From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Founder of The Kukah Centre, Most Revd Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah, yesterday, said to say that the Nigerian political scene is a forest of chaos is to be charitable.
Kukah stated this during the public presentation of the Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria organised by The Kukah Centre in Abuja.
Kukah stated that in the absence of a coherent narration of its history, Nigeria and Nigerians have often tried to find a series of alibis to plaster over the visible cracks on the walls of their memories.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, also said the result is that there is dissonance in Nigerians’ definition and expression of themselves, their histories and cultures.
Kukah said: “Where did History fall off the cracks in the Academia? Why did History lose its allure and attraction to students and even teachers? What are the implications and consequences for our young generation of citizens today and the nation? In the absence of clear answers, Nigerians have often resorted to myths and fables as to how History became an ignored subject. For example, one often hears that the government took history off the syllabi of Nigerian Universities because they were ashamed of the records they had left behind. Some argued that in reality, history ceased to have market value and as such, it fell victim to the law of supply and demand. Either way, there isn’t much pride in History and my argument is that we are paying the price in terms of lack of a common solution to our problems.
“The appetite to study history ended when it seemed clear that if you studied History, you would end up teaching in a Secondary school and not in the Bank or the NNPC, unless of course you were the son of a somebody. At a time when the Banks became the paths to the great rush, young women in skimpy skirts and young men in bow ties stepped and pounded the streets in search of deposits. In the 90s, if you were a young graduate, all everyone wanted to do was to go to the Bank. While the banks made their money, young women would sooner than later began to feel the moral pressures of being Bankers and the cost of finding deposits.
“Ironically, in the 80s and the 90s, the Universities of Ahmadu Bello, University of Calabar, Jos, Ife, Port Harcourt among others were Centres of academic excitement and excellence as a generation of scholars turned History into one of the most exciting subjects in the Social Science Faculties. We all have memories of the robust ideological engagement between state and citizens fired by reputable professors and their Student underlings. Professors and Students filled the air with robust analysis of the contradictions of society, the class conflicts between the bourgeoisie and the masses, the challenge to primitive capitalism and the urge for a revolution. Those were times of illusion and delusion over a new world that would come about after all the workers of the world have united.
“Today, times have changed. The young lecturers of yesterday and their student activist underlings have all matured and become largely incorporated into the social fabric of the much-hated bourgeoisie of yesterday. The shouts of aluta continua have since been replaced by aluta finita. The Marxist tools of analysis of yesterday had their time and uses because they generated class consciousness to use the phrases then. I wonder if, today, it would be safe to say that they these tools of analysis have been consigned to the dust bin of History or if they will ever be sharpened. All of this has consequences for our society today. Had the progression continued into political party formations, perhaps, politics would have been different, more engaging in Nigeria.
“To say that the Nigerian political scene is a forest of chaos is to be charitable. That we are watching the big fish consuming the small fish is not out of place. Today, we have no collective political memory, no thanks to the disruptive and corrosive years consumed by the military.”
Continuing, Kukah said the missing links of history have left Nigerians vulnerable to the rapacious attacks of raw politics which is leaving so much blood, pain, sweat and tears in its wake.
“The quality of actors suggests very clearly that there are no teachers, no guardians, no mentors in our political history. The result is that we are witnessing an end to the age of innocence and the nobility of politics. This is not an inspiration to the younger generation who are likely to shun politics with the understanding that this is how things have been since the beginning.
“Our gathering here is quite significant. It is not a gathering of politicians. It is a gathering to think about politics so as to help inspire confidence in politics. Without clear thinking about politics, we are simply playing a game with no goal posts, no referees nor linesmen. Even the Video Assisted Referee cannot function because there is no light. In such a situation, the stadium will be full of confusion with the spectators calling out the fouls and the penalties. In this case, there will be a field of confusion, but definitely not a game of football,” Kukah added.
Also speaking, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the event symbolized the country’s commitments to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria, with the support of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme.
Akpabio who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Senator Victor Umeh, also said the progress made in the evolution of Nigeria’s political party system is commendable, saying that Nigeria have witnessed the emergence and growth of diverse political parties, each representing the aspirations and dreams of different segments of our society.
“These parties have not only provided platforms for citizens to participate in the democratic process but have also played a vital role in shaping our nation’s policies and governance structures.
“However, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the issues that have marred our democratic culture. Lack of accountability, inclusivity, transparency, and impunity are some significant challenges that we must confront. These issues have led to a decrease in public trust and confidence in political parties. It is disheartening to witness citizens disenchanted with the very institutions that should represent their interests and safeguard their democratic rights. This we hope to change in the Tenth National Assembly.
“Accountability is the bedrock of any democratic society. It is crucial that political parties are accountable to the people they serve. Party leaders must be held responsible for their actions and decisions, and mechanisms for transparency and oversight should be put in place.
“Inclusivity is another vital aspect of our democracy. Political parties should actively strive towards ensuring that every citizen has a voice and an opportunity to participate in the political process. By doing so, we can embrace the diversity of our nation and foster a sense of belonging among all Nigerians,” Akpabio said.