We Are Not All SaharaReporters
Hakeem Babalola
SaharaReporters is being regarded with great favour, approval, even affection especially by the general public. By my own estimate, it has become a best-selling propaganda against corrupt Nigerians at the helm of affairs. I have no doubt in my mind that such voice is inevitable in an effort to battle impairment of virtue and moral principles among those who lead Nigeria. Bit by bit SaharaReporters has become part of a larger drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving.
Perhaps it is this activism gesture that makes it difficult for me to fault SaharaReporters irrespective of its method which of course is obvious. Its political orientation favouring revolutionary change in government and society cannot be avoided or prevented in a nation where the oppressed have been programmed to glorify their oppressors. Despite its defect approach as reasoned by a group of commentators, I'd rather escape Nigerian rulers' meretricious captivation for the glorious melancholy in SaharaReporters' invasive reporting.
A voice is needed to combat those military forces whose determination to conquer the poor man's mind is without mercy or pity. SaharaReporters is one of the unmerciful voices garnered to fight the tempest of insincerity that pervades Nigeria’s polity and deeds. It is a radical and aggressive voice; angry and hungry; sad and mad; yearning and churning. Others may not be as radical, aggressive, angry, hungry, sad or mad; they are equally fighting intensely. One needs to visit Pointblanknews, Nigeriavillagesquare, Newnigerianpolitics and other voices being operated by Nigerians in the Diaspora in order to understand, and probably appreciate the quiet revolution going on.
If at this point in time there is no such voice marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently – against those military forces – why are we then dreaming of a great nation where accountability, equity, justice and other goodies of life will be the hallmark? The historic phenomenon of Change has never been on a platter of gold. There will be speculation and persecution. There will be loyalty and there will be betrayal. There will be a mental state characterized by a lack of clear thought and behaviour. There will be a recklessly wasteful moment. Hum, there will be indiscriminate slaughter. And blood shall flow.
I suppose Change is a parasite of the society in which it tends to alter. Subsequent Nigerian “gunverments” have helped breed violently agitated and turbulent voices like the fierce thunders roar. These inevitable ruthless voices against corruption are being driven by the apocalypse of our time; the strong believe that it is now or never; the notion that our destiny is in our own hands; the import believes that the best way to confront a bully at school is to bully him; the biblical injunction that approves an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Those who lead Nigeria have shown they are like a bully at school; murdering the nation and its people – lawfully. I wish I could express myself better without this extravagant exaggeration.
Don't we all know that Nigeria has been in a state of progressive putrefaction for quite a long time? Does it not dampen your heaven's spirit when the victims of this decaying bacterial do very little to get rid of such an offensive odour? And that anyone who tries to bring normalcy to the polity is being nicknamed rebel and devil? Nigerians who have determined to curb rottenness in our polity would be surprised that even their spouses and children are not with them. It's such a lonely fight. And if I want to be sceptical, I would add: it's becoming a lost battle. The evidence abounded with a challenge to readers to do their own research.
So when I read Kennedy Emetulu's We Are All Saharareporters in which he asks us to sign a petition addressed to "President" Yar'Adua, I knew something is not right. I wouldn't have problem with the petition if Emetulu had not adequately associated himself with SaharaReporters, a voice that roars and I can bet heaven listen to. It is not the content that bothers me, for it is well-written. And I would have probably signed the petition had Emetulu not muddled things, giving the impression that SaharaReporters is involved. Although SaharaReporters has not published the petition on its site as at time of writing, neither has it disclaimed the petition. Even the decision not to publish it on its site gives room for suspicion – a smart move though.
For SaharaReporters to be involved in writing petitions to the same man it described as "The Serpent Leader" who "leads pack of wolves, snakes and Jackals ravaging Nigeria, depicts confusion and if care is not taken, may be the beginning of the end (God forbid). SaharaReporters should not dapple into petition writings for it is above that. It should stick to what it knows how to do best: exposé. As far as I am concerned, it has done well in giving accounts of the facts of a situation that are shocking and which have deliberately been kept secret. SaharaReporters has shown it's not an empty barrel so there's no need to shout or canvass for support before it is heard. It has already sailed the Atlantic.
However, there's virtually the need for understanding based on comprehension, discernment and empathy. Not all Nigerians have radicalism in their blood. Although I admire certain radicals, by nature I am not and I don't pretend otherwise. I enjoy writing. I write not to show emotion but to relieve myself of certain emotions. I write to keep me sane in this moment of riotous living. I write because I don't want to keep quiet in the face of oppression, especially in a country where one man can steal a horse while another must not look at its halter. I'd like to be counted as someone who has realised that “gunverment” in Nigeria is a relay race in which juntas – military or civilian – passes the baton to one another.
SaharaReporter needs to protect its image at all times for it has accelerated itself to the limelight of crusading. To give the impression that a group of politicians is behind its agenda will quicken its collapse, and definitely humiliates or depress completely the initial struggle of this voice. SaharaReporters needs proper focus if it does not want to lose its wholeness. It must know how to avoid embarrassment or distress. It must begin to chew my people's axiom: iku ogun nii pa akikanju, iku odo nii pa omuwe. I agree with Festus Keyamo that SaharaReporters must not be caught in an embarrassing position.
To stick its neck out for a public officer betrays the struggle of this voice. Although Omoyele Sowore denied being pro-Ribadu in his public letter to Festus Keyamo, the caption under Ribadu's picture on its web clearly speaks volume. It reads: “ Nigeria's erstwhile chief crime-fighter unceremoniously dismissed from service. Another sad testimony to the fact that, in some parts of the world, Crime WINS!” In my opinion, as much as Ribadu accomplished in his fight against corruption, he remains a paradox; a pun in the game of Nigerian polieatics tactically used by the master himself - Obasanjo. No one can be absolutely right or wrong about Ribadu’s tenure as EFCC chairman. He’s a riddle – an enigma. And that is his luck. I think Saharareporters has soft spot for anyone or thing that is against any “gunverment” in power in Nigeria.
Back to the petition, in passing his points across, Emetulu directed us to one of those exposé titled How Farida Waziri and Top Nigerian Editors Got Abuja Land allocations. The story is a strong allegation against Farida Waziri, the current EFCC Chairperson and some editors. It portrays Mrs Waziri as someone who uses her executive office to steal while it points out that journalism is now for sale. The story is backed up by documents and accounts of different sources. I doubt not the story, especially when some of the editors involved actually confirmed they have benefited from the land allocations. For now, I shall leave Madam Waziri while I briefly comment on the conflict of interest regarding the editors.
Indeed there's nothing wrong or unusual for these editors like any other Nigerians - to purchase the land legitimately. I believe they have every right to do so. But I shall speak from both sides of my mouth. So let me say this: it would have been better if these editors had stayed away from such purchase due to the nature of their job. Doing so would have been an enduring sacrifice. It simply doesn't augur well for Nigerian editors to benefit from corrupt governments they criticise. This may be a sacrifice, but it is one that every journalist must be willing to undertake, especially in trouble times like this.
In his Critics, Commentators and Gadflies, Sabella Abidde warns commentators to be cautious in their dealings with the society as there are those who might want to trap, entice or soil their names. Abidde goes on to list about eleven lessons he has learnt. I found it quite instructive. As the so-called Fourth Estate of Realm, journalists should strive to be above board in their deeds and actions. If these editors actually got the allocation specifically to kill the story on Madibbo's corrupt deals as alleged by SaharaReporters, then Nigeria is really in a mess; and nobody – not even the voice that heaven listen to – would be able to clean the kettle of fish.
Copyright 2009 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
