February 12, 2010
Every writer must expect certain reactions to their writings. “President Jonathan should understand his new position for what it is—to defend the weak and minority in Nigeria, and reverse the years of exploitation, deprivation, and destruction, which they have suffered, through the unreserved enforcement of all existing laws, including, but not limited to the provisions of the constitution.” The quote is from my previous article, “2011 destination and the agenda for President Jonathan.” While some people, for the quoted excerpt, assumed I was being “sectional” or “tribalistic,” others said laudatory things about the ideas captured in the article.
Saying that someone is “tribalistic” is obviously intended to paint their positions as derogatory and “unpatriotic.” Who is afraid of speaking openly what they say behind closed doors? Nigeria is made up of hundreds of nationalities who did not CHOOSE to live together. This forced union is not being helped by the present undeniable realities. I refuse to pretend and say things that will appear politic and teasing. I am first a Tiv man from Benue state before I am a Nigerian; of course, I am not a “stateless” Nigerian. My first duty is to seek for the interest of my Tiv nation without seeking the destruction of the interest of Nigeria—Unity and Faith; Peace and Progress—which is expressed in form of our national motto.
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I have written copiously and severally that Nigeria can only make progress by that which each of her components contributes. Government officials at the federal level, including the Head of State, have not proved better than public officials who serve in the States and Local government councils of Nigeria. When you take resources derivable from my area to develop other climes, and through some unsavoury policies tie me down so that people from other parts of Nigeria will “catch up”, and expect me to keep quiet if only not to rock the boat, you have proved to be the enemy of Nigeria. What do you think of me when you say I am too corrupt to manage my resources, and so public officials in Abuja should manage them (And those are thieves!)? We are afraid to speak publicly the truth! When some former public officials and Statesmen show by their utterances and actions that power to a public official means power given to a region, then trouble is around the corner for this nation.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in the fore-front of destroyers of Nigeria. In a single breath they champion both ethnic politics through their booty politicking and pay lip service to national unity. Can we build a united nation when we have constantly drummed in our ears sectional and fragmented politics? Can we build a united nation when the political gladiators disenfranchise Nigerians, taking from them the right to run for an elective office at certain seasons, contrary to the provisions of the constitution? Can Nigeria make meaningful progress when we are ashamed to talk publicly about those things that we encourage in our closed town meetings?
I am not from the Niger Delta (some have written me with the erroneous understanding that I am from that part of the nation), but I identify myself with their plight. How rude could Nigerians be (including some from the Niger Delta)! The degradation of their land and water resources by oil companies without consequences is in violation of section 17 (2) (d). The squalor in which the oil communities live is a show of shame, holding up our leaders (including Goodluck Jonathan) as selfish, timid, and deeply stolid. We pretend that existing laws are not strong enough to protect the weak in society and provide good governance. Then, we go about trying to make new laws. Pitiful children! In truth, what are lacking are definitely not good laws, but bold minds in corridors of power. The blanket illiteracy and poverty in the Northern part of Nigeria, where religion is used to abuse the weak must be deplored and reversed. The primary responsibility of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to defend the weak and minority. Let the strong in Nigeria get livid; I offer no apologies.
This is a nation which bases the amount of resources shared on equality of states (and number of states). The South-East region of Nigeria is the only region with ONLY 5 states. Every other region, except the North-West, has 6 States. The North-West region has 7 States. The seventh state in the North-West should have gone to the South-East. The priority among some commentators is electoral reforms. They want electoral reforms before the 2011 general elections. Electoral reforms without equity reforms will be incomplete. We need constitution review before the 2011 general elections. Some argue that time is too short; I disagree. General Murtala Mohammed ruled Nigeria for only 6 months and left an indelible impact. If our political rulers feel they are too incompetent to act in the next one year and put in place those things some of us have identified as urgent, they should resign. If Goodluck Jonathan, David Mark, and Dimeji Bankole cannot galvanize relevant elected officials to put Nigeria on the path of justice and truth, they should resign forthwith. We have plenty of time. We are clear in our minds what needs to be done and how to do it. Any excuses of “time” will call for a revolution. Leaders must reflect the people. Now is the time. We have very little patience remaining.
President Goodluck Jonathan must consult with the military hierarchy and use his wisdom to re-shuffle it or not, even as he is considering the composition of the Executive Council of the Federation. He should not make the mistake Ernest Shonekan made in 1993. You cannot claim to be in charge if you don’t clean the stable, leaving only horses that understand the message from your looks and comply. For those who still expect Yar’adua to return before May 29, 2011, it will be advisable to seek another distraction. Every president worth the name must be able to multi-task.
Goodluck Jonathan can preside over electoral reform, constitution review (to among other things address the lack of fiscal federalism), power-sector and energy transformation, and infrastructure development within a year. If things don’t start brightening up very soon, I fear the consequences. But I shall not be surprised.
Leonard Karshima Shilgba is the President of the Nigeria Rally Movement (www.nigeriarally.org ) and Assistant Professor of Mathematics with the American University of Nigeria.
Email: [email protected], TEL: +234-8055024356
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Saying that someone is “tribalistic” is obviously intended to paint their positions as derogatory and “unpatriotic.” Who is afraid of speaking openly what they say behind closed doors? Nigeria is made up of hundreds of nationalities who did not CHOOSE to live together. This forced union is not being helped by the present undeniable realities. I refuse to pretend and say things that will appear politic and teasing. I am first a Tiv man from Benue state before I am a Nigerian; of course, I am not a “stateless” Nigerian. My first duty is to seek for the interest of my Tiv nation without seeking the destruction of the interest of Nigeria—Unity and Faith; Peace and Progress—which is expressed in form of our national motto.
articleadslinks
I have written copiously and severally that Nigeria can only make progress by that which each of her components contributes. Government officials at the federal level, including the Head of State, have not proved better than public officials who serve in the States and Local government councils of Nigeria. When you take resources derivable from my area to develop other climes, and through some unsavoury policies tie me down so that people from other parts of Nigeria will “catch up”, and expect me to keep quiet if only not to rock the boat, you have proved to be the enemy of Nigeria. What do you think of me when you say I am too corrupt to manage my resources, and so public officials in Abuja should manage them (And those are thieves!)? We are afraid to speak publicly the truth! When some former public officials and Statesmen show by their utterances and actions that power to a public official means power given to a region, then trouble is around the corner for this nation.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in the fore-front of destroyers of Nigeria. In a single breath they champion both ethnic politics through their booty politicking and pay lip service to national unity. Can we build a united nation when we have constantly drummed in our ears sectional and fragmented politics? Can we build a united nation when the political gladiators disenfranchise Nigerians, taking from them the right to run for an elective office at certain seasons, contrary to the provisions of the constitution? Can Nigeria make meaningful progress when we are ashamed to talk publicly about those things that we encourage in our closed town meetings?
I am not from the Niger Delta (some have written me with the erroneous understanding that I am from that part of the nation), but I identify myself with their plight. How rude could Nigerians be (including some from the Niger Delta)! The degradation of their land and water resources by oil companies without consequences is in violation of section 17 (2) (d). The squalor in which the oil communities live is a show of shame, holding up our leaders (including Goodluck Jonathan) as selfish, timid, and deeply stolid. We pretend that existing laws are not strong enough to protect the weak in society and provide good governance. Then, we go about trying to make new laws. Pitiful children! In truth, what are lacking are definitely not good laws, but bold minds in corridors of power. The blanket illiteracy and poverty in the Northern part of Nigeria, where religion is used to abuse the weak must be deplored and reversed. The primary responsibility of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to defend the weak and minority. Let the strong in Nigeria get livid; I offer no apologies.
This is a nation which bases the amount of resources shared on equality of states (and number of states). The South-East region of Nigeria is the only region with ONLY 5 states. Every other region, except the North-West, has 6 States. The North-West region has 7 States. The seventh state in the North-West should have gone to the South-East. The priority among some commentators is electoral reforms. They want electoral reforms before the 2011 general elections. Electoral reforms without equity reforms will be incomplete. We need constitution review before the 2011 general elections. Some argue that time is too short; I disagree. General Murtala Mohammed ruled Nigeria for only 6 months and left an indelible impact. If our political rulers feel they are too incompetent to act in the next one year and put in place those things some of us have identified as urgent, they should resign. If Goodluck Jonathan, David Mark, and Dimeji Bankole cannot galvanize relevant elected officials to put Nigeria on the path of justice and truth, they should resign forthwith. We have plenty of time. We are clear in our minds what needs to be done and how to do it. Any excuses of “time” will call for a revolution. Leaders must reflect the people. Now is the time. We have very little patience remaining.
President Goodluck Jonathan must consult with the military hierarchy and use his wisdom to re-shuffle it or not, even as he is considering the composition of the Executive Council of the Federation. He should not make the mistake Ernest Shonekan made in 1993. You cannot claim to be in charge if you don’t clean the stable, leaving only horses that understand the message from your looks and comply. For those who still expect Yar’adua to return before May 29, 2011, it will be advisable to seek another distraction. Every president worth the name must be able to multi-task.
Goodluck Jonathan can preside over electoral reform, constitution review (to among other things address the lack of fiscal federalism), power-sector and energy transformation, and infrastructure development within a year. If things don’t start brightening up very soon, I fear the consequences. But I shall not be surprised.
Leonard Karshima Shilgba is the President of the Nigeria Rally Movement (www.nigeriarally.org ) and Assistant Professor of Mathematics with the American University of Nigeria.
Email: [email protected], TEL: +234-8055024356
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