Recent and ongoing happenings in Nigeria made me to wonder unconsciously aloud while with friends on New Year’s Eve. My thoughts were to what direction is the Nation headed, Front or Backwards. A friend promptly answered sideways jocularly. I concluded that the country’s direction cannot be categorically defined.
No one in government can emphatically account for the where about and state of health of the president, a public officer, “s”elected to rule us. A country where the president travels out of the country without the proper hand over to his deputy to ensure the proper functioning of government. A country where a minister disregards the orders of the vice president not to travel out because of the fuel crisis which is primarily the responsibility of his ministry. A country in which the observance of the rule of law and respect for the constitution is more preached than practiced. The attorney general who turns and twist the laws of the land to suit his personal gains and those of his masters and cronies; a nation where some of the judgments by corrupt judges can lead to an instant heart attack and mental breakdown. I am still dumbfounded by the ruling of the Federal High Court in Asaba setting free a world renowned treasury bomber – James Ibori. Only In Nigeria will so much legal absurdities happen.
Still grappling with the tarnished image of the country as one of the most corrupt nations of the world and the 419 scams, failed re-branding campaign by the misguided Aunty Dora, failure of the government with it’s seven point agenda, as evidenced by the Vice President admitting to the failure to generate the anticipated 6000MW of electricity, and total anarchy in government, now comes the act of the spoilt, misguided mind of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab – a scion of a parasitic class that has contributed in no small measure to the current state of anomie. Initially in the 80s it was drug peddling, then in the 90s to the present 419, and then now we have added a new badge of dishonor - a terrorist nation! The Nigerian green passport is now such a heavy burden to carry particularly when asked to present it at Immigration in foreign lands. The Instant look from the official on seeing the Green passport says it all. The shame is becoming too much. We should help ourselves as a nation. The country is a laughing stock and a big joke.
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It is surprising that in this same nation we have the likes of Raji Babatunde Fashola, The executive governor of Lagos state. The development in Lagos since the inception of the Fashola administration in 2007 speaks for its self. The governor is showered with encomiums from all corners and also nominated by Guardian as the Man of the Year. Are other governors, ministers and government official blind or deaf to what is happening in Lagos? Only a dumb individual or a warped mind will not want to see Fashola for a second term. This is one of the positives that make one even want to believe that the country is moving forward.
The nation is also on a fast reverse gear with our president in limbo, the attorney general running the country amok, perpetuation of several illegalities with the close collaboration of the highest court of the land.. Suggestions of jettisoning the constitution and making IBB, Ibori or Turai president is simply madness. How can we even imagine such proposition? On a daily basis, there is bizarre politicking and permutation emanating from Nigeria. Supporting the sideways move are those that know the truth and choose the siddon look stance. Our royal fathers, legal luminaries, religious clerics and elders have all failed the nation. As no one or very few can stand up to speak the truth for fear of death (which is a certainty and inevitable in life) or for usual the pecuniary reason.
The nation can be likened to sodium pellet that is dropped in water and immediately darts around with indeterminate direction, uncontrollable, exothermic reaction until the pellet completely dissolves (dies) in the said solution. We are gradually and steadily getting to the point; disintegration of a rudderless nation, but like all normal Nigerian’s
thinking, God Forbid!!!!!!
Dr Chukwuemeka Oliseh-writes from New York, USA
01/01/10
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