Let me begin with the golden words of Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller, a German theologian and Lutheran pastor. He is best known for his opposition to the Nazi regime during the late 1930s and for his widely quoted 1946 poem: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out–because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out–because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Interestingly, Nigerians are their own problems: sociopathic, subversive, sinister, religiously intolerant, and ethnic bigots. In the recent past months, I have written extensively on the subject of “Destructive” tendencies typically characterized by strong dispositions and self-advertising drives similar to the pre-‘civil war’ era in the sixties in Nigeria. Fast-forward to the pre and post 2023 general elections – it has been hell let loose. The concerns about the Justices presiding over the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) having been under siege, unwarranted attack, intimidation, and harassment in recent past weeks.
Before going further, let me share with us the profound words of Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. “Things Fall Apart” (1958), Achebe’s first novel, concerns traditional Igbo life at the time of the advent of missionaries and colonial government in his homeland. His principal character cannot accept the new order, even though the old one has already collapsed. In the sequel No Longer at Ease (1960) he portrayed a newly appointed civil servant, recently returned from university study in England, who is unable to sustain the moral values he believes to be correct in the face of the obligations and temptations of his new position. Reflecting on our situation and circumstances ‘THINGS’ have fallen apart.
First, we overlook evil, Then we permit evil. Then we legalize evil. Then we promote evil. Then we celebrate evil. Then we persecute those who still have the boldness to call it evil. Let me be very clear when the foundation of where we are today as a nation was laid, ‘block by block’ by former President Olusegun Obasanjo who championed and institutionalized election rigging, particularly the 2007 general elections. Obj commissioned a certain Prof Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu, who conducted a shambolic election, the worst election in modern era. Then, it was ok! It presupposed that there was nothing wrong as long as the “Headless mob” are not offended by the outcome of the fraud. One would have expected to see the same reactions that is currently deployed at the time that the foundation was laid.
It is against this backdrop, that I begin to reflect on the post-election activities of some disgruntled elements pushing for change through unorthodox means. Firstly, it was the balkanisation of our cherished Institutions. For example the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and Mmesoma Ejikeme, but for the confession of the young lady the mob hiding behind ethnicity and religion are up on arms against JAMB on account of their biases; hypocrisy, extremism, and exuberance without corresponding wisdom. Sadly, the flip side of this is to infer that all our institutions are not worthy of the trust of our citizens. In the recent past few weeks, the same measure of incongruous has visited the Judiciary and other establishments like INEC.
These folks are brainwashed religionists and so-called extremists described by Prof Chukwuma Soludo as a “Headless mob” They’re a conglomerate of “Educated” guys and gals, the only thing they lacked excessively is a political permutation. No politically savvy team will think the same line without anyone of them assuming or presuming what can their movement bring that’s unwanted. I once told one of them who takes pleasure in regaling the opinions and wishes of their groups; I made it emphatically clear… (I have nothing against your perception, you own it and it is your right. However, I stand firmly on my conviction that you can’t destroy state Institutions on the basis of unfounded allegations) Justice shall be done regardless of any blackmail. It was after the usual tough talk about the consequences of overrated self-delusions of judgement that must reflect their own wishes. Nevertheless, as a people, we are more concerned about Nation-building not massaging anybody’s ego.
Granted that Nigeria is a very religious country and it is run by ‘men of God’ and Imams or prophets who encourage their congregation to practice religious rituals. An average church in Nigeria will most likely ask you to keep praying for a change instead of working for it. The value system of the country is MIRACLE instead of PRINCIPALS, PROCESSES, and PROCEDURES. Ironically, the same set of our later-day progenitors of good governance who were romancing the power that be then, just suddenly wake up to the reality of having been part of enablers of evil. The truth is that hypocrisy has completely debased our natural sense of judgement and good reasoning.
Thankfully, Prof Wole Soyinka, a 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, succinctly captured their mood, WS posited: “…that makes them all the more noxious, for they hide behind some phony moral force. Kongi warned of populist symbolism as crass opportunism, which could set voters on a joy ride to nowhere, and ultimately end in tears.” More relatively, Anyone who is too extreme and unbending in a stance be it politics, religion or any other is too biased and blinded by their beliefs to see reasons in others. This is part of the warnings and cautions that was completely ignore by those who are wishing for the impossible. IT IS TIME FOR HEALING, LET US REBUILD OUR NATION.
Odusanya is a Mind Restructuring Enthusiast.
