refused to budge and compromise his principles. Assisted back home by Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, Henry will have the opportunity to provide Nigeria with a marshal plan for the transformation of the Delta. The blueprint to be articulated will expose the illegitimate government’s pretentious posture towards developing the Niger Delta. The plan will show that the task of Niger Delta development can be achieved through a committed and purposeful implementation of a good plan. Henry and his team, which can include expatriates, will then point out how jobs can be created for the teeming millions of youth who have been constantly neglected despite the charade of an amnesty.
Nasir El Rufai – Education Secretary: It is regrettable that our University students are still at home for this long while someone who says he presides over us gallivants to Saudi Arabia to attend the opening of a University there. What a sad paradox! It will take a maverick to deal with the problems of the education sector once and for all. The name that quickly comes to mind is none other than Nasir El Rufai. He should teach Sam Egwu to run the educational sector. Let him learn that adequately funding the universities is a duty not largesse to lecturers.
MOSHOOD FAYEMIWO – State Secretary: This well informed Nigerian should serve the revolutionary government dutifully as its secretary of state. Among other functions, he should reveal the names of corrupt and criminally minded Nigerians who have committed atrocities and deserve to be in jail. A full compilation of bad Nigerians who had served and are still serving this illegitimate government should be made. We can not move forward if they are not exposed and shamed. Together with the Justice Secretary and Attorney General, they must immediately file charges against them in international courts where they can be served justice. As the secretary of State, Moshood must set up a strong machinery of government, which must endure enough to see out the current usurpers of people power masquerading as leaders in Abuja.
FEMI FALANA - ATTORNEY GENERAL AND JUSTICE SECRETARY: Femi must realize that he can only fight this government effectively from without and not from within. He has to join his compatriots abroad to begin the revolution that will once and for all free Nigerians. This has been the struggle of his life together with the likes of late Gani Fawehinmi, late Beko Ransome Kuti, Alfred Rewane, Bola Ige, Anthony Enahoro, et cetera. There is no doubt that those noble men will smile at him from the grave once he decides to join the revolutionary government. There are numerous cases awaiting his prosecution in international courts against those who have held us down for this long.
Wole Soyinka – Labour, Retirees Affairs, Youth and Women Empowerment Secretary: This forthright, respected and good Nigerian still have a lot left in his tank. Wole is an intelligent man and therefore will easily understand that he will be better off dying while pursuing a cause he believes in than enjoying his last days in an oppressed Nigeria. Like a true warrior, he should die fighting. This is why he has to join this government not only to play the role mentioned above but also to become the senior adviser and conscience of the movement. He will be able to show Nigerians how the veterans should retire happy and contented as government rewards them adequately. The neglect of the youth and women will also gradually become a thing of the past as I trust him to fashion out ways through which they can be empowered. It is time someone started pointing out to pretentious rulers that the one way towards the building of a great Nigeria is to take care of the old and equip the young ones and our women. Wole Soyinka can do this effortlessly.
Jomo Gbomo- Defence and Interior Secretary: Jomo Gbomo is a cancer in the body of Nigeria’s illegitimate body. Every member of this revolutionary government cannot operate only from the outside; there is also the need for a cabinet member within. Who else than the most elusive but highly efficient Jomo? He should become the pivot for a concerted and articulated effort at enthroning good leadership at home. He is to serve as the coordinator of efforts at home while providing cover from any cabinet member who decides to visit Nigeria, the Nuhu Ribadu style whenever the need arises.
Okey Ndibe – Commerce and Special Duties Secretary: This prominent Nigerian has the capacity to provide the blueprint for a sustainable development of Nigeria’s commerce and industry while also discharging special duties assigned to him.
Bartholomew Nnaji – Health Secretary: The secretary of health should also be appointed by Ribadu to design a blue print for developing health sector and showing how Nigeria can cope with problems bordering on health. There is no doubt that the present cabinet set up by the usurper government is bloated and unnecessarily big. Rather than Ministers, we should have secretaries in the revolutionary government who should run their various departments. Let the impostors try to implement the blueprints of their rivals in Diaspora as so far, the government as constituted has shown its incompetence, visionless and purposeless rulership.
SECOND PHASE OF THE REVOLUTION
In line with the revolutionary action, a truly Nigerian Constitution must come into being, published and distributed within and outside the country. Let Nigerians choose between a constitution they have an input and one that has been imposed on them. Memoranda will be sent to the email of the revolutionary government while the submissions from the Independent National Conference should be considered for integration. Issues as fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, regional governments, state police, electoral reform and other such important issues must be thoroughly debated with resolutions imbued with the new constitution to be published and distributed to all Nigerians all over the world. That will be the true Nigerian constitution outlasting the fraudulent one in use.
The revolutionary government in Diaspora must then begin to relate to Nigerians directly through various media outlets: Radio Kudirat, Sahara reporters and Nigeria Liberty Television. All machinery of propaganda and information must be used to inform and sensitize Nigerians from all works of life. The true government of the people must declare June 12 of every year Democratic Day. Men as Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Chinua Achebe, Beko Ransome Kuti and Alfred Rewane should be conferred true national honours different from OFR, GCON and MON. In the places of these tainted honours, we should have Patriarch of Great Nigeria (PGN) Fighter for a Free Nigeria (FFN) and Hero or Heroine of Nigeria (HON). Through reverse leadership, the revolutionary government must operate independently as the one and only government oblivious of the pretenders in Abuja and the states. Their rules will eventually be obeyed by majority of Nigerians and it is legitimacy that counts in the end. They should be present at UN General Assembly at least they will not have any rival president there in attendance and other international meetings. When they run into the pretenders in Abuja, they should let them know who enjoys more popularity back home and in abroad. They should make the pretenders very uncomfortable and with them the usurpers will know their place in the scheme of things and begin to fold especially when the third phase of the revolution is actualized.
THIRD PHASE OF THE REVOLUTION
The third phase of this revolution will involve the citizenry. It will be the time for Nigerians to demonstrate to the powers that be that they are the real sovereign powers who decides who runs the government and who does not. Through measures as civil disobedience, picketing and procession, they should call for a referendum to be conducted by the United Nations to determine, which of the two governments should administer ruler ship over the country.
Once we have two governments in place, the centre will no longer hold and every good friend of Nigeria will be agitated and seek a resolution of the impasse. Only Nigerians will have the opportunity to decide their fate and given the two groups making up the rival governments, it will not be surprising when the usurpers are eventually thrown out leading to a government we are proud of as Nigerians. Only then can we raise our heads in the comity of nations with dignity and respect.
The write-up and campaign against corruption is inadequate. The time for action is now; let the revolutionary government be formed now so the action can begin. It is high time Nigeria is reclaimed by patriotic Nigerians irrespective of where they live. Let us unite to fight the impostors in government.
