The historical, theoretical context of Nigerian societal development can be located in chance happenings, ad hoc strategies and these are quickly discarded by the next “redemption troopers”.
Royalist and anti-royalist, leftist and reactionary theories on government conflict to stagnant societal development. Only the strong, tribal lords dominate state affairs to the chagrin of the less strategically placed. This jinx was broken by Col. Ibrahim Babangida, who seized power in circumstances of bravery and throwing caution to the blowing winds of palpable injustice in Nigeria, since independence.
Our verdict of history analysis cannot omit the Babangida era.It was an era of nation-building, which led to the dismantling of the Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba hegemony over the powerless minorities. They still do under dubious coalitions of “prominent citizens”, who rule by relays.
When Babangida and radical intellectuals saw that hegemonism had no conscience and would continue, he brazenly changed the course of Nigerian history. Having escaped the retaliatory coup by misguided officers, he carved out more states.
This empowered the minorities and removed the stranglehold on minorities human and peoples’ rights A Constitutional Assembly reviewed the decadent constitutional order.
The Nigerian feral, marginalized underclass and the hoipoli tasted “ life more abundant” AWO.
Babangida appreciated the collaboration of radical intellectuals like Professor Oyovbaire, Professor Eskor Toyo, Edwin Madunagu, Professor Elaigwu, Professor Omafume Onoge etc etc., until Olusegun Obasanjo, who loathed intellectuals rejected advice and said so. Babangida knew that autocratic, monocratic voluntarism had always failed.
There is a golden cord that fastens the rule of law to consultation and opinion testing. No-one, except a dare-devil optimist or an irredeemable imposture can try to catch the wind.
Babangida listened carefully and consulted widely. This explains why he was in criminal power for nine years.
Progressive intellectuals, not mouthy “ new breed progressive political rascals and proven looters” who fail to pay ordinary salaries and stay put shamefully talking about 2019, Nigeria is tired of experimental governance . Only learned, knowledgeable men with the universally acceptable qualifications in the relevant area of expertise can move the nation forward.
Fashola,who was a law student at the University in 1985, has surprisingly and ingeniously become a “super minister”. Pray, by what magical conjuration is he going to give us “Aladdin Lamps”. Housing for all by 2018? Can he without copious consultations with experts, calculate the co-efficient expansion of Aladja and Ajaokuta steel. Bola Ige was a brilliant lawyer, but failed as a minister of Power and Steel.
Fashola should please, politely request to be reposted. In a corruption free regime, one can point out anomalous postings that do not permit hopes of good performance.
We must point out that the doctrine of “settlement “was used to appease the traditional rulers and the Babangida era, was bloody .
He set up Committees to study and advise him on issues. He attempted an intellectual approach to governance. So, there were well-documented scholarly records. Books and some flattery are still available, which facilitate the scientific verdict of history.
After Ibrahim, Nigeria fell into the hands of primitive political buccaneers, big masquerades, empty political drums, wayorists, Abacha-like thieves, religious leaders that saw visions for Jonathan and hired failed lawyer as public relations agents, now sure of jail. There were and still are frauds in high office, now exposed
There were and still are miscreants, who survive through demagoguery and close door pleadings.
Ibrahim scored a B+ and should be proud of it.
Nigerians in high office confirm Henry Kissinger’s saying that “Power is the best aphrodisiac”. When Babangida was goaded by his hangers-on to overstay in office, I wrote that the arrogance of power is usually the subject for the verdict of history and that history is so kind to document the ignoble ends of leaders and stresses to the aspirant, the powerlessness of power.
So shall it be in the name of the Father, so shall it be in the Name of JESUS and so shall it be in the Name of the HOLY GHOST, Amen.
It is not the political power that is to blame but it is the arrogance of power. A politician is judged, not by his flamboyance, tough talk, retracted promises, condo nation, but by actions and results. Flexibility in ratio dividend is not weakness but political sagacity.
Nigerian political history is a catalogue of failed policies, brazen criminal conduct, success by strong nation-states, the fruits of federal character, which extols indolence, put round pegs in square holes and hoping for the glory and universality of the Messiah reign.
