By Godwin
Onyeacholem
In a few months’ time, Nigeria will
once again arrive at what historians would refer to as a critical juncture –
that point in the life of nations when either as a result of programmed actions
or unanticipated circumstances, events unfold and choices are made that will
alter the trajectories of these nations for good or for bad. The adjustments
created by these decisions could be short-lived or permanent, depending on the value
of the resolve invested by the people.
By the beginning of 2015, Nigerians
will step into the doorway of a critical juncture occasioned by the general
elections holding in February, where, other things being equal, the people are
expected to use their votes to redefine the country’s political and economic
directions.
The occasion will demand no less. Having been duped and oppressed
for too long by a band of depraved post-colonial inheritors in civilian and
military uniforms, Nigerians’ desire for a true saviour cannot be more urgent than
this moment.
At independence in 1960 it all looked
promising until a few years later when events began to portray the local power wielders
as more of picnickers than a clique out to fully grasp the essence of
governance.
The eventual incursion of the military into governance, instead of
improving the situation by restoring the people’s hope, intensified the unjust
and inefficient rule of the civilians, so much so that the soldiers even went
as far as working towards a perpetual occupation. Between these two groups
since 1966, the reins of governance have gone back and forth until 1999 when full
democratic governance was returned.
Even at that, what has been the experience
since then? Sickening! You would easily be forgiven to call for the immediate
return of the colonial masters, for successive leaders in whatever attire have
run Nigeria like a private estate, dishing out favours and patronage, treating
holders of alternative views as enemies, rewarding dubious loyalty and choosing
which law or court judgment to obey and which not to.
The pattern of misrule has not changed.
The lawlessness, abuse of power and corruption currently on display is absolute.
Without mincing words, the remedy for these grave ills is nothing short of a
political revolution. Not in the sense of a violent uprising that will upturn
the existing order, but by a resounding vote in favour of change in the
upcoming elections.
And voting for change cannot in any way be equated with a
renewal of the mandate of the current occupier of the Aso Rock villa or anyone
else via the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It means a vote
for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which remains the
major opposition party despite all the observed shortcomings.
Of the four contestants standing on the
platform of APC, fingers are already pointing at Muhammadu Buhari, a retired
infantry General, as more favoured to pick the ticket, thanks to his gigantic
pedigree defined largely by his open rejection of corrupt practices – seen as
the main hinderer of the country’s development – as well as the messianic
following he enjoys in practically all corners of the north where his
supporters famously refer to him as Mai
Gaskia, literally translated in Hausa to mean “the custodian of truth.”
However, much as his credentials speak
loudly of a man of integrity and the people see in him someone they can trust
to deploy his vast experience to rein in the disturbing excesses in the polity,
it is important to warn that there are also fears, though latent but
nonetheless strong, that Buhari may not have fully shed the toga of a diehard
autocrat which blighted his 20-month reign as Head of State in the mid 80s.
These fears still exist among some of those who witnessed his regime, and they became
more evident among members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)
in the lead-up to and after the merger talks with three other opposition
parties that led to the birth of APC.
It is unfortunate that whenever Buhari
is discussed even as a politician, snippets of his characterisation as an
unrepentant despot still creep in. Hopefully, the General will read this. Indeed,
there is need for him to adjust himself. There is no way he can command respect
as a politician without being a democrat.
Though it will be heart-warming to
see him emerge as the president in 2015, he should be well-advised that
democracy and autocracy are two completely different concepts. Buhari must be
careful to avoid behaving in a manner that will further arm his critics with
the impression that he is still more comfortable with the latter than the
former.
Surely he is not unaware of the fact
that the party on whose platform he hopes to be president relates with the
people through a message anchored on CHANGE. That much touted change, as laid
out, would be nothing short of total.
Yet, there is need to be apprehensive. History
is full of political parties that came with promises of change, but once they
got the power they began to reproduce and intensify the exploitation and
cruelty of their predecessors.
It will be more catastrophic than a
catastrophe if, for instance, Buhari wins and assumes office and what the
people see is widespread impunity, abuse of power, corruption and more of the
vicious circle unleashed by past administrations.
The change that the APC is
promising Nigerians must borrow a leaf from the French Revolution. Only then will it be of significant value not
just for Nigerians, but also for citizens across the African continent.
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