Can Nigeria Survive? By Benedict Oladipo KOLEDOYE

Posted: January 30, 2013 - 11:10

Posted by siteadmin

By Benedict Oladipo KOLEDOYE

The General is on the news again! General Muhammadu Buhari, has been a man whose name ordinarily excites controversy. The controversy is always doubled by his utterances, which many of his political detractors exploit so easily. The man has been so vilified and denounced as an incurable pessimist, extremist, and religious bigot. Despite the attacks from his sworn political enemies, based on his comments, and principally his antecedents as the military Head of State, when the man stepped on so many toes, the General remains undaunted as he continues to fire more salvoes. Lately, he reiterated his earlier warning that Nigeria is at the precipice of collapse. He particularly warned that Nigeria may not survive after 2015 elections.

As usual, the Federal Government asked us to ignore the General. However, I am compelled to think that there is need to separate the message from the messenger, to this extent, the Federal Government can afford to ignore the General, if they can, but Nigerians should not ignore his message. For whatever misgivings that they have about the General, if one truly put aside those prejudices that have laced our thinking, one cannot but accept that the man is making sense after all. However, without sounding immodest, many Nigerians, at least based on the comments made on social networks and online dailies, suggest clear political naivety or complete lack of logic. Not just about the comments on General Buhari’s comments or his positions on national issues, but on sundry matters as it relates to Nigeria. Some of these comments are sickening and quite outlandish.

Few months ago, many were alarmed when the General said that “if what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’ The man was commenting on the purported rigging of the 2011 general elections. The response from the Federal Government, led by the PDP was quite vicious. There were also comments made by so many important stakeholders who roundly condemned the comments of the General as too fatal, and least expected from an elder statesman. The three words harped were: dog; baboon; and blood. I can imagine that the following weekend, after the comments of the General, many Alfas on Friday in different Mosques, Pastors and Priests in different Churches on Sunday prayed against the dog, baboon and blood! One could of course imagine, the very loud, ‘we reject it in Jesus name’ slogans. My take on that is quite simple, if you are not planning to rig elections why must you bother yourself about dog, baboon and blood?

In as much as one does not want to dwell on the dog, baboon and blood theory of Buhari, the realities on the ground suggests that we should be brave enough to accept some realities, not to be dependent on the expediency of political correctness of General Buhari’s comments. The leadership must wake up from their slumber and delusion. There is too much lies and denial going on. Perhaps we should go on a memory lane. Before the January 1966 coup, there was a reported encounter between the then, Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and some journalists. The journalist asked the Prime Minister what he was doing about the political situation in the Western Region, that the West was burning, Balewa looked in the direction of the west, and said to them, he could not see fire burning in the West. He denied the very obvious then, unfortunately he was consumed in a very unfortunate situation shortly after that encounter.

We should be honest enough to accept that indeed the nation is sliding very fast. It is expedient to be decisive in dealing with the issues in a profound philosophical manner, and with high sense of patriotism. Although General Buhari based his anxiety on the flawed process of democratic engagement, however, there are many issues that made one to wonder if this country can truly survive. It is simply overwhelming.

I am just wondering again if a nation can ever survive, when it has security agencies that cannot truly secure the main source of its income. I am yet to understand how a nation can survive when it is paying millions to ex militant to secure oil pipeline and yet, the system cannot sufficiently fund the police. It may be interesting to know how much goes to Nigeria Police or Civil Defence and how much goes to pipeline security contract. Can a nation survive on this type of arrangement?

I am just wondering, if a nation can survive when a man stole N23b from Police Pension Fund was jailed 2 years with option of fine of paltry N750, he paid immediately and went home! Just like that! Can a nation survive such an onslaught?
Oby Ezekweselie, accused the Federal Government of misappropriating N67billion Naira, Minister of Information has rather resorted to fallacy of what about you! Is that the issue? Truly can a nation survive with this kind of arrangement?
Can a nation that has lost its values ever survive?

Benedict Oladipo KOLEDOYE
Swansea University United Kingdom

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of SaharaReporters

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Comments

17 comment(s)

Nigera Can Survive

Submitted by Ricardo (not verified) on February 1, 2013 - 08:55.

I agree with what Patrick has to say on this. There is a good chance for Nigeria to survive. If citizens of the country start demanding strict laws then there is a possibility.

Mr Lubem. You have been

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 16:11.

Mr Lubem. You have been consistent in your stupidity and very uncouth. You refer to yourself as a well meaning Nigerian that is at best delusion of highest order. From your very stupid comments it shows you are not. thank God for Nigeria. I seem to agree with the person who feels you have something personal with the writer. Why can't you sort yourselves out, but not when discusing serious issues. In your thinking every Nigeria outside the country run away from Nigeria. What a foolish thinking. I am sure you are one of those benefiting from the decay of the system. The likes of you should either be in an asylum or jail. I have better things to do than be having exchange with you.

Luu Bem What is wrong in a

Submitted by Raymond (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 10:50.

Luu Bem What is wrong in a clarion call for better ways of doing things? You got it all wrong! I think, you should go back and read the article. Is that judgement a right signal for good morals, and nation building? Should that judgt not worry you? Is that the best for our country? You definitely dont have passion for Nigeria, If you have passion, it is misplaced! Nigeria cannot improve and grow on a complacent attitude such as yours. We all love Nigeria! Please dont live in delusion! Remember few years ago, nobody would have imagined, the magnitude of looting, high rate of kidnapping, not to talk of suicide bombers and terrorism. Your thinking that Nigeria has seen more than this in the past and is still surviving is very distrubing!
This is not the first time governmenet officials and institutions come out with figures, I hope you are aware of that. Enjoy the rest of the day, fellow Nigerian!
I wish you the best.

More ignorance

Submitted by mustafa (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 10:13.

My friend you seem to be more ignorant than the writer,or you are one of those in this country who would not tell themselves the gospel truth. Let a referendum be done in Nigeria and let us see if the country will not be seperated. The few greedy politicians want nigeria to remain the way it is,not united,because of their selfish interest.We have survived in the past like you said,but I think nigerians now know that there is a thin line between what is holding them and there welfare. Dog,baboon and blood may be the case in 2015. Educate yourself more,dear friend,be more practical and realistic.

Reply

Submitted by Luu Bem (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 06:41.

Raymond you are not some1 dat shud be taken seriously!
Did you compare the figures Oby mentioned and the authentic figures issued by CBN? The CBN was speaking from a more authoritative perspective than her.
Pls read todays flagship papers for more on the foreign reserve issue.
Again,Benedict alleged dat cos a judge passed a judgment against a pension scam man means Nigeria wi not survive. U shud know dat d judiciary is guided by laid down rules & procedures.
The issues raised by Benedict are not weighty enough to divide d country. Nigeria has seen more dan dat but is still surviving..

Reply

Submitted by Lubem (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 06:24.

Mr anonymous....I can see how people that are not in the country can remotely control you. As for me and other well meaning Nigerians, we are committed to the Nigeria Project. Like Eric Donaldson, 'I will never run away' from the land of my birth and stay in Swansea like Benedict.
You must also know that the level of my interaction with people is obviously higher than yours. What I can see sitting cannot be seen by you even if u climb the tallest iroko tree in your neighborhood. Just shut up....

The Christian Association of

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 02:11.

The Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja reacted to the allusion to Jesus Christ by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, on a social media.The body condemned el-Rufai, saying he was only tring to whip up sentiments around religion for a selfish agenda.CAN urged religious leaders and political associates to advise him on the need to be sober and circumspect, in his comments to avoid setting the country on fire.”The organisation, which also asked President Goodluck Jonathan to check the former minister, added that from his unbridled assault on the Christian faith, el-Rufai was capable of “setting the country on fire.” The ex-minister had, in an attempt to discredit Labaran Maku; Dr. Doyin Okupe; and Dr. Reuben Abati, tweeted, “”@zebbook: If Jesus criticises Jonathan’s govt, Maku/Abati/Okupe will say he slept with Mary Magdalene.”….LWKMD…..”

Buhari is no presidential material-is he not fighting tinubu?

Submitted by DERI (not verified) on January 31, 2013 - 00:34.

Was it not the same Buhari who said opposition parties which complain of being rigged out of elections, simply do so because they do not have the means or the resources to steal themselves into power? That if they had-the means they would have done worst than the ruling party-Now the same man is talking about dogs and baboons! Buhari should just retire-cause he is too empty for us! Prior to the 2011 elections, the same man did urge his backers in Boko haram, to lynch all those who voted for Jonathan and they did. It resulted in the murder of over 1,000 9jas and 11 youth corpers during the post election riot in the Fulani North! Hear the writer-(Few months ago, many were alarmed when the General said that “if what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.’ let him soak himself in his own blood-not 9jas

You truly goof Lubem, You

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 21:01.

You truly goof Lubem, You suffer more ignorance than the author of the article, the fact that comments are made by Nigerians in disapora does not mean that they are not well informed about the happenings in Nigeria. Your comment is utter rubbish.

Off the title!

Submitted by Lucky (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 21:00.

The writer lost it... (too much focus on Buhari, which to me is off the title). Good intention though.

It shows dear Lubem, that you

Submitted by Raymond (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 20:54.

It shows dear Lubem, that you are completely out of tune. You certainly need enlightenment. The writer has captured perfectly the situation perfectly well here. Tje writer pointed out those who live in delusion, you are their spoke person. With people like you Nigeria is in serious dangers, mind you the writer asked a pertinent question he did not say Nigeria cannot survive. Did you read the reaction of Ezekweselie to the figures and statics being branded by the CBN and Information Minister? You called the writer infamous? If you guys have anything personal deal with in more sensible way. Thanks to the writer for this thought provoking article

Response

Submitted by Lubem (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 19:54.

I don't know when the infamous writer of this article came to Nigeria last. But be that it may, it is instructive to categorically state here that Benedict Oladipo KOLEDOYE is writing from a high level of ignorance of the prevailing situation in our der country.
The empty threat by Buhari is not and can never be enough basis to gauge the survival or otherwise of Nigeria.
Inspite of more serious challenges,Nigeria has survived and more persons are calling for the unity of the country than the insignificant few that want it to go separate ways.

As regards the baseless allegations by Ezekwesili,I wouldn't want it to detain me here. I will simply refer Koledoye to the authoritative figures made available to the public by CBN regarding the matter.

The General Again

Submitted by zong gem (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 19:41.

Nigeria's election is far from being perfect but when will people like Buhari be happy with things in Nigeria? Someone may casually say, when things get better but I can tell you Buhari will never believe an election is free and fair except he wins. While we should not condole rigging we should also tell ourseves the truth. Is it after we have finish ourselves that we will start having free and fair elections.

Lets Change The Curtain

Submitted by AbdAllah (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 19:34.

The only way we could at least hope for change is the PDP to move out from the Government, because without that they wont be any change of attitudes, environments, even the air we breath has been polluted by them. Dont get me wrong any person will love to see its own zone taking the mantle. But like I always rightly put it, as someone who is so dying for change, I wouldnt mind where the next person will hail from but not on PDP platform, and just as long he will take us to the promising land.
As for the PDP the cultist Clan, nothing good will ever come from them. Better know that now, cause we already sowing the wind which is reaping the whirlwind.

God bless Nigeria.

Do you like this Nigeria to

Submitted by oba (not verified) on January 30, 2013 - 18:58.

Do you like this Nigeria to survive.So that people will continue to die.or So that thieves will continue to rule. Please tell WHY will NIGERIA SURVIVE.