Nigeria: A Progressive Option and Other Challenges

Introduction!

I am progressive and I subscribe to Awoism. I support free education at all levels and an affordable and quality healthcare system in every community and town in Nigeria. I also believe that the government's support of the poor and the needy in the form of a welfare package is necessary because of the circumstances of our birth. I hold these views in good faith believing that we have the resources to implement them successfully throughout the country. Given the enormity of public funds reportedly embezzled and squandered on frivolous projects yearly by politicians and public office holders since the beginning of the second republic, I do not doubt in my mind that implementation of the programs wouldn't constitute any form of a financial burden on us as a nation-state. Besides, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his fellow Action Groupers were able to implement similar programs in the First and Second republics in the old Western Region with a successful outcome. Even then, they never had the luxury of a steady supply of petrodollars of the magnitude that political leaders and civil servants have. The first step is to put in place a formidable framework for revenue drive and plugging leakages and loopholes in our treasury, starting with the abolition of the modern-day legalized fraud popularly referred to as security vote.

In addition, ours is the only country in the developing world where someone could become a multimillionaire overnight, not necessarily on account of his rare business acumen, but from the illicit use of closeness to power or proceeds from lucrative oil blocs fraudulently and arbitrarily acquired during military governments. 

Without any doubt, a significant portion of our earnings from crude oil is under private control. Simply put, there is more money in private hands than reasonably prudent to fund our educational and healthcare programs at a level comparable to what obtains in developed countries. There is no denying the fact that the underfunding of our educational and healthcare sectors is traceable to the power game that is perfected by the ruling party at any given time. Which of course they do in collaboration with serving and retired Military Officers and their acolytes in and out of government. These groups do not have a problem traveling overseas for medical checkups. In a similar vein, they don't have difficulties paying for their kids to obtain a quality education from top universities in Europe and North America. Where else, but only in Nigeria that a civil servant can afford to sponsor his kids to top universities in the UK and North America paying with cash? Something that American civil servants cannot do.

Searching For Ideological Framework in Nigeria:

Today, no political party in Nigeria stands for anything ideologically defined. For a start, PDP, the ruling political party, does not stand for something that you and I can relate to. You cannot readily categorize any school of thought as a trademark of the party or the brain work of the leadership of the party. The same is true of other political parties in Nigeria. 

For instance, Papa Awo and UPN stood for Free Education at all levels. President Shehu Shagari and NPN stood for Quality Education. Like it or not, the Republican Party in the U.S. espouses limited government and lower taxes. I stand to be corrected, PDP, ACN, Labor, and CPC, just name the political party in Nigeria, and none of them has any distinctiveness ideological label or ascertainable political philosophy known to a man worthy of embrace. Be it on education, healthcare, or on the real economy to create more jobs and improve public welfare, it is always trial and error. Every successive administration defines its own "vision 20:20" or "new millennium" baloney. 

For eight years, President Obasanjo was ensconced in the comfort of Aso Rock, strategizing on how to emasculate the opposing forces within and outside of his political party. He was more interested in how to prolong the duration of his presidency than in building a sustainable framework for economic expansion. 

While he was busy complicating affairs at the federal level, at the state and local government levels, and even in states controlled by his political party, it was unjust enrichment galore for all the Governors. Junketing to North America and Western Europe at regular intervals and buying exotic properties along the way became the custom rather than the exception within the Governor's class. 

And on a sad note, there was no national policy on healthcare or educational advancement. Those leading the different political parties hadn't the faintest idea why they are in politics or the race for power. 

For instance, what is the national policy on health care? None. That is what is still missing in our democratic process presently - motivations in power. They have no clue why they are in government, other than to feed fat on public funds that they never labor to generate. 

Thanks to the abundant supply of free money from crude oil. There is no discernible ideological framework or political philosophy or leadership objectives to pursue to raise funds similar to what Papa Awo did concerning the funding of free education, or as President George Bush did on tax cuts for the rich. The motivations for power are the same throughout the country. It is either, it is my turn to serve or it is the turn of my tribe to present the next President or Governor. It is never what I have to offer or how my political party is better than the others.

The need to have a consistent public policy set goals cannot be over-emphasized. It doesn't bode well for sustainable economic development and effectiveness in the public sector. Thus, making the game change politically inevitable and morally imperative at this point in our beloved country.

Game Change!

It is a known fact that the other political parties bungled an opportunity of a lifetime when they couldn't mobilize and rally around a common candidate or an electable candidate throughout the period the late President Yar'Adua was bedridden. They stood still, while PDP battled itself out to overcome its zoning formula as if it is the only political party in Nigeria. Once bitten twice shy. Critical time calls for critical measures. There is the imperative need, therefore, for an alternative political party to the PDP; both in terms of personality, policies, and programs to emerge as soon as possible. And I am laying the groundwork for the formation of that brand new party starting from this moment and on this very Blog. 

Presently, PDP is creating a one-party state through the back door - the number of committees and study groups the President has so far created or is being created is more than necessary to serve the important government goals. Don't be fooled, this President is a chip off the old block. He is a PDP in flesh and blood - once a PDP, always a PDP. What is most troubling right now is that ACN and Labor do not have leadership with a commanding presence at the national level to match the political strength and influence of PDP heavyweights operating from behind the scene. 

That said, progressives and Nigerians, in general, should realize that despite the systemic failure of the opposition at the national level and the systematic emasculation of the opposition parties at the national level, PDP can still be defeated at a general election. It is a question of time. 

The first step is to separate the wheat from the chaff within the progressives cycle. There are numerous political parties in our country today, without any distinctive manifesto. Each masquerading as a real alternative to the PDP, without any clear-cut objectives. Within these parties, you have pockets of real progressives laboring in vain to find a voice, while interlopers and career politicians hold sway and call the shots. 

For instance, the fact that you wear an Awo hat doesn't make you an Awoist or imbue you with Awo's values or his leadership virtues. Do you profess Awoism? Are you willing to apply his thoughts to the best of your ability, taking into account the volume of resources within your control? That is the test. It's all about pragmatism. The policy comes first before any consideration of how to procure the revenue. That is the test. Besides, you don’t have to be an Afenifere to wear the crown. After all, Professor Claude Ake, who introduced “Awo” as a course in his Faculty at the University of Calabar, was not in any shape or form a politician or of the Yoruba race. But he was simply an authentic witness to the accomplishment of the late sage and decided to propagate his message and what he stood for to the younger generations. Awoism shouldn't be about slogans and rhetoric, but action. And I will ensure its passage throughout the breadth and length of this country before I die. God is on my side. Awo meant well, and his dreams shall be fulfilled. 

In a similar vein, the fact that you exude Aminu Kano's populist activism image doesn't make you a lover of the talakawa or a talakawa sympathizer. Do you have what it takes to organize with righteous intent and with a purpose exclusively for the benefit of the underclass? Are you willing to practice social equality and egalitarianism? How many people have you liberated from poverty, decadence, and mental slavery? Are you willing to accept that there are people in your midst deserving of freedom and economic emancipation? Those are the tests.

Northern Intellectuals and the New Challenges!

A few days ago, I watched “America Welcomes Prime Minister Abubakar Balewa of Nigeria, July 1961: 25-28” posted on my blog at http://hamiltonatlarge.blogspot.com/ and I was struck by his command of the English Language as well as his verbal prowess. He was polished, distinguished, and in full command of the audience and the situation everywhere, he went in the United States of America. The more I watch him, the more I yearn for more of him. And if I may add, I am disappointed, highly disappointed in light of the recent development in our socio-cultural scene. 

It is profoundly unbelievable that the same region that produced that icon is in a state of disarray right now. Yes, the same region that produced these eminent gentlemen and scholars - Ibrahim Tahir, Jubrin Aminu, Adamu Ciroma, Bala Usman, Abubakar Umar, Usuf Maitama Sule (the polemic), Gambari, Ibrahim Ayagi, Jega, Rufai, Babangida Aliyu, Ango Abdullahi, Adamu Baike, Justice Kutigi, Justice Bello and Justice Belgore just to name a few, is now under a state of anomie. The region is under the spell of religious sects, unleashing mayhem on unprotected innocent Nigerians and foreigners under the cover of darkness. And we grieve in silence for the victims, without a name. If education is haram, the gentlemen listed above would have been a bunch of nincompoops. 

Surprisingly though, and of course, most disappointingly, contemporary northern intellectuals and the educated elite groups who are, no doubt, the direct beneficiaries of the feudal educational largess (full scholarship, lucrative, and strategic job placement in government and public sectors upon graduation) are now blaming the pervasive bombing the campaign by the Boko Haram sect on marginalization and poverty. 

More surprising is the fact that these privileged educated elite groups suffer no equivocation when justifying Boko Haram's barbarism on every available space in social media.

Here is the dilemma: How do you make a change when those who ought to be at the forefront of change are the direct beneficiaries of the policies that made the call for change inevitable? 

This is not an abstract academic exercise - it is the fact on the ground in the north. And that is the first huddle that those of us who think change is possible must first overcome. 

Let me digress a bit: Southerners, without any doubt, resent feudalism and its inherent class system. Anyway, it is the same feudal system that made it possible for the overwhelming majority of the vocal mavericks of northern extraction to acquire the quality education they have acquired at home and abroad from first-level Universities. Sadly, these are the same people that southerners progressives like me want to align with to defeat feudalism. That is the dilemma. 

Here is my approach to the thesis.

In light of the current development in Nigeria, it is incumbent on the part of the vocal northern intellectuals to rebel against the oligarchic system in principle to collaborate with the progressives of the south to create a political culture that would benefit everyone equally. Given the scale of unrest in the north, rebelling against feudal philosophy that perpetuates class-system becomes a moral obligation in light of (1) the appalling discontent as well as the obscene disconnect between the nouveau riche and the talakawa, (2) the enormous wealth flowing to certain families in the north from lucrative oil blocs appropriated during the past military regimes, which is more than enough to develop the entire northern region, and (3) the unpredictable nature of the class the warfare that would engulf the region should status quo remain unchanged. Therefore, it is a choice: it is either you (Mavericks and militant intellectuals) step out of your protective closets and align with other progressives and help to build a sustainable human and economic development throughout the northern region and Nigeria at large, or you remain ensconced in your El Dorado and suffer the Qaddafi's foolhardiness in the long run. The ball is in your court. I rest my case.

A Progressive Approach to Sovereign National Conference and Leadership Change!

As things stand now, it is time for both divides (progressives and northern mavericks) to reach out across the Niger and the Benue for that elusive handshake and develop a new narrative for a nationwide progressive movement. Not just an alliance, to win the next Presidential election, but a coherent and virile politically conscious movement, a grassroots-based political party for wresting power from the past generations represented by PDP. 

The Progressives and the intellectual class, especially those living overseas, can no longer stand by and watch as the political situation at home deteriorates and step up later to blame the collapse on the usual suspect: greedy politicians, oligarchic feudal lords, and greedy administrators and bankers and all the Halliburton in our midst. No, it is time we step into any perceived void and fight for a new start.

Simply put, at this juncture, the issue is no longer about what Lord Lugard did or did not do, or whether amalgamation was a curse or a blessing, but on how to make the 'Geographical Expression' (apology to Papa Awo) live up to its promise. If there is no promise, create one. If there is no dream, create one from that which we fantasize and blog about daily.

Progressives and Nigerians, in general, should rest assured that Nigeria is not going anywhere and it is not for sale. And it will not go extinct in 2015. We cannot and we must not fail again.

You cannot talk about change, without the wisdom to identify brilliant minds, courageous and well-grounded Nigerians imbued with the leadership traits and acumen to lead the change. Gentlemen like Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Nassir El'Rufai, and Dr. Olu Agunloye have the integrity and leadership wherewithal to bring Nigeria to par with emerging economies of the World. 

It takes enlightenment to know the enlightened, and leadership traits to discern leadership attributes in others. And I know about leadership. The main reason I settled for the three gentlemen mentioned in the above paragraph.

As you brainstorm on your potential choice or choices, remember that no man is infallible. And as Jesus Christ would say: he, who is without sin, cast the first stone! I hold this view specifically about the yet-to-be-proven allegation of fraudulent land grab by Mr. El-Rufair. in favor of his family members while he was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Until he is tried and convicted, let's avoid the call for his crucifixion on the pages of our newspaper. 

At this juncture, I would like to add that Wazobia or Federal Character did not play any role in my selection process. I was looking for (1) sound and verifiable academic and public service credentials, (2) familiarity with emerging global trends regarding international laws, technological innovations, and foreign investments (3) in-depth knowledge and understanding of the so-call "Nigeria Question", (4) audacity and creativity, (5) tested/preparedness, (6) flexibility and ability to confront unanticipated developments within and outside Nigeria, and (7) ability to lead, command, and inspire others. I implore you to pick your candidate or candidates, and then we will do a comparative analysis.

Thinking Aloud: 

Every Friday and every Sunday, we congregate in our places of worship, asking for God's Blessings. Why not, He is a forgiving God. Japan, the State of Israel, and Switzerland do not have what we have in terms of natural endowments. 

We are blessed, guys. Nigeria is blessed. Take a look at us: Kano (groundnuts, cotton, and textile); Ondo (cocoa); East (coal and merchants); Niger Delta (crude oil and gas); Benue and the Plateau (arable land for yam, rice, tomatoes, etc.); the Esan Tribe- my beloved Esan - arable land for yam, cassava, rubber, and Palm oil, just to name a few. What else can a given people possibly want from God or the Creator?

Right now, there is a consensus on what ails Nigeria as a country - endemic corruption, leadership crisis, trust deficit, insecurity, and Boko Haram. Most Nigerians do believe that the solution lies in solving our leadership problem first and every other thing would fall in place. Others believe it is either the almighty SNC or nothing. But I beg to disagree. I made my pitch based, on the probability or the likely occurrence or happening of each of the options in our lifetime. If the probability of its happening now is unpredictable, because it is based on the happening of another set of facts not within the control of those making the demand, then it is a no-go area. If it is happening, independent of the control or influence of the power that be, I am for it. I will explain later.

SNC, endemic corruption, Boko Haram, and trust deficit are trademarks of a leadership crisis. It doesn't matter whether you have an Awo, a Balewa, or Zik at the head, the religious crisis is a never-ending problem, and the ability to curtail them is what makes the difference. That again is all about the leader that you have. Now you know where I am going.

Leadership Change or SNC?

Boko Haram is a chicken coming home to roost. A child growing up should have an opportunity to choose what to make of every religious doctrine. There are Muslims in Yorubaland; most of them are very educated and some are fairly educated. The same is true of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, Indonesia, and Iran, just to name a few. Why must northern Nigeria be any different? 

A compulsory and free elementary and secondary education would make a huge difference in the life of a child, especially in how he or she perceives religious doctrine and how it impacts their life subsequently. The situation on the ground in northern Nigeria is a testament. That again is a leadership issue. 

Education is a right. Religion is a choice. In the northern region, the reverse is the case - religion trumps education in terms of accessibility and importance. No matter how you look at it, it still comes down to the leadership that you have and what their views are on education and specifically, on egalitarianism. Therefore, the need for a new order concerning popular education for all children cannot be overemphasized.

On the issue of the Sovereign National Conference, I am yet to see an essay on the subject detailing why it is necessary and why it is the solution to our problems. The most disturbing aspect of the agitation for SNC is that those making the demands cannot give an intelligible outline of why they want SNC. It is all about what we want SNC, without taking some steps to digress on your thought.

Here, I can only hazard some excuses. However, I do stand to be corrected. (1) Nigeria is not developing as expected because of the inclusion of the Hausas and the Fulanis in the union, (2) abuse of the Federal Character and Quota System by the Fulanis and the Hausa who dominate the political system, (3) the barbaric nature and the indiscriminate massacre associated with the religious crisis in the north, (4) the inordinate power ambition of the Hausa and the Fulani groups (5) the monopoly of the oil wealth by the same Hausa and Fulani groups, (6) the un-education of a greater majority northern children, and (7) the quality of leaders that the northern feudal or oligarchic class imposes on the rest of us at the national level. Now, ask yourself, are northerners responsible for all these, without you playing a part or some parts? 

Taking these seven facts as true, can you possibly develop a compelling case for disintegration or reasonable ground to convene an SNC out of them? If the answer is yes, who is going to convene or approve the conference? Is it the same President Goodluck Jonathan elected by Nigerians to serve the whole country for four years? Or is it the same members of National Assemblies reveling in obscene wealth right now at your expense? If the President and the National Assembly agree to approve an SNC, have you given a thought on how the delegates should be selected and who must be selected and by who? If you are reading this piece right now, have you been to your village in the past ten years? Would the mandate of the delegates override the power of the National Assemblies to make laws for and on behalf of the Nigerian people? That is the dilemma. Implementation, Implementation, Implementation. 

Here again, I stand to be corrected, SNC is a long haul and it is full of uncertainties; therefore, we should not foreclose on other options. 

Granted, Progressives do not have control over convening SNC, but they do have control over how and when they want to start a progressive accord or a brand new political party. They don't need the Parliament or the Presidency for approval. 

That is my position and that is why I am in favor of a concerted grass-roots political movement at the instance of the progressives and the economically dislocated Nigerians. The goal must be focused on rooting out those who debased and corrupted our political system, sold our girls to slavery, popularized kidnapping, turned religion into a weapon of war, and created an economic system that popularized undue influence, militancy, illiteracy, and oil bunkering. 

In addition, the massive scale of corruption in the country transcends race and geography. Also, the fragility of our sovereignty presently calls for a proactive approach that is timely, decisive, and certain. 

Above all, the realization of the progressive movement is not contingent on the occurrence of a set of facts that are subject to an unfettered discretion given to a single individual - the President or Legislators. In other words, a concerted political movement by the progressives is not subject to the discretionary approval of any individual or group of individuals, be it the President or the National Assembly. The Progressives are free to roll at any time. 

Moving Forward!

We cannot move forward or solve our problems by running away from them. The situation in the north requires a concerted approach from federal and state governments, traditional rulers, religious groups, and northern intellectuals - who are the major supporters of Boko Haram based on their postings and comments on social media. Adding to that the political dominance of the Fulani and the Hausa groups is what it is because your fathers, Mothers, Uncles, Friends, and Kings and Queens are complicit. They know that you are unrepentantly greedy. They take advantage of it, buy your conscience with your own money, and corrupt the system the more. That is our national disease that does not require consultation or dialogue or SNC to redress or address. First, you must change yourself. 

Concerning the abuse of Federal Character, Quota System, and the state of origin concept; a valid case could be made before the Constitutional Review Committee for a review and rectification where appropriate to prevent the elevation of mediocrity at the expense of excellence and credibility. The state of origin concept and its application in our recruitment and examination purposes is anathema to social and political integration. It does not take into account the physical elements and characteristics of a particular state. Every child should be able to answer the name of the state of his birth as his state of origin. These are some of the issues that the CRC needs to address. Again, we don't have to wait for SNC to address these issues when we have a progressive leader at the national level.

Indeed, the menace of Boko Haram is real and the threat it poses to north-south cohesion is real. I am not oblivious to those facts. But Nigeria is greater than Boko Haram, greater than Boko Haram's sponsors, and greater than Boko Haram's intent and mission. We should not surrender to fear, nor retreat in our search for that Nigeria where equal rights and justice are not a mere illusion, but vested, inalienable, and achievable. 

I want to reiterate, those who made the call for disintegration, divisive narrative, SNC, and Boko Haram possibly are the enemies of true federalism and they are the ones that must go. I am not in denial as some bloggers would like to argue. No option should be taken off the table. SNC is but a part of many options.

At this juncture, it is my humble opinion that asking that we should delay or postpone solving pressing national problems until a Sovereign National Conference is convened, borders on defeatism and weakness. It is analogous to GOP's refusal to engage President Obama in finding lasting solutions to the lingering US unemployment and associated problems until President Obama is defeated. First, how do you know that President Obama is going to be defeated or that any Nigerian President and the National Assembly, for that matter, would convene a Sovereign National Conference in your lifetime? Second, what would you do in the interim? Do nothing and wait for the system to collapse or rectifies itself? If you have a genuine case for SNC, start presenting them right away at meetings and conferences.

Conclusion:

As a culturally diverse and widely read quintessential global gentleman, I know what leadership entails and what it takes to build and stabilize a complex nation-state like Nigeria. I will be the last person to call for the dismantling of this country because I know in my heart that the problems that confront us are surmountable. I am very proud of my Nigerian root and no Boko Haram or 419ers can take that away from me. 

Americans fought a bloody civil war and despite the defeat of the Confederate soldiers by the Union forces and the subsequent declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, the Ku Klux Klan remained defiant in their systemic lynching of free blacks. The fact that KKK refuses to see the light and embrace the inevitable change (emancipation), did not create mix-feelings in those Americans who fought gallantly for freedom, unification, and equal rights and justice for yesterday's slaves. So we should and must not allow the scourge of Boko Haram to divide us. 

Some see religion as part of living. One group can see reason with the views held by others and accommodate those views unconditionally which makes the difference. Be that as it may, any attempt by anyone group to engage in forceful indoctrination of the unaffiliated should be treated the way it is - an act of war against the sovereign. It should never be interpreted as just another attack on innocent Nigerians. For Nigeria to live up to its promise of one nation and one destiny, it must be willing to apply every resource at its disposal to defend threatened rights.

Today, despite everything, America is the only God’s Own Country and the only Superpower still standing. I do not doubt in my mind that saving Nigeria requires enormous sacrifices on the part of every one of us. Nevertheless, we must remain optimistic believing firmly that we shall and we are capable of surmounting every natural or manmade inhibition on our path to progress. Our goal for sustainable economic development, human protection of Human Rights, mental and psychological emancipation, and peaceful co-existence must consider vested rights.

Therefore, our desire for one cohesive entity, our love for the good life, respect for one another, intellectual and educational drive, freedom of worship, and the pursuit of happiness shall not be compromised. Never, never; we will never compromise on those things that we hold dear to our hearts. We will never bargain away our fundamental rights to associate and worship the way we want or bargain away our inherent rights to educate our kids in any part of Nigeria that we chose. Not now, not any time. We will never surrender.

That should be the new mantra - the goal and vision of the new order.

God Bless You and God Bless the Good People of Nigeria.

Mr. Alex Aidaghese