"June 12" 20 years on... Is Nigerian politics for 'Love' or 'Reason'?

A rather insignificant looking day of the month has now come to be one of the most notable dates in the history of Nigeria. It started like any other day until everything about the 1993 election  that came to bare on that fateful 12th of June went awry.

For many Nigerians, this electioneering period marked the begining of the present democracy that the country is enjoying. Indeed, a lot of hopes were dashed at the time, after the votes that presumed M.K.O Abiola as the clear winner of the presidential election was annulled, but that not withstanding, the flame had been lit to light the country's journey out of millitary rule, and thereby confirming the age old saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. I quickly counted the years from 1993 till date in my mind, after I read a Newspaper article that said "commemorating 20 years" It seemed untrue that so much time had passed.

Many analysts say that politics is central to our civilisation and that its meaning changes with every change of culture and circumstance. If this is true, as we commemorate this day bearing in mind our various political reasons and biases, I think  the "White Elephant" surrounding us is the present political System in place, and it is for this reason that I am unable to recognise if our politics and political machines have accommodated our culture and circumstances well enough to ensure 'sustainable' civilisation.

In his book Politics, A very short introduction, Kenneth Minogue Professor Emeritus of Political Science from the London School of Economics described the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century, using classic examples  of Greeks and Romans, who are often considered as masters of politics, to urge us to understand why politics is perceived to offer the much needed order and security.
He said:

 "Politics among ancient Greeks was a new way of thinking, Feeling and above all being related to one's fellows. Citizens varied in wealth, Beauty, and intelligence but as citizens they were all equal". He also pointed out that "The politics of Greece was based on reason, but that of the Romans was based on love-love for Country"..... Sweet and Fitting it is to die for one's Country - Wrote the Roman Poet Horace, in a line which long represented the noblest of political Sentiments.................

Although these models had their weaknesses, in my opinion, they maintained human dignity and provided security to a large extent. If indeed June 12 can be considered as the bedrock of our present democracy, in 20 years we ought to have come a long way even if it is by learning from past mistakes. I think it will be worthwhile at this Point, to consider what virtues characterise our politics today, is it Love? Reason? or Others?

Photo Source: Google

Much Ado about Wealth Creation

I guess the idea of a media chat was perceived to be the perfect tool in the on-going search for the most potent instrument to hold the Nigerian government accountable, but for a lot of people like me the enthusiasm to participate or even listen-in is dead!
One of the reasons being that it’s appropriateness in terms of providing a platform for real debate and a one on one engagement between the “Leader” and “the Led”  is no longer cogent
Unable to tune into the most recent media chat with the President myself, before he headed for the D8 meeting in Pakistan, I relied on tweets on my phone to give me the background as well as the main issues the ordinary man was pursuing.
There was so much talk about the failed Lagos-Ibadan Expressway contract, the effect the floods that wreaked havoc in the middle belt areas of the country might have on the availability of food as well as Mr. Presidents opinion on the outcome of the American election.
However, but then a friend of mine put everything in focus, when he tweeted this: I always wait for the punch line and for me the punch line was “I never promised to reduce poverty, I promised to create wealth!”
I will be cynical enough to point out the comedy material that this provides for, although in my defense, my statement isn’t to deride Mr. President’s remarks in any way, but to commend his insight!
I say this because on reading my friend’s tweet, three things took center stage for me, the economy, the “stakeholder” and the individual; one tweet even said immediately he made that pronunciation, he dashed the hope of a hundred million people. However, it is at this stage that I would like to declare how much we overrate or misuse the idea of democracy.
Many consider it a borrowed concept but systems of government like many other things are adopted and adapted to suit peculiarities I think in simple terms I can liken it to a situation where as a woman I see a fellow woman wearing a dress or a beautifully tailored material and I simply go to the same shop and buy the dress in my size or better still buy my own material and copy the style to fit my own body shape
In as much as we view democracy as a platform for political freedom as well economic growth and prosperity, I think that certain inevitable variables come to play in each society for true democracy to reveal itself, and in some cases it could be as basic as the ability of a family at the very bottom of the income grid, to provide itself with three square meals.
People often cringe when the media, the western media in particular is flooded with news, views and pictures of “Poor Africa”, malnourished children as well as dead pasture and in arable lands.
It is in the light of such reasons, that I am assuming the promise of “Wealth Creation” might have been Mr. Presidents style of metaphorically acknowledging the country’s gross misappropriation of wealth.
We know Wealth to be the abundance of valuable resources or material possessions; that everyone wishes for whether as a group or individually.
In a bit of academics, Adam Smith who is often regarded as the father of Economics says it is, “the annual produce of the land and labor of the society, at its simplest, that which satisfies human needs and wants of utility”.
If we want to avoid using poverty to describe the lack of human needs and utility it is ok. But it is also important to point out that wealth was created even if poverty was not reduced. However it is important to seek it out. Hence I ask, “Wealth where art thou?”

Originally Published in Premium Times Newspaper

Our fallen Compatriots on my mind

Just like almost every one else, My heart goes out to the victims of the ill-fated Dana Air. The loss is enormous and to say its's a pity might even be an understatement in trying to describe the extent of some of the losses.

I received the news with so much shock  and disbelief particualrly because I didn't have enough time to hope for survivors, it was immediately revealed to me that there were none! It was one of those moments that you go from oh my God!! then No It can't be..... after going through all these emotions myself, I now feel sheepish to admit that I clung unto a new prayer which said "oh God I just pray that I don't know anyone on that flight" However, as if I was being totally ignored the manifest came out and the list of people I knew felt endless I couldn't bear to peak at my Facebook page lest I become laden with grief.

Now days after the sorrow is still rife, the sorrow is no longer on the increasing number of casualties or more frustrating the loved ones we happen to know directly or indirectly, but a sorrow directed at our feeling of helplessness, especially when the resolve to make it right is weakened by the thought of the challenges that flood to our minds immediately we dare to think about a "disaster" free country.

My friend was upset for many reasons after the crash, like all of us she was also in the dilemma of who to blame, she criticised me for putting up a picture of the crying President on my profile, saying "It is heart breaking and that ***** is shedding Crocodile tears" she further went ahead to acknowledge that in a different plot, 20 people died in Bauchi...... but then what I found more thought provoking was the following:

"So tell me, how do you live by LUCK? the day you did not go to church and your church is bombed you say you are lucky Thank God, because you changed your flight from evening to morning and it crashed you are lucky. You miss your flight, then you are lucky? You did not go to the market on the day it was bombed, then it is testimony time. How long can we be lucky?

It is this same question I have been asking myself subconciously, at the risk of sounding like a staunch believer of science  I wonder.... I feel heavy in my heart to say the words but I wonder how many more innocent  lives will have to be sacrificed before we get it right. My friend thinks Luck isn't enough, I share this sentiment but I would also like to ask, will it be justifiable to simply blame it on fate and the inevitability of Death?

Again my heart goes out to all the grieving families, may God in his infinite mercy grant you the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss

Security is the grand normative

Some ironies are self-annulling. Take the phrase ”blissful ignorance” for instance, and try make sense of it. To be sure, you couldn’t be bothered about anything you knew nothing about, and if you ask me to be specific, I will point at the feelings of betrayal and fraud.
We all want the best in life, and I believe even providence designed it that way, but before I become too philosophical Iet me trade off my frustration quickly. I have been trying to make sense of the so-called “Subsidy Report” and its 62 recommendations. The probe itself was instituted on the 8^th of January 2012, but trust me I already had a vague idea of what the outcome would be and the subsequent proceedings that will unfold which will gradually pave way for an inquest that in turn will inspire it to be laid to rest. In the sense of a ritual also,  “we” will praise the government for being brave enough to have staged it in the first place, use it as an example to other similar issues that may arise, and, afterwards give up exasperatedly at the end and blame our system for making it impossible to “dig deep” into such occurrences or even make it successful enough to have a scapegoat!
When it’s all said and done, the story dies a natural death as if I am the only one talking about it at the moment.
Previously, every time I heard “going green” I associated it with being vegetarian and I automatically excluded myself. Along with a friend of mine, we listened to opinions of farmers who were blaming low crop yield to lack of NPK fertilizer and my friend smirked saying even the most scientific countries are turning to organic farming and here we are like a moving car behind a parked one, the irony was always very funny given how easy it is to come across all sorts of garbage that can be classified as organic.

Photo Source: 123RF

I listened to an interesting debate on BBC Africa titled “Africa’s global image: Justified or Prejudiced?” there was quite an impressive collection of opinion but two stood out to me. One was that Africa had its reputation in its hands and is free to shape it however it likes, but such was the post-deterministic discourse that led even progressive Africans to allude more to poverty and disease rather than the geniuses and opportunities that exist, for example telling the story of Africa’s democracy through the lens of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe rather than Ian Khama in neighboring Botswana who is indeed an icon of regional democracy.

The other which made the most impression on me I must underline, is the empiricist construct which opines that once the issue of leadership is addressed, everything will fall into place because right now it is only in Africa where the military teaches democracy, it is only in Africa that the law enforcers are ignorant of the law and it is only in Africa that poachers are employed as game rangers! Quite hilarious, but really, what could be a more accurate description of Africa?
I started on a note that suggested I was going to talk about the subsidy report or probably try to give it my own version of sanctimonious lashing, but no. The massive greed and corruption exposed in this report displays a paradox of need and depravation, which for me is a classic paradox of the security and insecurity I am talking about or how best does one describe the politics of oil in Nigeria?
We are in a time where people are struggling to feel more secure in investment, economic wellbeing and social life. At a time when people unite to vote for an ideology that provides a form of security for the interests they pursue, if Francois Hollande’s victory in France is anything to learn from, a time where the right proportion of knowledge and wisdom is what will sustain security. Japan was powered mainly by nuclear but barely a year after Fukushima the country has gone almost nuclear free to prevent future accidents.

Resources offer the security of a sustainable development but it can only be meaningful if it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Hence while it is imperative to punish those who have violated this rule in favor of self-gratification, it is imperative to note that rather than assume the role of the treasure house security is the key word, not only from terrorist groups and corrupt leaders, ensuring sustainability of what one has, shopping for other resources and seeking a brighter future even when we won’t be part of it no matter how tempting it is to stock our houses with wealth and show people how profiting it is to be in a position to govern.
Originally Published in Premium Times Newspaper

Mali on my mind!

Photo Source: Google

At the risk of playing right into the prejudice of women and fashion or the naive sense of frivolity that we are often accused of, for some unknown reason, every time the country Mali comes to mind, the only thoughts I have are ebony, silk and lanky models with low cut hair, trotting down walkways in various bright, elegant and sharply contrasted couture. I also carry mental images of corresponding blend of Arab and Mediterranean styles that emits lingering incenses. Above all, however, is the memory of colorful walls adorned with African crafts, vintage mud buildings, oriental sounds and an assortment of African Cuisine.
These were the same pictures shattered in my mind after the unexpected coup d’etat that totally befuddled me. Not that I have zeroed out the recurrence of coup in Africa but the thought that the level of confusion following this situation might lead to a total disintegration of the state as in the case of Somalia.
The uprising by the Touaregs which seems to be the trigger for this current dilemma, was something I followed with keen interest because I had subconsciously interpreted it as a Boko Haram style revolt in Nigeria, which, though different in approach, seem to be expressing discontent over subliminal social issues that have otherwise straightforward social answers.
Ahmadou Toumane Toure was one of my favourite African leaders mainly because of his unrivalled type of humility, and I cannot have enough of his famous quotations that: “Quand j’etais enfant, je rêvais d’ete Millitaire, mais quand j’etais devenu millitaire, je n’avais jamais peure être president”  [“I wanted to become a military man, but when I became a military man, I never wanted to become president…”]
He was nicknamed “Premier brick” by his populace which is the French expression of laying a foundation or the first block to commence a building project, and here was a man who does not believe in being idle, hence he dedicated himself to the pursuit of infrastructural development, and job creation for his beloved citizens with the meager resources available to him. In one of the cruelest ironies of modern statehood, the seat of government has granted him his wish, the wish of not wanting to become a president.
Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1990, the military has reclined to the barracks where they have turned their focus to the primary role of ensuring security within and outside the country, maintaining our territorial integrity, carrying out the objective that Africa is indeed the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, and if I may add, doing so in a hefty, lavish lifestyle that often insinuates that their take home package is nothing like it was even when they were in power, some cynics even say that it has something to do with the security vote that is unaccounted for and in recent times, the whooping increase in the security budget as a result of political tensions, ethnic and religious violence.
Despite this detached attitude people haven’t stopped seeking for a military rule to replace the democracy we have, it is very amusing that some even thought that the Coup should have been in Nigeria rather than Mali which is a bit more conservative and has only homogeneous problems to deal with.

Of Neighbours
Not long ago, the military overturned the government in neighboring Niger and then handed over to civilian rule after cleaning up the “mess” that the civilian rule created in the first place, this is not downplaying the fact that dear Naija will soon be completing 14 years of a successful transition to civil rule.
The trouble is that rebel groups like the Touaregs will continue to spring up now, even in geometric progression, because they are fueled by an acute sense of dissatisfaction to gain relevance. The irony again here is that by creating a thirst for solutions, processes like this end up making a statement of crushing institutions and personages regardless of whether they had anything to do with the cause of the dissatisfaction in the first place.
The list of things currently being contested as a consequence of this coup is endless, from the essentials like Land, water, food and shelter to assets like oil and Uranium which is becoming necessary to have a complete arsenal of armory that will guarantee the best security. Libya has always been Muamar Gaddafi’s Libya all of sudden we now see it as a state with more than 350 ethnic groups, which an outsider can hardly differentiate
After Wade’s gracious exit in Senegal, I could hear confident murmurs of the ship finally stirring towards the right direction, but again my pessimism gets the better part of me, I look at South Sudan and remember the struggles of John Garang and how he must have possibly smiled in his grave after the secession in July last year and I cannot help using the expression in my mother tongue that says “kwalliya bata biya kudin sabulu ba” which makes good the claim that the make-up isn’t worth the cost of the soap.
Indeed we need a stable and credible democracy but I think it is time for a home made one, one that will include our peculiarities rather than put square pegs in round holes; one that will help us device our own checks and balances so we can curb the plagues that we frequently disguise with euphemisms. How many are willing to commit? The renegade soldiers in Mali walk round getting accolades and applause from their supporters in the city, despite the fact that they seem disorganized, clueless and bereft of ideas on the next step to take– or what are we talking about?

Originally Published in Premium Times Newspaper

Musing over our political rhetoric



Photo Source: zazzle.com


It is indeed worthwhile to stop and examine events of recent years in the world in order to put them into context for our own local Nigerian politics.
I will argue that the logical starting point should be the American presidential campaign, and the ongoing struggle for nomination by the Republican Party candidates.  Without straining, or even exerting too much attention, it is clear that some of the things that the American electorate is considering, in order to make informed choices, regarding the candidate of their choice, does not even centre around notions like the state of origin, or the religious affiliations of the respective candidates, but on substantive policies that address the basic necessities of life, and policies which reach out to citizens.

Just in case there are those who want to plead ignorance on these matters, these are issues that include things like fuel prices, jobs, taxes, the complexion of the public sector, foreign policy management, values that uphold the tradition of family, and, in a broader sense, the policies that will guarantee security and sustainable development in a manner beneficial to the young.

Although it is true that many citizens bring different biases to underscore some of their choices, however, we often see reasoned efforts at severe consideration of the various proposals, as well as an openness and willingness to tolerate difference and opposition with respect to some of the issues at stake which often runs counter to widely accepted norms.

The Issue

While it is not my intention to make a comparison between Nigeria and America or any other country, it is inevitable for us to ignore the silent tussle, or what I would like to call the “war of regions” that is playing out in Nigeria today, and which, when put together invariably generates a disturbing disconnect, and a feeling of melancholy about why for us here, the first principle is about region and an eagerness to trigger the threat to secede. This is the standard staple echoed by our so-called “first class elite” and the “elite middle class” of all the regions in question. Never for them, a focus and commitment to those policies that will make us grow beyond our weaknesses.

I cannot now think of a more plausible reason for adopting a federal system of government rather than addressing the peculiar needs of peculiar people, because the beauty of this system is that it allows for a grass root level to function in a manner that will provide the opportunity to foster development.
In most countries operating a federal system of government, the responsibility for revenue sharing and even determination of the criteria employed is often left to an independent fiscal commission as was the case in 1946 and 1990 if we recall the role played by the National Revenue and Fiscal and Commission.


However, from what is obtainable at the moment, each level of government is guaranteed a percentage from the central pool that is called the federation account. If we say that this federation account is fed mainly by the revenue derived from the following four major categories: Tax, Agriculture, Export of raw materials and Crude oil, the latter being the most lucrative, the question lingers as to the distributive equity we adopt in sharing this revenue. Going through our previous constitutions, regardless of its defects, I find the treatment of revenue allocation under the Macpherson constitution a bit more appealing to what should have formed the basis of a successful solution to the current irregularities in the Nigerian context

The problem of revenue sharing

Although sharing revenue based on the principles of derivation, need, and national interest, at that time was somewhat alienating, what is most striking about the perceived discontent right now is an existing lopsidedness in development; a lopsidedness I will argue is orchestrated two vices –corruption and self-interest.
Then there is the frustrating anger we must feel at the fact that the chunk of the money continue to stay within the federal purse, and is administered and managed by the Federal government to the obvious neglect of the rural areas where almost 80 percent of Nigerians live.

In the consideration of revenue distribution and development, my argument will be that we give serious attention to the local government, noting that the lives of 80 percent of our compatriots is determined here, and that even though they are passive participants in the politics of revenue sharing, their ultimate concern is how to get good accommodation in a safe environment, potable water, food, and an assured future for their kids.
Nothing has ached me more than the vain arguments of our northern governors now clamoring for more revenue, and using revenue deprivation as an excuse for their greed and gross incompetence, an incompetence that has led to the inexcusable underdevelopment of the north, where, all of a sudden, poverty has been made synonymous with our region. 
Frankly I cannot think enough of these our governors looking for fast cash, like the infamous gangster, playing poker in a Las Vegas casino at the expense of the poor, the same poor for whom such considerations like ethnicity or religion make no sense in the first place; and who live on a day to day basis trying to create comfort out of a prepaid life because they are unable to plan for more than the next 24 hours.

Ultimately, the unattended part of the discourse on revenue distribution is of course that of revenue production. We are concerned about sharing the cake but less concerned about baking it. This is after all what sets us aside from the western nations of the world who put greater premium on taxes.
I long for the day that this becomes the basis of our revenue dialogue rather than on transient resources that offer no hope for a sustainable future and which helps to fuel a vicious cycle of corruption and self interest leadership. When that day comes, then the new slogan of governance shall be “what can I do for the country” rather than “how much can I make from the country during my tenure” God Bless Nigeria!

Originally Published in Premium Times Newspaper

Africa's Ageless Leaders

Foto Source: African Examiner

“This is the man to trust” was the campaign slogan for Senegal’s Septuagenarian Abdoulaye Wade as he fiercely sought for a third term in office after successfully completing two full terms.

This is in spite of the fact that his first tenure was responsible for adjusting the country’s constitution to allow a President to serve for only two terms in office.

I tried to observe the events that unfolded in Senegal keenly even though my subconscious kept warning me that it would be the same “happy ending” as we have come to know it, where another defiant African sits tight in power.

As days went by Senegal became the setting of the most thrilling news game in town. It was a hilarious clash of headlines from hopeful ones like “Senegal, one of Africa’s most stable democracies is facing its most tumultuous polls since independence”, to flat comments expressing loaded anxieties like “Senegal’s Wade to battle ex-allies in vote.”

However, the most attractive by my own interpretation was bound to have a Nigerian flavour: “African envoy Obasanjo heads to Senegal to defuse tension.”

The irony is vivid if not palpable but in truth, it wasn’t even my desire to allude to certain contextual cues that instantly recalls memories of the infamous Nigerian “Third Term Agenda.”  What was most exciting for me was the sense of pride and elation I savoured privately at the thought that the prominent international role of mediating this democratic impasse went to an elder statesman from my home country.

Frankly I did not expect Abdoulaye Wade to readily agree to withdraw his candidacy after a brotherly chat and probably after a few drinks with Mr. Obasanjo, but negotiating with him to stay only two years in power “If” he wins was nothing but a breakthrough moment in diplomacy.


 Instances where the people prevailed
The Arab spring came along with a lot of hope for Africa after it triumphed in the most conservative and subservient, or so we thought Arab countries especially in the north of Africa. Many argued that the Arabs, unlike black Africa, are hot tempered in the dimension that makes it difficult for them to negotiate easy resolutions, and achieve modest concessions.


“It is all about their mentality to be un-compromising” I have heard people say, contrasting them to the resolve that appears to be lacking in black Africa. Fighting to the death, although a noble trait in the face of high principles, simply does not add up when the desired goal takes a long time to gestate if what is going on in Syria is of any reference for us today.

This, invariably, brings us to the big question on the longevity of service of our rare breed of leaders within the 75 to 100 age window.  These categories of leaders create a monarchy out of their forced self-succession in power.

My people say “what an old man sees standing, a young man cannot see even when he is on the highest elevation available.” As the lessons of history counsel us, it is the protean status of these seat tight leaders that engenders public distrust and confusion. Our leaders usually started well, quoting the apt rendition of Chinua Achebe, as  “Men of the People.” But they are also adept at mutating midway as strong leaders unwilling to vacate power.

Other notable examples!
It is appropriate to reference a few good examples at this point. The case of Laurent Gbagbo, the history professor, rhetorician, and wordsmith, who earned the nickname Cicero, is worth telling. Gbagbo suffered deprivation himself under the endless but brutish rule of President Félix Houphouet-Boigny, and when he first came to power was considered a saviour but ended up in disgrace for plunging his country to war and terrible murder.


Robert Mugabe became a national icon and a force of reckon after he challenged the white minority rule of Ian Smith in Zimbabwe. His swearing-in ceremony in 1980 was one filled with gratitude, so much emotion and renewed hope. But it is now 32 years and even the euphoria felt at the time is obviously extinct.

In Cameroun, after succeeding President Ahmadou Ahidjo, who resigned surprisingly in 1982, Paul Biya has continued to be president even though he has been accused of being aloof and out of tune with the reality of the country. This is without prejudice to the fact that in 2004, he was limited to a two-term limit in the 1996 Constitution and barred from running for President again in 2011.


In his 2008 New Year’s message, Biya stunned the nation by expressing support for the process of revising the Constitution, saying that it was undemocratic to limit the people’s choice!

Yet it is not all a tale of bleak house, the one person who is still allowing the continent to have a glimpse of that surreal feeling is Nelson Mandela. The question is therefore appropriate as to when we will have another Mandela who showed the world the noble example of serving one term and then stepping aside .
Originally Published in Premium Times Newspaper