JOSEPH OKPALA
SHORTLY after the departure of the British imperial colonists, the locals or indigenous people of what they cobbled together and named ‘Nigeria,’ naively inherited a very corrupt political structure of exploitation, which was foisted on them without whimper or question, believing and trusting they could make good of the legacy bequeathed to them. We now discover – to their chagrin – the hoax that was baptised ‘freedom and independence.’
This occurred in the days of yore, when education in this part of the world was very scarce, and people were very timid and highly ignorant. Over a century has gone by with the legacy deteriorating in all ramifications, leaving Nigeria a rambunctious entity, thus, propelling me to imagine how hell could be, with comedians also joking that it costs N30 for a trip from Nigeria to hell.
Some in their delusion profess Nigeria, as the best thing to happen in their lives, descending on whoever musters the courage to think otherwise. The fact simply remains that no progress can be recorded until the fundamentals are set right. This foundation is the reconstruction of the country along confederal routes to allow each constituent to optimise the different human and natural resources as endowed on them by God, for the benefit of the multitude.
Going back in time, the component parts of Nigeria existed semi-independently (especially economically), with limited common service. However, Britain left behind her obnoxious exploitative spirit after their departure, hence, Nigeria’s leadership and ‘elite class’ have foolishly trudged on in ignorance and myopia, accentuating and accelerating this evil.
Notwithstanding the hypocritical piousness of the nation’s unity, this deterioration took a new dimension at a very auspicious time with Gowon’s demagogic imposition of war against the East/Biafra. Nearly half a century later, what has become of this oneness? Has Nigeria become an industrial and technological prodigy? What has become of the victory party and parade? Are Nigerians now more united?
The truth is that the component parts have turned predators to the country, viz, pretentious unit worse than disunity, mass poverty, deprivation, mass killings, robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, dilapidated infrastructure, shameless looting of the treasury and failed institutions of governance. The question is, who are those culpable for these heinous crimes against Nigeria?
We all can fool ourselves, but not God, although He is very slow to anger. A cursory analysis of the situation reveals that the victors of the civil war are, indeed, the culprits of this chasm in our development. Through acts of ignorance, exuberance, hate, dishonesty and crass materialism, they both shamelessly and mindlessly devoured the country, leeching on Nigeria like blood-sucking demons. A quick study and census of the governance apparatus, policies and civil service structure shows how they have stifled the nation with their cultural shenanigans. By destabilising the southern region, they both laid claim and stole the resources of the oil rich riverine area.
On May 15, 2016, The Sun published a table, showing the corruption history in Nigeria, where the list of oil-bloc owners since 1967, will lay some credence to my assertions. In addition, the preponderance of names from certain sections of Nigeria in the ‘anti-corruption’ war will also attest to my claims.
Half a century since the civil war, vices such as hunger, frustration and unmitigated misery characterise this forced union, despite the lies and deception, which prevail. As time goes by, the leaders continually engage in sanctimonious patriotism aimed at propelling the nation towards further retrogression, prompting her colonisers and political progenitors to hypocritically label her ‘fantastically corrupt.’
As commonly said, ‘like father like son’, it is marvellous that a mindless Britain begot a fantastically corrupt Nigeria. The stakeholders see no urgent reason to reconstruct the country in order to ensure positioning on the path of growth and progress. This may be part of the reason for expunging history from the educational curriculum. They stood logic on its head by enthroning mediocrity over meritocracy and foisted pseudo democracy on Nigerians through military-tailored constitutions. These are very progressive steps indeed.
The leadership and ‘elite class’ care less how Nigeria fares globally on every positive index, long as they have cornered its resources to the whims and delight of their master Britain. One obvious fact of history is that it would keep repeating itself. The centrifugal force pulling at Nigeria’s flawed structural foundation unrelentingly will one day either leave her disintegrated, or restructured in a manner the vultures, holding her prey today would have not anticipated. The saying, ‘every day for the thief and one day for the owner,’ correctly applies. According to Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, ‘the long arm of the moral universe bends towards justice.’ The present government of Nigeria is no different from its predecessors, even if not more dangerous, despite all the malarkey talk about change and corruption. It’s all but a ruse and divisionary.
Nepotism and tribalism are more insidious types of corruption in pluralistic settings, such as Nigeria’s. Our rulers commonly employ a tactic, which involves the witch hunting of political opponents (in the guise of anti-corruption battle), without being sincere or holistic, nonetheless, a ploy to whittle down and weaken the opposition forces, which is the spice of democratic politics.
To say the least, the present administration has done a more divisive harm than the days of Sir Abubakar (who muzzled the main voice of the opposition on trumped charges) and Gen. Sani Abacha, who equally hounded opposition voices. Hence, the separatist movements and agitations are daily increasing and equally justified by every parameter. My message to Nigeria’s present and future government is: ‘Ye shall know the truth, but until accepted, shall set you free.’
- Okpala (Ozua) wrote in from Lagos.