By Nwokedi Nworisara
Two days ago, this author was confronted by some “die-hard supporters” who
still could not understand why he took a “back seat” in the present
political process. They could not understand his “system is not right”
reasons since some of them strongly envision that “the time is now”. Well
If you are wondering what is amiss here this author once began the new
breed,New Nigeria movement to get youths into position of power at the
highest level through a presidential run in 1992. This author ,then
referred to as the youngest Presidential Aspirant in the two parties SDP
and NRC,was only 29 years old when he took up the challenge and ran a
unique race that lasted over one year until the entire crop of aspirants
were disqualified. The author had argued that he was as good ,even better
in the field than those who were his seniors and went ahead to prove it.To
prevent a reoccurrence of what was seen as a big political scare by the
powers that be the minimum age for aspiration for President was hurriedly
raised to 50. And for many years,no young man was allowed to aspire. Later
on it was reduced to 40. With the “not too young to run”,it has come back
to original 35. Jokingly,at a time during the debate,It was even
speculated that those above 50 should be discouraged. But that is just how
far the mania can go.
To this end the following writings will serve as the 27th anniversary of an
event that has awoken a generation to the injustice against the youth in
Nigeria. That event was the first building block of the New Nigeria that
will arise from the rubbles of present day political arrangement.
Well,this authors reaction to make these writings would explain the vision
once again so that present players can get their way straight.
But first of all let us consider some seemingly innocuous events lately
which made these supporters approach me on the matter of political
participation at the highest level.
Three events in the political space will brighten our understanding of what
is happening and what will further happen to buttress my earlier point that
true leaders do not put themselves into a cul -de -sac from the outset of a
political process if indeed they are to be taken seriously in what they
profess to achieve. First is the short Nigerian visit of Presidents of
Britain and Germany just days before the nomination process ends. These
leaders have come to receive signature on new deals. The other event was
the distortion of candidate Moghalu’s posters in Abuja. The next one of
course is the INECs confession that a party requested for unclaimed PVCs
while the masses are out there racing against time to collect their own
before the deadline.
Now just before it becomes apparent to you,the leaders of the world have
agreed that Nigerians are in love with the present Political system going
by interest shown by the people over the position of President. No system
is perfect but what matters is it’s internal support. Since this regime has
proved its point thatNigerians love the 1999 constitution it shows also
that your president is set to return to power because your system has been
further narrowed in your very eyes to favour the incumbent. This time
around there is unlikely to be such an outside pressure as President
Jonathan endured and which may have led to his seeming abdication.
In case you still do not understand why Britain and Germany want signed
their bilateral Agreements,it is because they know the outcome and thank
you very much people … also candidate Moghalu’s “time is now” has served
its purpose. Perhaps that is why it is being defaced.Now is the time for
real politics to set in. By the way,do not ever think that this system is
set up to achieve your dreams that is -throw up what is good. But at best
the worst will scale through. Even if an “Angel”emerges through the eye of
the needle it must have changed its shape to fit in. The world is set to
see much unconventional strategies at play here but at the end you all have
already voted! Your leaders have made the most serious blunder again,and
this is despite my repeated warnings because you all accepted that what
Nigeria needs is “good leaders” not better system via restructuring of a
polity that has consistent thrown up bad leaders.
It reminds me of a catchy scene in this epic movie starring Will Smith
titled “ENEMY OF THE STATE”. A former security operative is helping
“Smith”make sense out of the numerous danger he has come upon because out
of innocence he mistakenly took possession of a highly wanted tape and was
now regarded as enemy of the state. In hiding “Smith”was warned not to make
a call. But not understanding he would give away his location,made a call.
Soon his only hide out was besieged and the operative had no choice but to
blow up his expensive house. “Smith” was shocked at his decision and
enquired why. “Because you made a call” was the simple answer.
So Nigerians should not worry about the consequences of our political
naivety when it begins to roll because “we made a call”. Already the
consequences are rolling. The international community sympathized with us
and gave us enough support to put things right. All the time the
Legislators were there only interested in their pockets leaving behind
those incisive restructuring legislation that would have saved us from this
situation. Now they have joined the race to fish out an angel in this
darkness. In the first place angels are in heaven not on this earth. They
too think they would do better. It is the country that suffers for another
span. All that energy wasted in proving that the incumbent is demonic the
same that happened to the last incumbent would have been channeled by the
legislature to answer just one salient question begging for answer in 40
years: Is military rule over in Nigeria? Has the Nigerian civil war ended?
But they thought that it does not concern them so they towed the line of
least resistance while Nigerians suffered untold repression in their own
country.
If military rule is over why is the military intelligence screening
aspirants or what right do they have to decide for the civilian parties Who
is good or bad candidate? What criteria is used and who oversees it? So in
essence since 1979 the military has been taking the most important decision
in the political process and you call it civil rule? To disengage the
military is the restructuring we are talking about. It is achieved when the
military formally hands over power to the legislature from where Late Gen
Ironsi received it. Then automatically all the no go areas of the
constitution will be nullified. And that includes the screening role of the
military which presently constitutes the key portion of our intelligent
community. As soon as the suspended parts of the constitution is lifted
Nigeria will be back to Regionalism of the 1963 constitution. But if you
continue to have legislatures with members thinking their job is to be
president and presidential aspirants who are willing even to run against
themselves,and the international community continues to be deceived as like
you have just achieved,then we can continue this merry go round. But don’t
bother yourself as to why this author is not running even when you think
the time is now; do not deceive yourself that this system will throw up the
good in us or that we would not arrive at the unexpected. I can only pray
that we open our eyes next time around and stop condemning what we have
already endorsed.But when the youths are driven to the wall…