Spread the love
May 29th is the day set aside to celebrate our country’s return to democratic rule.
Even though some political analysts are of the view that, our present day democracy was birthed by the military and as such, there is nothing democratic in the system yet, I for one believe, something must start from somewhere, since the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
It is not a crime if anyone pushes you to the dungeon, but it becomes a big crime if you choose to remain there even if you have obvious exit route.
It is believed by many that, Nigeria’s problem is orchestrated by the military heavyweights. But, the question begging answer is, why have we chosen to remain stagnant even after almost 20 years of our present day democratic journey?
The answer is not farfetched: a particular region (core north), continue to leave and grow with the unfortunate mindset of the master<>servant cohabitation.
If you cannot see me as equal stakeholder in the management of our marriage of convenience, then you should not expect me to give my all in time of national needs.
Patriotism is earned by a nation, not forced on the citizens.
The strength of a broom is in its numbers. Our huge diversity is suppose to be our strength but, the reverse is painfully the case.
Our multifarious daunting challenges are not insurmountable if we show unalloyed commitment to nation building.
But, common place scenarios among Nigerians are that of “me before others”, ” large scale nepotism “, ” looting “, ” religious intolerance”, “primordial ethnic sentiment and bigotry”, etc.
Citizens have formed the habit of consciously fanning the embers of disunity and sowing seeds of discord unchecked.
And our corrupt leaders allowed these ills to fester on so as to continue to feed fat on our ignorance and perpetual obduracy.
The Ibo’s Biafra secessionist movement is growing from strength to strength and attracting international recognition and sympathies.
The Yoruba’s Oduduwa Republic is seriously in the works. One of their leaders Chief Adebanjo recently made public the proposed map of the Oduduwa republic, showing the readiness of the west to go her own way.
The South-South region is not left out in the struggle to decimate the country. As their own agitation is anchored on the neglect of the hen that lays the golden egg.
The north through one of their leading voices Prof. Ango Abdullahi (former VC ABU Zaria), told those who cared to listen recently that, the north can survive on its own should the worse happens.
Looking at all these goings on, one is forced to think the Nigeria’s British orchestrated and supervised marriage is on the precipice.
The recent threat from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), that the worst will happen should Baba transcend to the other room, and Prof. Osinbajo attempts to contest the next presidential election is seen by the Yoruba people as an assault on their national existence and a betrayal of trust and loyalty shown to the north. The acting President Osinbajo during an event to mark Biafra @50 said, we are better off together as a nation erroneously citing America as an example. But, the acting President failed to acknowledge the fact that, in America, no one is treated as second class citizen regardless of their economic status or colour. But, in Nigeria, tribe and religion is taken above merit.
All these and many more are the problems of Nigeria.
Are there solutions? Yes. But, I’m afraid the only obvious solution in sight lies with the north. The North’s opposition to restructuring is the cause of our retrogression. And, until proper and committed restructuring is carried out and early enough too, Nigeria’s balkanization is inevitable.
God Bless Nigeria!
– Comrade Ochedi Shaibu Udale
Spread the love
