The latest development in Nigeria
is a new addition to a list of pressure groups seeking to redefine the internal
contours of the country’s configuration and operations. In summary they are
part of the silent majority who have been short-changed by failed leadership
since deformed independence in 1960. They have come in various shades and
forms, some violent others non-violent; nevertheless Federal Government
response is expected and usual. Below exhibit a number of gaps in Nigeria’s
statecraft kit towards her questionable responses.
Missing in the Toolkit
Allergy to History – whether it
is the privileged few condemning protests or government officials shouting of
threats to unity, what is clearly evident is palpable hatred of history. The
bold efforts to challenge power and speak to power by the commons are
unexpected due to the fact in the eyes of government elite nothing has changed.
Several administrations and maladministration since 1960, the function of time
seem alien to Abuja in recognising huge gaps in performance for nearly 2 generations.
For a state her citizens always look to the heaven for terrestrial solutions,
power elite refuse to address historical grievances as if history is
irrelevant. Those who refuse to learn from history only repeat its mistakes and
this is what the current administration is facing.
Anathema of Geopolitics – One of
the main features of the administration is the preponderance of colonial
mentality and cold war mindset. Most of the worldview and curiosity is laced in
US-led thinking which incorrigibly refused to countenance reconfigured global
power equilibrium. Other players despite limited military capabilities have
nevertheless spearheaded multi-polar dimension towards international issues. This
absence of nuanced view of global geopolitics and international relations
forced Abuja into unjustified errors. You only need to think of South Sudan and
ask how possible is it for new countries to emerge today without unanimous
consent of Washington DC, Moscow and Beijing. Syria is the hotspot, not
Nigeria!
Lack of Strategic Depth –
Instability and insecurity prevents clear thinking and determined implementation
of concrete policies. Despite all the huge funding and various administrations
it is evident that Abuja has no sustainable structures/understanding to various
issues in different parts of the country. With massive waste of human
resources, idling of specialists and misused of time; unsurprisingly knee-jerk
reaction become the main tool of governance. Thus threat to national unity
becomes political football of questionable characters.
Abuse of Bureaucracy – The recent
issue highlight shameful case of a besieged country. There is a geopolitical
insertion called Boko Haram which to all intents and purposes remains a feature
holding territory, it is very rich for Abuja to shout threat to national unity
on non-violent pressure groups. Disappearance of full weight of law on alleged
corrupt politicians contrasting with rushing of innocent plebes to the same compromised
judiciary to protect One Nigeria is laughable. Department of State Security that should have
been deployed at the first instance to investigate veracity and composition of
group is currently misused as bodyguards posted on social media.
Damn Public Opinion – Even China
pays close attention to citizens’ attention and concerns. Hatred of history,
lack of institutional capacity and lack of strategic depth including taking
citizens for granted allow for errors in governance. These protests do not emerge
out of the blue and actually take time to set out. Even though each group take
calculated risk, they are all united in their certainty that Abuja will respond
with ferocity. In the age of mass media and highly network interaction, young
protesters are made heroes not by government harsh response rather by their clear-headed
out-classing and out-maneuvering of government. Government is embarrassed and unfortunately
forced to play catch up.
Summary
Running a country or state is not
eating cake but those who fight to rule need to show class and mettle in the
face of adversity. Even modest leaders are known to surround themselves with
class acts and tested performers to enable clear policies, monitored
implementation and display real results. Unfortunately Nigerians are no longer
in the mood to wait for excuses, delays and go-slows. They want positive action
now!
No comments:
Post a Comment