Not just is this country a forced marriage, it has continued to be run as such. Right from the colonial era, the British deliberately ruled the north and south separately in spite of the amalgamation of 1914. The British divided the map of Nigeria in such a way as to favour the north. Obviously, it had greater love for the north than the south. In any case, Southerners were more active in the struggle for independence, why won't they be 'rewarded'. In other words, the British handed over a deeply divided country at independence, they knew this because they were also part of it.
This division with its side effects of ethnic bigotry and tribalism reached its climax in 1967 when the Nigerian civil war broke out between the Igbos (and allies) and the rest of Nigeria. This war threatened to break up Nigeria. In the preceding year (1966), a coup and counter coup occurred because of ethnic suspicion. The war eventually ended in 1970 after 30 months with the slogan "no victor, no vanquished". Ethnic tensions still exist today. Little wonder why the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) and other separatist groups still exist
While ethnic tensions continued, our political terrain was in shambles. The military intervention in politics in 1966 with the first coup has left Nigeria in a bad state. Even before the military intervention, our civilian leaders did not do much to maintain a peaceful political atmosphere. The crisis in the western region, eastern region and the census crisis all provided an excuse for the military to intervene. It is interesting that in spite of the military coup, we have not had sit-tight leaders. Apart from Yakubu Gowon (who lasted nine years), no other head of state (military or civilian) has lasted more than eight years. This can be attributed to the "you chop, I chop" syndrome in Nigeria. Everyone wants to partake in leadership so nobody will be allowed to rule for too long. Only a few leaders have willingly relinquished power. We can also attribute it to ethnic suspicion. No ethnic group wants someone from another ethnic group to rule for long, take Obasanjo's third term bid scenario as an example. Returning to military dictatorship, the enormous they wielded as autocrats made them loot the nation's coffers. The military leaders and their cronies stole the country's collective wealth. There was nobody to question them. Even the courts were beneath their feet. This made the military become attractive since it was now a quick way to money and influence. Thus, the military became politicized. The long reign of the military is more than the civilian rule. Everything was militarized. The military mindset is still in the country that is why inauguration ceremonies for new heads of state (civilian) is heavily militarized. Elections are also militarized. Internal matters which should have been handled by the police (like road blocks) are handled by the military. The Aso Villa itself is a product of military rule. If you stand outside the fence of the villa, you will not see anything apart from bush. In fact, you will wonder if all the fine structures we see on television are actually inside that bush. YES, they are. It is very secluded from the people unlike the White House which is more accessible to Americans. Even Buckingham palace in Britain is more visible to citizens than the Aso Villa is to Nigerians.
The long years of the military institutionalized corruption. Civilian governments are not innocent either. The country has been sucked dry. Once upon a time, our problem was not lack of money, but how to spend it. Right now, the reverse is the case. During the glorious days when crude oil (our major export commodity) was expensive and we had excess money, we refused to save and diversify the economy. Remembering that Nigeria was once an agricultural giant until the advent of crude oil makes one want to weep. We were either looking for how to get hold of power or for how to "cut our own share of the national cake". Now, we are in an economic recession. One US Dollar is almost equivalent to 500 naira. Inflation rate is increasing and money is becoming more worthless but yet less available.
56 years on and Nigeria is still grappling with electrify problems. Even Kenya which we were mocking in the #NigeriavsKenya twitter war has by far more steady supply of electricity than Nigeria. With epileptic power supply, how to we want to encourage industries and stimulate the economy? Most states in the federation do not have pipe borne water. People are forced to drill bore holes in order to survive, those who have the money to do so. After 56 years?
In spite of the constitution declaring Nigeria as a federal republic, the country still operates more like a unitary system. At best, it is feeding bottle federalism (as Ike Ekweremadu described it). The states still depend on the federal government, even to pay salaries. Though it has been attributed to lack of resource control by the states, yet Lagos state is still able to generate its own revenue without federal allocation. That means most states are lazy. There is a lot of power concentration at the center. How can we develop with this kind of system? We must tell ourselves the truth. If we want to be federal as the constitution stipulates, we must decentralize power and resource control. If we continue the way we are going, we should as well amend the constitution and declare Nigeria as a unitary system like General Ironsi did. Right now, there is simply confusion.
The lamentations on Nigeria may never end if I'm to continue. However, we have had some bright sides too. We have successfully stayed together in spite of doomsday predictions. We have successfully entrenched civilian rule and military coup is no longer fashionable in Nigeria. We have even gone a step further by allowing an opposition party defeat the ruling party at the center. We have largely defeated the Boko Haram militants who have threatened us for seven years. Several Nigerians have made us proud at the international scene either in sporting events, academic activities or other events. Among other things, we still have the capacity to be great, by far greater than we are now because of our resources. What we need is the right set of leaders and the kind of followership that facilitates good leadership.
These reflections are not borne out of pessimism. It is a clear statement of reality. Nigeria may be a forced marriage, but that marriage has borne fruits which bind us today. Nigeria at 56 means Nigeria has come to stay. Therefore, we must know where we are and take ourselves out of this mess to greater heights. Happy Independence day. Long live the federal republic of Nigeria!
Well articulated my brother.
ReplyDeleteNice job
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