Corruption has under her employ alluring indices. However, we all agree that corruption is simply an act of doing all that is wrong. Corruption cannot only be looked upon from the lenses of finance or poor leadership. It is far beyond that.
Once I read on a friend WhatsApp status “We all have our respective shortcomings…only that our stains appear different”. A roadside ” agbero” sometimes appears to be more compassionate than a responsibly looking clergy. However, instinct may sometimes dissuade clear judgement.
Drawing from the above, it would be out of place to conclude that the seeming impasse involving the Federal Government and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) is without fire.
Unfortunately, both parties cannot lay claim to rightfulness. How do I mean? Without a doubt, it is both a fact and a truth to state that various political giving over time have clearly shown that some persons are more equal than others.
For instance, the principle of federal character does not always apply rather other indices such as tribe, religion, sect…have taken the fore. Unfortunately, the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration body language has done nothing or very little to establish a sense of oneness across the various regions of Nigeria.
When there was Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the north still found a way to cage his excellency. I probably sound unfair right? This has been the case with previous government administrations. The difference is that between then and now, the PMB’s administration is not shy to admit the practice of partisan politics. Virtually every key sector of his administration are currently manned by core northerners.
I admit that the continuity of the blatant abuse of the federal character principle is fueled by corruption. When ethnicity supersedes merit, and when logic gives way to fanaticism, the result always breeds anarchy.
What has this got to do with anything? A whole lot. Look up! Humans are naturally construed to fight off suppression. No matter how little, no one wants to be a slave to another. The southern people of Nigeria have had to pass through years of subversion not only from overseas but also from supposed brothers. It is a phenomenon that has almost become normal.
For instance, it has become normal never to have an Igbo President. This abnormal instance continues to duplicate itself in other sectors of our economy.
Since this is the case, the likes of Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho…readily took it upon themselves to champion a new narrative with a simple goal. They wanted either a new Nigeria or the eventual break away from Nigeria. While freedom is a difficult and at the same time simple process, Both Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu have chosen to fight their course in a warlike style. At some point issued several warnings to the Nigerian government. Some of these warnings whether true or a mere threat have led to the killing of security personnel, totally shut down of economic activities and destruction of properties. No government sits with hands akimbo while peace is threatened.
This accounts for why the government is doing all that is with its power to clamp down on those perceived as enemies of the government. The federal government cannot claim to be without stain also. Both have erred. However, the battle probably just began or it has just ended.
To be continued…
– Olayinka Kayode Kingsley
olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com
