THE CONTRAPTION CALLED GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY

 

The idea of government of national government that is put forward by President Umaru Yar’Adua is one that is not done in good faith, basically is meant to emasculate and hoodwink the opposition. So that, the opposition will not be able to pursue their legitimate claims in the various electoral tribunals across the country. This political offer by the PDP is just like adding insult to injury, the 2007 was adjudged by local and international observers as the worst in the history of Nigeria, in fact, some of the reports compare the elections to those that took place in Somalia and Mongolia. What the PDP wants to do is to use some seemingly potent political figures to legitimize their illegal government. But this will certainly not work; this is because anything predicated on falsehood cannot stand the test of time.

 

If the PDP believes that it won the election fair and square then it should go ahead to form government, instead of trying to invite the opposition to form part and parcel of the government using divide and rule tactics. This was the same way Chief Bola Ige was deceived to serve under the Obasanjo administration and he was eventually murdered, Marmood Waziri was used and dumped. So, will this invitation will invitation be different from what obtained in the past? This is a political party that has been called a nest of killers because of the penchant of its members to kill themselves.

 

What all well meaning Nigerians should be clamouring for now is that the various tribunals across the country should speed up the work, because, justice delayed is justice denied. We cannot afford to sweep the illegality under the government; democracy is all about justice, rule of law and due process. Any attempt to circumvent these elements will be counterproductive, and the telling adverse consequence on the polity will be devastating. One of the problems of democracy in Nigeria is the practitioners, or politicians are just concerned about their pockets and immediate needs, they are more concerned about how to balkanize the national cake for their selfish desires. They are not to render selfless service to the people; they are rather interested in what they can get from the system. They don’t know their right from they left, they don’t know where there are coming from or where they are going, they have no regards for the electorates. Since, Yar’Adua assumed the mantle of leadership he has not done anything tangible, that is why he is called baba go slow, nothing is working and everything is at a standstill, and from his comportment so far, it is very glaring that he is not prepared for the task before him, he was forcefully dragged into the presidential race by Obasanjo, and subsequently imposed on Nigerians. He has not demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubt that he has the capacity and capability to manage the affairs of a country that is as big, complex and pluralistic as Nigeria. He is too docile, prosaic and drab kind of person and this definitely not the kind of thing Nigeria needs. This is not the kind of person that Nigeria needs to lead her at this material time of her national history and development. Obasanjo imposed Yar’Adua on Nigeria to drag Nigeria several years backward. And, the injustice in the system is not fought once and for all now, then politically the country can never get it right.

 

 

By

Jide Ayobolu

No 19 Gongola Street

Garki 2

Abuja.