A date with history

Human thinking has shown that intelligence can reach evolutionary dead end. Most people do not know that in every action taken collectively, we remain responsible individually for its outcome – whether good or bad. For such action taken together, we accept the responsibility collectively because its outcome would affect all.

As I grow older, I pay less attention to the uncomplimentary things most Nigerians say. I watch actions being done to either destroy or make the country great; I always want to know why people do such. There is a law about life; it is so cruel and just. It states: one must grow wiser or pay more for stagnancy. Nigeria has grown to the extent that both leaders and followers climb the ladder of success wrongly. Nigeria, the so-called giant of Africa, has been said to be a country still marching to nationhood. Some described it as a tragic state whose people are in perpetual suffering in the midst of abundance in human and material resources. The nation’s progress has been impeded by bad leadership which has built a vicious cycle of poverty and want.

It is significant to note that Nigeria is among countries endowed in incalculable resources that are capable of improving socio-economic life and living standards of the citizens. But the reverse has been the case. In view of this ugly trend, one begins to wonder the kind of “giant” Nigeria is proving to be when it could not provide basic amenities to its people.

God created the country so perfectly and make it is among the blessed nations, but its internal contradiction has made its journey to nationhood tortuous. Rather than playing the big brother role to other war-torn countries, we have been the nation receiving help from powerful countries. The help they offer is not without condition. Many countries offer to help because of what they would tap from our wealth. God destined this country to be great, but its fabrics are being torn apart by ethno-religious strife.

Through our bad actions, our country has become the focus of international community as crisis-prone and corruption-riddled. As I write this, it is shocking that petroleum subsidy questions are yet to be answered. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is being sold at exorbitant price of N87 per litre. Power sector went from bad to worse after the celebrated privatisation.

Insecurity is fast becoming part of life, deaths on our roads increasing, unemployment and attendant man-made disasters surging and corruption in high places stinks to high heaven (apologies Gani Fawehinmi).

The only property this generation of leaders is handing over to the next generation is a failed leadership. Our peers in the BRICS (Britain, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries have shown what can be achieved with the right leadership at the helms. The youth here, if handed leadership mantle, will have to spend time and resources on re-orientation of citizens in values.

Although progress is not without challenge, taking Nigeria back is an option for some people because of personal gains. So disheartening is the fact that our choices towards governance has taken us back in development at a time countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Venezuela are making progress in geometric sequence.

The bad choice we made did not just start. After over three decades of military rule, from 1966-1999 (with the exception of 1979-1983 and 82 days of the Interim National Government in 1993) Nigeria transited to democratic regime on May, 29, 1999. Since restoration of democratic rule, Nigeria is nowhere close to achieving good governance. Well, it is a product of our choice. We chose our leaders, our leaders did not choose us.

Prof Charles Soludo puts it right when he said: “What Nigeria is going through now is a consequence of our deliberate wrong choices.” Political power and elections in Nigeria are not about love for country or service to the motherland. They are about selfish interest. Leaders pursue nepotism; they give privileges and undue advantage to their family members and cronies.

This has given rise to ethnic contest of sort, because people who feel aggrieved about the sharing of resources or political power see it as a necessity to rely on their ethnic groups on their behalf against dominant ethnic groups.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. It is time for us to rewrite our wrong choices by making the right one on February 14. The ultimate agenda right is how to redeem the country from the brink, to re-negotiate its terms of existence. It is a task genuine patriots, irrespective of affiliation, must pursue with all sense of seriousness and responsibility, considering the danger.

It should be a choice that will rid the country of religious and tribal conflict; one that will ensure corruption is reduced to minimum if not totally removed. It is time for our common sense revolution to support a cause that will reclaim our destiny and enthrone of good governance. We need brilliant mind with the spirit of a performer and the humble heart to lead us at this time of our need.

We must make our destiny of greatness come to reality by chosing the best people for the job regardless of his religious affiliation. For those, who will vote on March 28, my advice is, let us wait and see how event would play out. By voting for the status quo, then we may have given their tacit endorsement of underperforming government. If we vote against the ruling party’s opponent, a long and arduous task of reclaiming this country would have been in progress. Don’t we believe in change?
Culled from Thenationonlineng