Celebrating Nigeria independence today, I purge my mind with two contradictory feelings of congratulating all the patriots and the entire citizens of our dear mother land on the occasion of anniversary celebration on the one hands, and also berating the lackadaisical attitude of the leadership of the country towards the plights and economic hardship they plunge the citizens into on the other hand.
With a hearty sense of patriotism, I ceased not express my sincere optimism on the prospect of achieving a great and better Nigeria where unity of purpose, mutual trust and sense of belongings will prevail over chauvinistic social attitude of ethnicism and bigotry of all forms. However, I have a lamp by which my feet are guided, my thoughts are shaped and my actions are driven and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way to judging of the future, but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the Nigerian leaders in the past decades, to justify those hopes with which the mass citizens have been pleased to solace themselves even amidst the untold hardship.
Hoping it will not be thought disrespectful to those on the corridor of power, their stooges, foot soldiers and many other culprits in the acts of unpatriotic and unscrupulous management of the nation’s common wealth, if frankly as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs and many other fellow citizens who may be seeing the same subject in different lights. speaking forth my sentiments freely and without reserves. This is no time for ceremony.
The question before us as a nation is one of awful moment deserving sober reflection and sincere leadership approach to rebuilding, rehabilitating and reconstructing the foundation upon which the initial unity in diversity is achieved. In short, I consider it as nothing less a question of freedom for the masses or continuous enslavement by the ruling elite.
Though, it is natural for man to indulge in illusions of hope. hence I have no doubt that many believes that the present prevailing socio- political, economic and cultural forces could be a pedestal for a desired destination of greater Nigeria. But the truth remains that we are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and prefer to listen to the song of political siren that is gradually transforming us into a stateless beast whose rights and privileges as a citizens is becoming too eroded by the hegemony domination by the microscopic few at the expense of the vast majority.
The unchecked widening gap between the rulers and the ruled, the present security huddles, social disintegration and economic misfortunes shouldn’t be a subject of celebration if sincerity of purpose is a driving force to our leaders.
Since I cannot keep back my opinion at such time like this, through fear of giving offense to dissenting opinions and views about the situational status quo of Nigeria state, hence I will consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, whom I revere above all earthly kings.
Then, I wish to say to the leadership of Nigeria state that the citizens are loosing trust and confidence in them, hence the question of legitimacy that informs the right to command loyalty and leadership acceptability by the people must be revisited if only law and order is to be sustained. Anything other than this will amount to breach of contractual obligations of catering for the welfare of the people in the face of scarce means.
Finally, Nigeria deserves better living conditions, a sense of belongings, the leadership must be accountable, responsible and be upright in making decisions that affect the populace. Nigeria will surely rise again.
– Tanimola Odunayo Emmanuel, a political scientist, writes from Ekinrin –Adde
