Democracy & Governance
The Book of Consequences Chapter 62 -By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons
In the last 62 years, we have managed to keep the country Nigeria but has failed to create Nigerians. There is a seeming lack of ‘Nigerianess’ in our demography. The early incursion of the Military into our body polity in January 1966 also did not help matters.
The title of this piece is inspired by one of the editions of the super duper American Netflix series – Black Lightening. In this nerve wracking action packed film, there is an angel-like dude, called Jeff. Although a college principal, Jeff looks out not just for the students and staff, but he protects and defends the interest of the entire community of Fairfield against the agents of oppression and wickedness. Jeff’s mission and vision is a safe, fair, and egalitarian community where every person is able to live a reasonable quality life. To achieve this, Jeff has to fight and fend off numerous physical and spiritual adversaries tormenting the people of Fairfield.
By divine providence, Jeff was born with supra-human powers and potentials. At moments of danger and harm, Jeff transforms to a glittering avatar of himself starting with the eyes. It is a series I recommend if you are a sci-fi flick like me. Nigeria like the Fairfield community described above needs a Jeff. Unlike this small suburban town, ours is a community of diverse nationalities of over 200 million people. We have over 500 tribes, multi religious with Christianity, Islam, African traditional religion, and atheism in large chunk. We are a nation blessed with abundant human and natural resources. North, South, West and East, our country is well-endowed. We are blessed with highly innovative and creative minds, a dynamic and youthful population, wonderful landscapes and a magnificent cultural diversity to boot. We got it all!
When on 1st October 1960, the imperial Union Jack flag of Great Britain was lowered, and the Green-White-Green flag of Nigeria rose up, and we got our INDEPENDENCE, our forefathers and mothers dared to dream. The sweet aroma of freedom was floating in the air. There was joy overflow across the length and breadth of the land. As I write this, I can see the bubbling eyes of my Septuagenarian mum when she told me about the events leading to D-day of 1st October 1960. She never gets tired of the narrative of how the Sage, Chief Anthony Enahoro (of blessed memory) first moved the motion for independence in the Federal House of Parliament in 1958. She also relates to me some of pivotal political events and preparations that lead to the epochal ceremony of 1st October 1960.
Fast forward to 2022, a lot of water has passed under the bridge of the country called Nigeria. In the last 62 years, we have managed to keep the country Nigeria but has failed to create Nigerians. There is a seeming lack of ‘Nigerianess’ in our demography. The early incursion of the Military into our body polity in January 1966 also did not help matters. The messianic disposition of the boys in uniform each time they further struck in July 1966, July 1975, December 1983, August 1985 and finally November 1993 was only on paper. With hindsight, many analysts think that the civilians/politicians of the first and second republic should have been allowed to learn the ropes. We however cannot turn back the hand of the clock. Our civilians have had their time too, from 1960 -1966 and from 1979-1983. The current democratic dispensation 1999 – date is the longest in our chequered history. The last 23 years has been one of dashed hopes and expectations. In the last 7 of these 23 years, the country has been heavily polarised along tribal and religious lines more than at any time in our history The last 7 years has seen insecurity rise to unprecedented levels. Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers are having a field day and the government of the day is seemingly looking hapless and helpless.
The critical sectors required to build a country – Education, Healthcare, Housing, Power (electricity supply), Agriculture, Tourism, Aviation to mention a few remain comatose after 62 years of our shared nationhood. Analysts contend that if successive governments in Nigeria had sorted the problem of electricity supply, our country would be a paradise by now. If there is uninterrupted electricity supply in Nigeria, small, medium, and large scale enterprises would grow astronomically. The informal sector would thrive, and industrialization would have been achieved. This would have reduced the high level of unemployment and concomitant levels of crime. No country can make progress if Education is not taken seriously. The same goes for provision of Healthcare, Housing, and other basic amenities of life like pipe borne water, and good roads.
If Nigeria must move forward, our system of government must change. We need to change our status book and practice a truly federal system. That way we will be able to allow the federating units (states) to thrive at their own pace. State Governors and local government leaders will be become accountable and not just be hiding under the curtain while the citizens blame the President for every broken pin. A true federal system will help reduce the current bogus bureaucracy, duplication of functions, high cost of governance, leakages, and wastages in our public expenditure. Inflation of contracts and other public procurements processes will be checked. The latter is one clear way of stopping corruption which has become a monster in our stratosphere. If Nigeria must move forward, our democracy must be deepened. The other two arms of government – legislature and judiciary must play their constitutional role to the letter. Democracy cannot survive if they abandon their responsible for lucre and filth. The legislature and the judiciary are not an extension or appendage of the Executive. The Legislature in particular needs to do more as representatives of the people. They must wake up to their duties and responsibilities and not kowtow to the whims and caprices of the Executive arm. They must provide the check and balance. The Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. Justice must not only be done at all times, but it must be seen to be done. Justice should not be sold to the highest bidder. The rule of law must be upheld at all times without fear or favour. There should be no sacred cows. Every Nigerian must be equal in the face of the law.
As Nigeria marks its 62nd independence anniversary, many Nigerians are not impressed at where we are as a nation. We are in dire need of credible leadership to `lead-the-ship` of state. We must not allow the labour of our heroes past to be in vain. It is therefore instructive to say that another great opportunity is coming for us to elect men and women of conscience at the 2023 general elections. Let us therefore shun the temptation of voting along political party affiliation, ethnic and religious persuasion. Our target should be to elect men and women of goodwill with proven track records. Like Jeff the Superhero in the Netflix series, Black lightening, Nigeria requires leadership that is caring, and compassionate. We are in dire need of leaders who will serve us and not those who want us to serve them.
Dr Agbons is founder of the Institute of Good Governance @www.twin2.org
