Date Published: 02/25/10

Nigerian Heal Thyself 2, Chiedozie Hez, 25 th February, 2010 By Chiedozie Hez

A few months ago, I wrote the first series of ‘Nigeria Heal Thyself’, which was kindly published by Sahara reporters. Many thanks to all those who read and emailed their remarks. Greater appreciations go to people who applied themselves to the facts pointed out in the article.

Last November, Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua took ill and spent the past three months in Saudi Arabia which eventually ended yesterday with the highly secretive return just after midnight.

During his absence, Nigerians watched, prayed and waited for their President while a very hot political tussle ensued. The Senate, House of Representatives and the Federal Executive Council resorted to various highly irresponsible approaches to resolve the vacuum problem. Nigeria has a constitution and we all these individuals are educated enough to read (if they have the time) and understand (if they have the capacity) but chose to ignore it.

At this time, it was obvious that all it takes to be a criminal in Nigeria is tell the truth. But the real criminals are those vultures who have engaged in all sorts of manoeuvres to ensure that their source of looting stays open. Some newspapers engaged in propaganda, the ruling party proclaimed that there is no vacuum, South East Governors Forum declared that there was no vacuum, FEC quickly became professors of medicine and declared the President fit even though nobody had seen him since he left Nigeria. There was enough money to go round and keep the mouths shut. Several trips were made to Saudi Arabia at the taxpayers’ expense with nobody ever seeing the president and no sound reason to explain that.

Dr Jonathan only became Acting President when the people protested, thanks to Save Nigeria Group and many other groups who joined the fight for justice, and this proves that truly a good or bad Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians.

And yesterday, it ended with no pictures of the president. Mr. Yar’Adua’s statement referred to Dr Jonathan as ‘Vice President’ thereby showing clear disregard for law(Senate and House of Representatives are you listening?), and a minister said that Jonathan will be meeting with Mrs Yar’Adua. Whatever this means is yet to be understood. Why are they hiding the President? Who is hiding the President? What is their motive?

Surely, this is the time for us all (Students, Workers, Moslem and Christian Ministers, Labour Unions, Save Nigeria Group, Opposition Parties) to head back to the streets and protest this dis-respect to our nation, Nigeria as we have no other. The choice of doing nothing will be disastrous. We are not helpless and Nigeria can achieve greatness but not before forcing the people in government to accept that they are answerable to Nigerians and not to their pockets and Godfathers.

Other countries with investments in Nigeria are closely watching events in Nigeria, Niger Delta groups are back in business and our nation is in danger. It is Nigerians’ responsibility to speak up and speak out since the people who are supposed to speak are busy seeking selfish gains while their house burns.

Nigerians should demand clarity about who is in charge of the government. News that soldiers were mobilized without the Acting President’s knowledge is treasonable. This should be investigated and if confirmed perpetrators should be made to face the law. Senate and House of Representatives should rise and defend the constitution they swore to protect or be ready to face the consequence of their inaction.

The best medicine Nigeria needs now is Nigerians but not the only medicine. If Nigerians continue to stay dumb either of two things will happen. One, the military will take over and drag us back 20 years or we get the Iraqi solution (remember we have oil and loads of natural resources).

History will judge us both on our action and inaction. Our children will ask questions and suffer, though it seems remote but Nigeria may be no more. Finally our creator will judge us. Nigeria heal thyself again I say heal thyself!!

Chiedozie Hez

Chiedozie.hez@gmail.com