Democracy & Governance
Lessons Taught Lessons Learnt In This Outgoing Season of Change and Intrepid Buildup to the Final Challenge – Letter to The SP -By Jimi Bickersteth
Listening to PMB’s speech to the joint session of NASS, with his expression would have curdled milk, in what invariably, was his last budget presentation, did little to assuage the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness all around. Looking at the expressions of exasperation on the faces of Nigerians even the well-to-do keep their distance and their peace.
This blog is more of a philosophical musing, a short epistle coming on the heels of your futile bid for the APC’s presidential ticket and the unsuccessful attempt to arm twist your kin’s (Machina’s) well fought contest for your constituency’s senatorial seat; a seat you neither signify your intents nor contest for the party primaries. An attempt that showed just how warped and complicated individuals parade the corridors of power, and how much they see power and the positions they hold as a birthright, and the citizenry as second class goons to be trampled upon. Here, I salute Machina’s incorruptible doggedness and forthrightness.
This is just to tell you, (most distinguished senate president of the Third republic’s most obsequious, rubber stamp assembly) of the position this nation has found its politics, democracy and what must be done to redeem the time, if possible, in the little time left to you to drop the baton; and at a time all eyes were fixed on the president Buhari’s cabinet. You will please note as a senior member of the APC government and the Numero uno of the Red chamber that the position the nation have found itself under your watch is so awkward, and to say the least, appalling.
The situation we have found ourselves, even as individuals, and collectively as a people, let’s not be coy, defy logic. With Social life, employment, security at a standstill, and all goes contrary to all one’s ordered expectation of life. Life’s like that, you’ll say. It does not permit or allow us to arrange and order it as we would like to, yet will not permit us to escape emotion, to live by intellect and by reason; but must face facts and awkward truths, if one must learn the lesson of life, with some humour and honour, even as you are retired back to your Yobe come May, 2023.
The lessons commeça, is from two axis:
i. from the Red corner, the Senate as a body, its president as the primus inter pares.
ii. the presidency and the executive council to the blue corner.
The senate president smattering from his own political naivety and self-contrived political miscalculation, his grandstanding, comments and reaction were not more of the defence of the (charges against him) and how much he is far away from reality. A but on his concerns, was that impression one got from his body language and carriage, that the government has been hijacked from PMB by some hawks in the party prior to the APC’s presidential primaries.
The crux of the argument from the blue corner, is that the Senate president is not on trial, free and at liberty to take actions it considered to be for public good, but those of them, the AGF’s office have accused of wrongdoings were getting soft landing. In all of this, something strikes me, and that something leaves, very big and lousy question marks.
In assessing the present senate president’s tenure of political correctness and his influence on the hallowed chamber, I asked myself, has temptation, not set in when the chance to win fame, wealth, success, or the attainment of a heart’s desire, by sacrifice of honour or principle, comes. But here, I concurred, that is impossible. Why is all our thinking on money. It is just money. Why is it that when it comes to the issue of money, status and its privileges and its paraphernalia, we get twisted up in knots, stay awake at night thinking about it, stew, get anxious, scheme, trade away our integrity to get a little more of it, and we worry that somebody else might get hold of it.
It is the whiff of money, its allure and influence that is threatening to disunite the nation and introduce a state of anarchy and chaos; the NIger Delta Development Company, the NNPC and the copious bunkering and oil pipelines vandalisation and outright bombings, the cry for resource control, the antics of attempt to negotiate the nation’s sovereignty and now a tussle has ensued between the Senate and the people. Why should there be so much protests in the land with elected representatives of the people in situ.
From one’s reading in what may be called the ‘intrepid buildup to the final challenge’, the senate president is trying to one-up the political process, and the dynamo-in-the-sack, are poised for a ‘battle royale’ at the expense of the people and a nation, doting on it to make good laws that would create veritable, enabling environment for the growth, development, peace, prosperity and unity – all of which are prima facie dividends of democracy.
As the nation keenly approach 2023, even though our votes and opinions still don’t count, or so it seems, this tough times can teach us either as politicians, senators and or ordinary mortals, to grow to learn and overcome overwhelming odds and to get back on the path of peace, success and progress, even as we turn problems into possibilities.
In the principles of separation of powers, the total independence of each arm of government is guaranteed. Albeit, each of the arm on its own, cannot function, but desire a degree of flexibility and compatibility. This must be derived from a very strong sense of duty and purpose, in a marriage of convenience and necessity; where each arm brings its own baggage; and unless you sort out what to keep and what to discard, things can quickly erode.
Hence, the master plan, strategy and tactics for a strong relationship in a democracy is to foster strength and harmony, with this, the nation can deepened the democratic process and institutions. The fathers of democracy, do not envisaged a relationship fostered in the crucible of war, strife and confusion, yet, do not expect any arm to kowtow.
Even as the arms of government, legislative, executive and the judiciary are to in various combining degrees and efforts, help to build a strong, virile union that would lift, galvanised and glorify a united multi-national and multiethnic nation to the path of development, growth, peace, progress, tranquillity and prosperity.The nation’s experience in the last few years has shown that the relationship between the legislative and the executive arm is often a cordless and ‘salad’ relationship and therefore not cordial and cohesive enough. The one was not challenging the other enough.
Ever noticed a guy goes out with a beer-bogging posse of meathead friends, he goes home with a beer-bogging posse of meathead friends.The difficulty in party politics is that we hobnob with personalities with hidden characters and motives. That goes without saying, that, with that as a background, the ruling party, should note that its implosion is in the making.
In order to avoid a cataclysmic implosion, and allow the experiences of our recent past, to become the catalyst for political change, that won’t threaten the nation’s stillwater and nascent democracy, all the feuding parties in the throes of disregard for the party discipline and supremacy, have to consider the immaturity and shallowness in unnecessarily, been rigid, and consider also, that an apology may and should enable peace again, and let them move on; ọ̀bẹ gé ọmọ lọ́wọ́, ó sọ̀’bẹ nù.” The deed has been done. But trust is a process; when it’s been torn down, it takes time to rebuild, even amidst the senators lying up behind the ‘boss’.
However, in politics, that may not come too early, because of the human ego and sheer vanity. Here the offending party, needs to acknowledge what he has done, validates the party’s feelings, even though the party act like they don’t want you to. Acknowledge their pain. It’s no mean achievement been number 3 in a nation of approximately 217 million people, but here’s where humility comes in. Its only interest that is permanent. Now is the time to get behind the party and strengthen it, not deflate it.
The lesson here is:
i. when you try to get ahead of the party, you end up with regrets and recriminations, and don’t you forget that the way and manner of your emergence as the SP has thrown the party into a dilemma of unimaginable proportion, and, by your ambition, you’ve simply turn the table against the party, and you know it.
ii. but for the naivety of the party and the insincerity in its own make up, which is pardonable, the party is now at war with itself and giving the major opposition a field day, and this much you orchestrated.
iii. if you don’t, know now, that it is getting difficult to pursue the APC’s agenda at the caucus level and life is unnecessarily difficult for it at plenary,
iv. further trivializing and rationalizing what’s hurting the party is the cause of the outcast status the nation’s number 3 now carries,
v. sad, but party members all over the federation are angry at this turn of events.
You have allowed bitterness crept in by allowing the party, to stay hurt longer than its absolutely necessary; now, you are been further distracted by the load of serious legal challenges mounted before you which by the way, is bogging the nation down, and which in saner climes, should have seen you take a walk.
Your emergence as the APC’s presidential candidate or a returning senator, would apart from being a clear disregard and abuse of the doctrine of party supremacy, rules, traditions and practices, it would also have been an aggressive attack on the weakest point of all that is APC, which did not realize early on the disunity and differences in its fold.
You are an experienced senator, and one expects you to know that House rules and parliamentary practices, precedents and traditions all over the world on party supremacy is the same. The tension generated by our high capacity for the absurd, which culminated into your emergence, is the source of the prevailing unease in the polity, and the earlier the politicians come to terms with the problems of power sharing and reach a middle ground, even as they especially placate all offended interests in the dalliance the better. Otherwise, it would, apparently, continue to portray, a party that doesn’t understand itself, and as it were, it feels like it is living in the Tower of Babel – devoid of unity, all progress stop and confusion reign.
This poor pure one-upmanship togetherness not-too-together flouncing, of your brother senators, to boost their self worth is absolutely unnecessary, and as it appears, it is manoeuvring the SP to defend their position, and making you most likely think that your self esteem is dependent on the group; and that is not adding value to you as they are not showing you the error of your ways, and for a politician who is extremely ambitious, that is quite dangerous.
At this point, there swept over me, that indefinable sensation of menace and evil of a pregnancy approaching its term, as I realised that without rules, there’s chaos. And men hate chaos. The thing about rules: knowing them implies knowing when to break them; in all of this, making and breaking rules, the tone in which the discussion begins is quite impolitic; and mark you, the tone in which the discussion begins is often the tone in which it ends. With this harsh words, letters to everywhere and tension all over the place, the chances of ever reaching a peaceful compromise during this tenure could be slim, because we will likely be focusing too much on where views differ. Thus, a situation of infamy arise, where the very things that put us together is likely to separate us.
To all the distinguished senators, what’s important is that you have to make sure you are all singing from the same song sheet and page concerning the nation’s expectations and in all truth and honesty or else there’s trouble ahead. They should note that the matter on ground, is not a ‘right or wrong’ issue, and therefore ought to put behind them the kowtow in the name of solidarity, as their offices placed on them, behaviours, that are way above that of boy scouts, let them clothe themselves in humility, mildness and patience; to look for compromise and get down to the work of problems solving through robust and effective legislation.
They can solve most of the complex problems they encounter and strengthen their bond by brainstorming a solution that perhaps neither of them individually could have come up with alone, and start ameliorating the conditions of Nigerians whose whole lives were constant battle against poverty. The senate must cover every blade of grass, if it is to properly micromanage the challenges in its own diversity and brand. The NASS must look beyond what they want individually, to what is best for all of us, even as they change their perspectives. This falling giant of a nation must be helped to rediscover its mo-jo.
It’s no mean achievement been the number three man, in a nation of 217 million estimated, but here’s where humility comes in. There is no permanent enemies and this days no permanent interests at least till the democratic experience and process get deepened. The SP must stop trying to be perfect or look super intelligent and live with a genuineness others will want to emulate. When you are real people can tell. Would you set up house in an hotel? The greatest calamity is not to feel far from home, when you are but to feel right at home when you are not.
The nation has witnessed intrigues, conspiracy and utter blackmail, making its people feel out of place in their depressed state and at the risk of being set adrift like a hard-luck astronaut. This season demands leaders, in the words of Ted Engstrom, “who cannot be bought, whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who don’t hesitate to take chances; who won’t lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest in small things as they are in great things; who will make no compromise with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires and interests.”
Who, who can stand this tests of convictions, as we are all in conflict with compromise of integrity, in varying degrees. We must strive for integrity, not popularity or wealth.This season, the nation, is lining up behind its president, and appears it would not allow the motley crowd take him in a different direction and impose their agenda on him. The man who would not anoint a successor. Ẹnití ón ṣe ni làò mọ̀, aṣe ní mọ́’rarẹ̀!
Lex Uno ore monies alloquitor – the law speaks to all with one mouth. My urge says that in the coming game of power, VAT, restructuring, secession, none held better cards. It seems everywhere we turn these days, we’re confronted with reminders of how much division there is in our nation. Even amongst colleagues, neighbours and family members, it can sometimes seem nearly impossible to come to a consensus about what is true; an environment of polarization thus ensued.
Have you noticed that everyone seems to be walking around with a different ‘truth’ these days, ìn a world turn amok with conspiracy theories, fake news and polarized views on even the most basic facts. It can often feel like the very ideal of truth is slipping through our fingers. In today’s world of polarized cultural and ethnocentric atmosphere, defending our unity and navigating minefields of competing opinions we encounter – within ourselves and others – is fast becoming a high art.
The political leaders the people could see were no more human to them than the close-up of a movie star on a cinema screen. The spark of courage that had forced the October 2020 #endSARS protests ìn a panic of agitation is threatening and rearing its head all over again in the new ‘Takeover Lagos’ onslaughts. A feeble struggle the government took no real notice when it first started, and was handling with the impersonal indifference of a slaughterman preparing cattle for the hammer.
With local and international debt, left, right and centre, the nation continues to grope ìn its pitch-black passage. The darkness came down on it as if a blanket had been thrown over its head, could see nothing while it is trying to see where it was going, the national awards – an arcane ritual of doling patronages to friends of government became a comic relief for all. With quality of quite low and money scarce, what a life, what a future prospect and what a reflection! Even right now the future yearned before even me as a dark, menacing chasm.
In the middle of the crisis were the lawmakers giving the impression of one group of Nigerians that had worked hard, suffered little, and had finally reached their haven. All of which had caused disagreeable publicity and a reflection on the nation’s democracy, governance and politics. Even, now, as I collate in my mind what was happening to and in the nation today, it seemed it was not making progress, enough progress.
Listening to PMB’s speech to the joint session of NASS, with his expression would have curdled milk, in what invariably, was his last budget presentation, did little to assuage the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness all around. Looking at the expressions of exasperation on the faces of Nigerians even the well-to-do keep their distance and their peace.
Times are hard, business is bad. There is no real money around this days, depressing isn’t!. Pictures of the near-famine in the land were obviously unique records of people suffering and a government’s insensitive feeling for humanity. Sorrows framed the poor’s horror-wide eyes. Final moment of tense silence at the brut-al violence all around; even as the lawmakers were watching the people with wide grins on their faces. But Nigerians expressions were of abject terror at what metaphor and a fatal mistake their democracy had became.
After the air-conditioned coolness of the room, stepping out to the balcony, the heat from the street rose up around me in a smothering, humid blanket. I can feel the dust and smell the dirt that made one understand the continuous struggle Nigerians were making to survive. I marvelled at the classic design of the people, the poor people as the fugitive and the government as the hunter with no way of escape for both.
Last line: the NASS, the executive and the judiciary should be wary of the fact that today over half of the children between the ages of six and nineteen have Internet, cable, or satellite TV access in their bedrooms. Indeed, they do not have to be in their bedrooms, because now, they can access it all on a hand-held device, like on Android, iPhone or tablet. Our ruling elites should note that almost everything children are seeing is essentially going into their minds in some sort of uncensored or unfiltered way, they should be concerned.
“If one can’t learn, one can’tearn.”
Thanks.
Yours sincerely.
#JimiBickersteth.
Jimi Bickersteth is a blogger and a writer.
He can be reached on Twitter
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