When we described the invitation of the strongman- election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 as a 'Mistake of Destiny', some people were asking for evidence, now we're vindicated. The evidence is everywhere. The truth is Democracy is by choice not by force. From a recent Governorship election in Ekiti State, to the silly seige on the Senate President's house, Dr Bukola Saraki and the invasion of the house of his Deputy, Professor Ike Ekweremadu, illegal impeachment attempt on the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, exclusion of political opponents made worst by the new chairman of the ruling APC party with extreme politics ideology, inability of the government to arrest and prosecute killer herdsmen , etc, the whole place is in flames. This can be avoided as history teaches us to elect only good men to power- committed democrats, people with good education, experience and expertise. Men who believe in freedom, fairness, equity and social justice. Men who believe in a fair and just society not 'might is right' or divine rights. The present government in Nigeria lacks democracy ideals, subverts democracy and is only interested in dangerous grips on power at all costs using cruelty and violence. The Southern and Middle Belt leaders said the President should be blamed for breakdown of law and order in Benue State, the Senate President said the government should be blamed if the next elections are not free and fair, the US Government has condemned the endless killings in Nigeria and demands the prosecution of those responsible. Meanwhile , the Pan Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF) has questioned the reason for building another refinery in Kastina State in addition to the one in Kaduna State. The group has threatened to disrupt the country's economy if the President did not meet their 16-point demand for development. The Igbo Apex organisation; Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo says they are no longer confortable being part of Nigeria due to the use of conquering techniques against their citizens. They Igbo leaders said they're not interested in producing the President of Igbo extraction in 2023 but wants the restructuring of the country to guarantee 'equity and justice'. According to their leader; Professor Ben Nwabueze: "What mattered to the people was the restructuring of the country for the enthronement of good governance, stressing that the rancour over leadership would be subdued when an effective system is put in place"-Ndigbo Not Keen On 2023 Presidency, Says Leaders-[The Guardian 29 July 2018]. This should be a huge concern to all. The government has refused to adopt global best practices including the restructuring of the current political structure widely seen as the reason for stagnation and instability, instead they are rolling out controversial policies that plunge the country into endless cycle of ruins. Everything the other side is bad except its in favour of the government. We have witnessed a recent clampdown on Ray Power TV's Political platform accusing the programme of "provocative and divisive comments". We are no longer talking about several clampdown on dissent voices and refusal to release political opponents from detention despite several court orders. Till date the anti-graft agency-EFCC simply intimidate political opponents of the government to weaken their electoral chances. The recent wave of mass defection should be enough warning to the government to thread carefully but the President said he's not bothered by the defections. Violence and conflict leads to unforseen consequences so we must not wait until its too late. Violent attack on the political space is the surest route to anarchy. Avoidance of disaster is great wisdom, those with sympathy for tyranny need to think twice. Ordinary people are the real victims of political crisis which does not bring International legitimacy and Investment rather conflict and more hardships. This is the time for the political elite to demonstrate patrotism and genuine love for the country.
Click on this links to read more:
- 'The Mistake of Destiny': http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/02/today-nigeria-is-not-democratic-country_26.html
- We are no longer comfortable being part of Nigeria-Ohaneze: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/03/nigerias-democracy-and-its-
crisis_13.html?spref=fb
-Igbo Presidency Is Not The Answer To Equality And Liberty in a 21st Century Nigeria: http://www.theleadprojectfoundation.com/2018/04/igbo-presidency-is-not-answer-to.html
Uche Okeke is a Social Entrepreneur and the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation; The Voice of the Poor- Truth And Freedom.
(To be completed soon)
No comments:
Post a Comment