pointblanknews.com

Noble Laureates’ Call for Fresh Poll

I do appreciate the concern of 48 Noble Laureates including Nigerian Wole Soyinka, over their genuine statement criticising electoral fraud in Nigeria. The so-called The Elie Wiesel Foundation (EWF) proposed a conference of national unity by Nigerians, and early elections within 18 months. What they propose is not out of tune because I too believe the elections that produced Yar’Adua was massively rigged thereby raised the question of legitimacy.

However genuine their intention, these eggheads should know they are meddling in the affairs of a people. Personally, I believe Nigerians should not let any foreign groups fight on their behalf. No matter how long it takes, Nigerians should endeavour to do the battle – alone. In fact, I always feel insulted whenever I hear “Project for Africa...US for Africa...U2 for Africa...Bill Gate for Africa…UN for Africa, and other similar propaganda jingles.

This is because all their “efforts” to feed Africa is a satire, a symbol further slavery. It is a way of saying, “let’s do something for these lazy bastards…let’s pretend to be caring for them, so they don’t pollute our environment with massive immigration”. Not long ago, former Hungarian Foreign Minister proclaimed his country's readiness to help Africa. I really do not know what Hungary can do for Nigeria talk less of the entire continent.

It is true there is globalisation but the word in its strict sense does not involve Africa. Just go figure it out. Africa has allowed itself to be a dumping ground, a continent without focus and without visionary leaders. Unfortunately, the so-called western nations do not respect those who do not respect themselves. I have since noticed that Oyinbo manwill respect an African man only if he is more intelligent than him.

Back to Nigerian issue, I think Wole Soyinka, first African Noble Laureate, and others like him are making a tactical error by relying on foreign organisations to fight our battle for us. When will Nigerian intelligentsia realised the fact that these organisations – no matter how much they pretend – do not love us? Even it’s obvious Obasanjo and his ilk love Nigeria more than these foreign groups.

How could you willingly give matches and petrol to someone who wants to burn you alive! How could you confined in someone you know as a parrot? How could you continue to jubilate or dine with people who have constantly shown themselves as your foes? That’s exactly what we did each time we invited these foreign organisations to showcase our battle.

We should not forget that foreign intervention was part of opposition that fought Abacha. What have we gained from such interference? Has it ended our sufferings? Did it stop Nigerian owners from killing Abiola, the acclaimed winner of a “free and fair elections”? In fact, foreign representatives were present when Abiola drank that tea of death. Has it helped us prosecute Babangida and other madcap? Nigerians should stop being naïve. Foreign encumbrance in the affairs of Nigeria has always brought sadness and disappointment. We shouldn’t have forgotten so soon the wahala the British imposed on us.

Apparently, foreign organisations usually think about their own interest first. Anything they do for Nigeria is subject to their own convenience. Nigeria and its people had experienced a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous from these foreign groups, yet we are still tied to their apron. For instance, if they see Yar’Adua as someone who would benefit their interest, they are ever ready to support him, irrespective of how he came to power. They may brag and pretend to be for Nigerians but deep down they do not want stable Nigeria.

Did they not transact business with Shagari’s inept administration? Did they not accept Buhari/Idiagbon brutal regime? Did they not tolerate Babangida’s blatant corruption? Did they not dine with Obasanjo during his wasteful eight years? Did they not provide save haven for corrupt Nigerian politicians? For example, why did the British foil an attempt to repatriate Umaru Dikko, a man wanted for corruption in those days? Why did the British or American government fail to tell Nigerian military that it’s abomination for military to take over?

Although the recent call for early elections in Nigeria by these Noble Laureates is a mixed feeling for me, I would much appreciate it if they allow us to determine our fate. Let them stop spoon feed us. I would rather we starve to death than rely on foreign aids, which in actual fact is a mockery of our existence. It just won’t work. Even I prefer MEND or MASSOB to any foreign intercession.

If I may ask, why do they always interfere in our affairs while we cannot in theirs? Perhaps America respects Iranian president who does not cringe than Nigerian president who is ready to kneel before the White House. Why is it like this? I am tired of these foreign groups poking their nose into our marriage. I am certain of one thing though. Britain or Germany will never respect a country in which its leaders must junket around the world before a common cold could be treated, or even an injured leg. Whatever happens to the hospitals in Lagos, Abuja, Nsukka, Ibadan, and others!

Mahatma Gandhi once said that Indians should go naked if they could not produce clothes. But instead of going naked, India is now the world producer of cotton. Nigerians can do it without the intervention or any kind of support from foreign organisations. Nigerians can fight their fight whenever they are ready. Let Nigerians perish if they have to rely on foreign groups to fight their fight. But like Indians, Nigerians will not die but will get stronger if they do it alone - no matter how long it takes.

Pat Utomi almost captures my point when he wrote inter alia: “it will be wrong as Nigerians often expect, that the task of saving Nigeria can be domiciled with some messiah or taken up by foreign powers, yet those foreign powers will do wrong not to acknowledge the desperate need for a change in the way things are done in Nigeria and perhaps provide support for such change effort by simply not pretending that all is okay”.