Wa Zo Bia: The Problem Of Nigeria -By Rev. Fr. John Oluoma

Should I call this an acronym or anachronism? WA ZO BIA right now represents to me a summary of the problems of Nigeria: it’s a very convenient and simplistic reductionism of a complex issue. WAZOBIA reduces Nigeria to just three set of people. It arrogantly pretends that everyone in Nigeria falls under the umbrella of any of those behemoths.

It’s now a habit for Nigerians to indulge in simplistic explanations and convenient decisions that fiercely narrow the path to true nation building. Everything in the country takes a WAZOBIAtic dimension. Elections are determined by tribe, religion and region. Governance is mired by tribe, religion and region. Appointments in government follows same horrific pattern. Support and opposition to govt follow same.

We have leaders who are cognitively too challenged to challenge the wazobiatism. In fact, they cherish it because it offers them that “comfy” and cover for their embarrassing incompetence. Nigeria is about the last set of homo sapiens group where those whose brains haven’t evolved beyond the “hunter- gatherer” era still clinch leadership positions bc of WAZOBIA syndrome.

The same WAZOBIATIC mentality is spurring some disillusioned elements to corrupt this protest with ethnic, tribal, regional and religious innuendos. They are trying hard to whip up sentiments of tribe. This is about the most spontaneous and objective movement ever in Nigeria, yet these WAZOBIATIC deplorables want to corrupt it. May they fail woefully in the name of Jesus Christ

I used to be amused, then embarrassed, now I’m pissed off and pained. These hunter gatherer leaders have succeeded in wasting a generation and aren’t even tired.

WAZOBIA means COME in the 3 major languages in Nigeria. This is for the benefits of those who may not know. I don’t know it’s origin, but I do know it offers insight into everything wrong with Nigeria. You asked people to COME(wazobia), to COME and do what? They have COME but seem not to know what they “COME” for.

In Isa 1:18 God said COME, but it wasn’t a WAZOBIATIC ‘COME’. God said COME AND LETS REASON TOGETHER. That’s an invitation with a purpose. Even the Almighty God spread out the table of negotiation with mere creatures, He was ready to stoop low and reason with mere mortals. Yet in my country, we have mortals who are too immortal to reason with fellow mortals because of the accidental privilege of WAZOBIA. We got leaders who will pressure you, cajole you and make you to COME but won’t reason with you.

Well, I think we have COME for long enough to now reason. This is the time to reason. Until we reason, the WAZOBIA will remain a source of frustration and pain to all. I’m calling the president, all the principal officers of the country to reason with the youth.

On this note I still lend my support to the #endsars protest. I want to encourage the youth to press on with their agitation for a better Nigeria devoid of the WAZOBIA syndrome.

Dear youth, you have COME to this protest, please I beg you to now reason with me:

1. Back down from every retaliatory attack.

2. Don’t fight or disrespect our military or police officers on duty. Many of them are with us on this fight for a new Nigeria.

3. This is not a regime change movement but a governance change demand.

4. Please don’t take laws into your hands, no lynching or destruction of private and public assets, whoever they may belong to.

5. Be strategic in your demands. Many systems need to change.

6. Don’t let WAZOBIATIC idiots hijack this national movement, they are all over the place. This is not about tribe or region or religion, don’t let the sycophants and cyberspace bullies change the narratives.

7. Know when to retreat but never surrender the cause.

8. Don’t sabotage yourselves by delinquent acts during the protests.

9. Obey the laws of the land.

May the good Lord bless you and everyone working for the good of Nigeria.