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By Harold Chinonyerem
William Shakespeare’s historical play, ‘Julius Caesar’, revealed many dynamics of power-play. One of such profound revelations was made by perhaps the most despised character of the Shakespearean plays; Gaius Cassius Longinus. In order to convince Marcus Brutus to stop idolizing Caesar and join the plot to assassinate the dictator, Longinus had declared; ‘Men at some times are masters of their fates; the fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.’ Eventually, Brutus was convinced to join the conspiracy and eventual murder of the dictator. Even though this piece is neither about Roman history nor literature; Longinus’s statement encapsulates the essence of human liberty.
His response to Caesar’s over-bearing influence over Rome reflected his belief that it was unhealthy for one man to wield so much power. Whereas Caesar’s pattern is reminiscent of dictatorships, Cassius Longinus postulated power devolution. Perhaps, it was in silent acquiescence to the Longinus ‘school of thought’ that the world systems conspiratorially adopted the democratic system of government. From the fifth century when Cleisthenes developed it in Athens, democracy offered citizen-participation in government. Its logic is to de-emphasize authoritarian leadership by decentralizing power. Modernized by French philosopher, Montesquieu, the model gained acceptance over time and became the prevailing world leadership model. Widely known in Abraham Lincoln’s words as ‘Government of the people by the people for the people’, democracy gives access to every eligible adult to participate in governance.
In spite of democracy’s prevalence, certain societies have been unable to appropriate its benefits. An example is Nigeria. Heavily endowed with human and natural resources, Nigeria can be aptly described as a paradox of nature. From petroleum to gold to californium etc., the country is blessed with many precious substances. Even in the area of human capital, Nigerian professionals are in high demand all over the world. But despite the endowments; Nigeria remains under-developed and impoverished. My observation is that the Nigerian problem is a reflection of the capacity of the people to condone mediocrity. Over time, the nation has cognitively rebuffed opportunities to change for the better. Unlike many nations that use democratic elections to replace bad leadership, the Nigerian society has either by commission or omission, continually cooperated with its plunderers. Saturday, February, 25 is another opportunity to break the vicious cycle but the attitude of many Nigerians shows an inclination to continue in the uninspiring descent towards self-destruction.
I have listened to different Nigerians talk about the coming elections; at the bus stops, churches, markets, offices etc. I have interacted with the informed, uninformed, young, elderly, professionals, non-professionals, pastors, etc. The prevailing opinion is that the best candidates would not be allowed to win by some ‘owners’ of Nigeria. These ‘owners’ of Nigeria refer to a ‘clique’ among the political class who have practically elevated themselves above the State. These ‘clique’, (whose membership cuts across tribes and religions), bound by the same interests have successfully held the nation under a vice-like grip for so long that the people have practically surrendered their liberty to them. The situation is so bad that on many occasions, people campaign for candidates that they consider mediocre because they are endorsed by these ‘clique’. That is why the electorate are being told not to ‘waste’ their votes on some ‘preferred’ candidates.
So entrenched is this notion that even religious leaders have joined the charade with clandestine predictions that insist that preferred candidate(s) would not be successful. Against biblical injunctions, these leaders brandish forecasts and predictions that seek to surreptitiously wear down the people’s resolve to demand a better society. In fact, my conclusion is that the Nigerian society has been overtaken by the ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ wherein the enslaved falls in love with their captors. That is why no amount of suffering is able to make the people break away from the hold of religious, tribal, and familial sentiments to form an egalitarian society.
The question is would Nigeria continue this way? And the answer should be a resounding ‘No’. But again that depends on you and I! The question every Nigerian should ask self is; ‘Am I really tired of the situation? If you are; are you ready to do something about it or are you totally indifferent? Listen, the founding fathers of democracy designed it as a system that gives the ‘citizens’ the powers to ‘hire/fire their leaders. Impliedly, in a democracy, the office of the ‘citizen’ is the employer of the elected (which includes the President, Governor, Senator etc.) In climes where the ‘citizens’ understand these, elected officers do not operate like ‘Lords of the manor’, instead, in Francis Bacons words; ‘…they are thrice servants’; of the state, the people and reputation. The recent examples of Britain where the citizens hired and fired two Prime Ministers within six months and Sri Lanka where they forced the President to resign for mismanaging the economy suffice.
As the seconds tick and the time of decision approaches, the lyrics of Sunny Okosun’s 1984 masterpiece resonates loud and clear ; ‘WHICH WAY, NIGERIA?’ I dare ask you; my fellow citizens, what is your disposition towards the coming election? Do you have a voters’ card? If you do not, then you must know that you are not helping this nation because ‘bad governments…’ according to cerebral philosopher, Plato ‘…are elected by good citizens who do not vote’. Are you planning not to vote because of one excuse or the other even though you have voters’ card? Well you are not different from those without cards. For whatever reason; your decision not to vote is not a protest but a surrender, which removes your right to complain about any actions/inactions of Government.
Do you prefer to sell your vote to the highest bidder or are you one of those who prefer to vote because of tribal, religious or other pecuniary interests instead of competence and character? Well, there is need for you to know that those who elect corrupt politicians, impostors, thieves and traitors are not victims…but accomplices. But if you have decided to vote for qualified candidates; without any inducements, I want to congratulate you for standing on the side of decency. Most Nigerians desire a better society. The choices we make in this election would determine the kind of society we would have in the next political dispensation.
As the religious people we are, we have been praying for a better society. But praying for a better society without voting for the right candidates is a hypocritical contradiction. February 25 offers us the opportunity to either liberate ourselves from bondage or to renew our captivity. The choice is ours. The best of societies are built by leaders and citizens who know and fulfill their various responsibilities to the state. For any society, the day the citizens understand and begin to enforce their powers is the day elected officers will sit up and on that day, according to Thomas Jefferson;…tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.’
•Rev. Harold Chinonyerem writes in from Lagos
