Judging by the high scale of optimism and enthusiasm with
which Nigerians (in particular the educated), embraced the cause of action
towards self-rule in the 1950s, any rational thinker would have declared Lord
Lugard’s position or viewpoint as a product of illusion and concentrated
hallucination.
That the Nigeria of the 1960s would turn round into what
it is today was simply unthinkable. But it appeared Lugard saw it. He saw
beyond the façade and the superficiality, getting deep down into the
personality make-up of the Nigerian.
As revealed in the table above, one or two zones have had more shots at the presidency than others nevertheless, the truth remains that all the leaders or rulers had, to a large extent, manifested the traits identified by Lugard.
To begin with, Nigeria has had 13 presidents or Heads of
states, seven of whom were from the armed forces and six through the ballot
box. Throughout these periods of change of government, Nigerians had
experienced more of leadership driven by concern for the moment rather than the
future. This probably accounts for the “tradition” whereby every new
administration simply set aside the programmes and projects of a previous one.
This practice is so pronounced that two administrations of the same party are
not exempted. A few instances where a new government chose to continue an
existing project, the plans, structure and personnel on ground were summarily
overturned and replaced. Many of such projects ended up as white elephant.
By their actions, those Nigeria has had as leaders
usually viewed their ascendancy into position of power as a “reward” of some
sort. Often, public offices are parceled out or allotted as compensation to
their ilk, friends, colleagues and relations.
A number of enlightened politicians who are expected to
know better often surrender all of their knowledge, sense of responsibility and
competence to political party machinery and hierarchy. As far as they are
concerned, the only meaningful thing to them is the interest of the party’s
chieftains.
Recently, the Governor of the Nigeria’s Central Bank,
Mallam Lamido Sanusi was reported in The Punch newspaper saying, “the greatest
challenge facing Nigeria is the challenge of a people who have lost sight of
the importance of merit and not corruption”.
Quite a number of the recipients of national honours
handed over to them by the current administration led by Goodluck Jonathan,
have running battles with state agency against corruption- the Economic and
Financial Crime Commission.
This agency and others like it are often
short-circuited and circumvented by executive actions and party machinery.
Currently, state governors in Nigeria move within the
country in a convoy of exotic cars. Some do parade 15 or more of the fleet of
bullet proof vehicles that move them and their retinue of personal assistants.
As if that was not enough, a number (if not all) of the governors now junket
from state to state or travel abroad in leased or acquired aircraft. Presently,
the substantial majority of Nigerians have no access to public tap with clean
or healthy water.
The Nigerian president
has between five and seven expensive, state of the art aircraft in his fleet.
Yet, the country does not manufacture any brand of car nor produce spare parts
for aircraft. Are these not power display? Loud sound of siren, do precede and
succeed a governor or the president’s passage. Unemployment is very high in
Nigeria even as holders of PH.D (doctor of philosophy) are seeking driving job
opportunities.
Whereas the British Prime Minister moves in Britain with
ease, not causing a stir, it is not so in Nigeria. The extended convoy,
entourage and security panorama are enough to wake up one in deep slumber.
Display of Power, isn’t it?
Without any regard for the Nigerian Constitution, the
president’s wife, the wives of state governors, local government chieftains
among others are given offices under the guise of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). These women and their phantom projects are funded
directly (though officially) or indirectly through so-called donation from
political party chieftains and government contractors. This is nothing but
dangerous display of power.
Nigerians consume foreign rice in excess of 40billion
naira ($250Million) annually. With a budget of over three trillion naira (about
$18.76billion) yearly, this country is not made sufficient in any area of food
production. Pepper, tomatoes, groundnut and vegetable oil, cows, milk, beans,
salt, toothpick, fabrics, clothes among others are imported in huge quantity.
When will Nigeria experience the true leadership, a people in whom there is the
fear of God? When will they who appreciate the value and understand the essence
of power and are tamed to realize and carry out the responsibility thereof
emerge?
As we approach the
twilight of the 100th year of the birth of Nigeria, I believe now is
the time to reverse all that Lugard saw and spoke about since 1926. It is a New
Day, a New Dawn, A New Nigeria. Let us march together, for, the glory of the
Lord is risen. Libertocracy beckons.
(Concluded)
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