Operating above parochialism…route to new Nigeria
Ashared understanding among many Nigerians, no matter their political or ethnic leaning is that Nigeria is more divided today than ever. This stems from the parochial handling of national issues by the present administration led by Muhammadu Buhari.
The disunion among Nigerians began prior to the 2015 heated elections that saw the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government at the centre. The language of the campaigns by the leading political parties, exacerbated by the media to clinch power by all means, promoted division among religions and ethnic Nigerians.
On assumption of office, instead of healing wounds with ‘ no victor, no vanquished’ strategies, Buhari administration continued to fan the embers of these separations with parochial and sectional appointments and statements that make some sections feel delineated from the rest of Nigerians.
Today, every statement from Nigerians is interpreted from sectional perspectives and it is obvious that without cohesion and mutual understanding, security is threatened and the economy suffers.
Many Nigerian stakeholders who have noticed the
sliding state of Nigeria under the Apc-led administration have raised the alarm. But it is unfortunate that when such caution is made, state actors will descend on such people, calling them unpatriotic and living in denial. Most of the Nigerian stakeholders cannot be wrong.
In January 2018 and 2019, former President Olusegun Obasanjo had raised fundamental issues about the Nigerian state and its future but in line with the Nigerian character, government officials, instead of addressing the issues decided to descend on and impugn the personality of Obasanjo.
On two occasions, Obasanjo made popular statements on the affairs of the nation, drawing attention to pervading poverty, insecurity, nepotism and poor economic management. He said he was constrained to issue the special statements considering the situation of the country. Overwhelming statistics show that Nigerians are now more impoverished than ever before.
Presumably, Obasanjo’s statements in 2018 and 2019 which were seemingly in good faith were for the government to act before it is too late. Instead, Buhari described critics of his administration’s handling of the security challenges in the country as unpatriotic. The President is in the habit of consoling himself that Nigeria was not the only country with insecurity challenges, stating that Nigeria has made progress in addressing insecurity issues.
If Obasanjo’s outbursts sounded unpatriotic for whatever reasons, Abdulsalami Abubakar, another former head of state’s recent outcry against anger and tension in the land should be taken seriously. Abubakar has rallied Nigerian elders to look into the brewing tension across the country. After their meeting, Abdulsalami had told newsmen that the gathering became very necessary because the anger in the land was becoming too much. This is not different from Obasanjo’s warnings.
Other stakeholders have equally toed Obasanjo’s line to warn of tension in the land. Nobel Laurette, Wole Soyinka, has often called on the present administration to take decisive action to arrest the declining economic and insecurity situations in the country.
Someothernigeriansconcerned about the growing challenges posed by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and other insurgents believe that the present administration’s failure to resolve the challenge may have tainted whatever achievements recorded by the APC government.
Analysts believe that President Buhari seems to lack the understanding of the complexity of the country needed for the proper governance of Nigeria. This misunderstanding has promoted nepotism and parochial appointments.
Many stakeholders, who believe that keeping quiet will not assist this government, have since joined Obasanjo’s campaign to call attention of this government to the worsening security situation in the land. Recently also, some elders under the auspices of Burdened Elders Forum after their meeting expressed shock over the level of bloodshed and ethnic bigotry in the nation. The elders include former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Christopher Kolade, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Dr. Shyngle Wigwe, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Ambassador George Obiozor, Dr. Philip Asiodu, among others.
The elders advocated for what they called urgent reprogramming to rescue the nation from its multi-faceted problems.
To stand a chance to salvage Nigeria, the elders said Nigerians must embrace a new programme that values peace, mutual respect and productive engagement of diversities. According to them: “Many people are calling for restructuring of the nation at all costs, but we will plead that such exercise must be preceded by a reprogramming of Nigeria to erase animosities and strife so that all conversations can then be conducted in an atmosphere that is productive, fruitful and peaceful.”
Amidst the escalating security situation across the country, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has equally urged President Buhari to urgently reorganise the nation’s security apparatus.
The party said the President was aware of the solution to nation’s worsening security situation while urging him to act.
In an interview with Businessday, Yabagi Sanni, national chairman of the ADP, noted that current heads of security agencies in the country had failed and should be replaced. “He should appoint more young men as head of security agencies, put them in these positions; Buhari knows where the problem lies, let him act,” he said.
Sanni, who was also the party’s presidential candidate in last February election, however, stressed that the worsening security situation needs a radical approach.
According to him, “The President needs to do more; you don’t just put people into positions; there is the need for him to be proactive and carry out radical changes before things get out of hand.”
Other measures that should be adopted to calm tensions are constant interactions with various sections of the country and stakeholders by Nigeria’s present leadership. Here, Buhari must be commended as he is seen in the recent times holding talks with traditional rulers which we believe is towards restoring peace across the nation. These interactions should continue beyond traditional rulers.
While these interactions are going on, Buhari should balance his appointments to make every region have a sense of belonging. Treat all regions equally. It is interesting to note that a united Nigeria will be a force to reckon with economically and politically in international circles. All hands must therefore, be on deck, starting with the leadership, to keep Nigeria united.