Nigeria - the way forward!

The agitation of Islamist Buhari and other presidential candidates as well as international and local bodies over the shoddiness of the last 2007 election in Nigeria cannot and must not be continuously ignored by the powers at Aso Rock. Instability or appearance of it is a bad omen for any government and this suspended state of inertia cannot go on ad infinitum but must be checked conclusively in order to move Nigeria forward. To treat the simmering conundrum as a non starter or none issue is like sweeping lighted dynamite under the carpet without first immobilizing the fuse.

“President” Yaradua should be a statesman and address the Nigerian nation accordingly; as he cannot continue to ignore the current mumblings and rumblings following the sham election that brought him to office! To do so will be foolhardy and will smack of a conniving accomplice in the evil conspiracy that foist him on Nigeria. Yaradua cannot continue to wish the agitations will simply go away or that the smoldering embers will never ignite into an inferno. No, this uneasiness is the albatross astriding his government and no matter how long it takes, without a conclusive and comprehensive resolution, might lead to undesirable consequences. Several people were wronged and for this, there is a need for atonement, which an apology portends.

It is in the best interest of Yaradua and Nigeria in general, that her “president” made this overture and accordingly address the nation as follows:-

“Fellow country men and women, I Alhaji Musa Yaradua, “president” of Nigeria hereby, unequivocally and in order to move Nigeria forward, apologize for the shoddiness of the last 2007 elections in Nigeria. Admitted that I did not bring it about, but being a product of that election, I take full responsibility thereto.
Be that as it may, Nigeria must move forward and I intend to steer the ship of state, which good fortune has trusted under my care, with every marksmanship possibly and safely too. To this end therefore, I wish to call upon my fellow compatriots, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, Mohammed Buhari, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Patrick Utomi as well as other presidential candidates in the last 2007 election to make needed sacrifices in the interest of Nigeria continued corporate existence. It is not too much to ask for, and I urge them to accept albeit “conditionally”, the outcome of the last 2007 election without further agitations whatsoever. This “condition” is that there SHALL be a drastic reform in INEC to forever checkmate such shoddiness in our future elections. Also, if it is convenient for them, I will like to see them participate fully in the anticipated reformation of INEC and in any suitable capacity whatsoever. I implore them to see this as a noble sacrifice made for the love of Nigeria and nothing more. Further, they should understand that there is no other more meaningful rational alternative; the need to avoid a total breakdown of law and order being adequately assessed.”

“Thank you, fellow country men and women.”

Commentary/Addendum

That “President Yaradua’s populist policies are ingratiating him in the hearts of Nigerians is not the shot in the arm for his “illegitimacy” and should not be a banner justifying the manner of his ascendancy to the seat of power. There was an apparent wrong done to other contestants by the machinery and for this, Yaradua should apologize. To do otherwise will be to add impetus to the cliché which says that the end justifies the means. Were this to be the case, then the whole world would be celebrating the likes of Robin Hood as well as Monday Osunbor Aninih (the infamously-fabled dare devil bandit of Bendel State of yore) for giving back their loot to the poorest of the poor of the society. “President” Yaradua seemingly is on track but the end should not be allowed to justify the means which brought him to power. President Yaradua should take a step further from his mere acknowledgment of the deficient election process to tendering a full fledged unreserved apology to his fellow presidential candidates and Nigerians in general. His apology is not necessarily for what he did but for what was done on his behalf to which he is a beneficiary.

Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar should show some magnanimity and accept Yaradua’s apology; taking pride in the fact that his activism helped to force the “gorilla of Otta” out of his third term perversion. That he saved Nigerians from four more horrendous years of torture, state mayhem and state of hopelessness is enough material to compose an eloquent epitaph at his final hour. Atiku should do it also for the memory his friendship with the late elder brother of the “president”, Shehu Musa Yaradua’s. Finally Atiku should accept the apology in the overall interest of Nigeria knowing fully well that there is no other meaningful alternative way forward.

The Islamist Muhammed Buhari, whom I really do not care about because of his antecedents – he executed Bartholomew Owo and co based on a retroactive military decree; and also his unexplained involvement in the unsolved mystery surrounding the fifty three (53) suitcases that were ferreted out of Murtala Muhammad airport during the currency exchange of 1983 without necessary custom check and inspection; should also accept the apology. Buhari should do this for his “love” for Nigeria and to prove to the whole world that his fight for real-election is not about personal ego or selfishness but to protect and save the infantile democracy in Nigeria. He should be a statesman too!

Baring this concession apology from Yaradua, the agitation should go on. Apology is magical and has a way of placating the hurt – President Bill Clinton apologized to the American people to save himself during the Monica-gate scandal. It is about time someone is held accountable in Nigeria; - all these often “lets move on” parody does not solve anything. People must be made to realize that certain fundamental rights are sacred and should not be trampled upon. That people of Nigeria are not fools and cannot be led by the nose all the time. “President” Yaradua should apologize and Atiku and Buhari should accept same on behalf of other presidential candidates and by extension Nigeria.

Our own darling maverick, the phenomenal Orji Uzor Kalu, another presidential candidate of immense clout has already recognized Yaradua’s presidency; hence he does not necessarily need an apology.


NB:- this writer discussed only the serious presidential candidates comprising those who has nationwide name recognition as well as those who won some respectable offices for their parties in the last “selection” aka election 2007. So speaketh MENIRU!