My Opinion on the Current Situation in Nigerian politics, and the Criticality of Promoting Patriotism or the Spirit of Nationalism.
I am yet to chat with any Nigerian of our intellectual hue who is not concerned about the current situation in the country. Brother TF expressed his concern/s at a lecture he delivered at LASU (Lagos State University) recently reminding his audience of the toxic political environment in the country, and graciously reminded us that it is no different from that which led to 1967-1970; a civil war that dislocated many Nigerians–not least my own family. Those who forget the lessons of their history are likely to make the same mistakes. Lamentably many, if not most, of our politicians are so concerned about their selfish interests–of acquiring power, money and fame–to even contemplate the problematic outcomes of their actions in the polity.
I would hope that OBJ's admonitions on the probable outcome of the forthcoming elections, and consultation with former Leaders are intended to nip the current and possible future crisis in the bud before it consumes the country. To paraphrase a popular dogma among folks in my village "where an old man sits on a bench and sees an event coming, a young man may climb the tallest Iroko tree and would not see it." Probably, OBJ has seen something coming that was and is why he continues to deliver a warning to his fellow elder statesmen; the same wisdom perhaps informs the alarm that Alaafin TF sounded at his LASU lecture.
I would recommend a careful read of Brother Chidi Amuta's essay: Peter Obi: Man in Black, Politics of 'No!' in ThisDay (also reproduced in this medium) It is, in my judgment, a brilliant essay that reflects on the views of many contemporary observers of Nigerian politics. There comes a moment in the history of a country when a major decision must be made to address its shortcomings. Nigeria with its abundant human capital and natural resources is no exception, and at political crossroads.
To rephrase former President Goodluck Jonathan's clarion call or plea to the country and its youths:
"The country does not 'belong' to those of us who have already gone through political 'menopause.' The country belongs to our youths–our children and grandchildren who are in a healthy and better position to midwife this great country to greater heights developmentally in this millennium, while our sages will serve as a reservoir of wisdom they would look up to for counsel."
My plea to Nigerian Politicos at this point in our history is: "PLEASE GIVE OUR HUNGRY CITIZENS A FISHING ROD–NOT A FISH."
Indeed, in the words of a former US president : "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Ike Udogu
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