Nigerians Are Cowards

Posted by admin Columnists, P Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

By Phil Tam-Al Alalibo, New Nigerian Politics – Jan 12, 2009

Nowhere on God’s green planet have I seen a mass of humanity so cowed by their corrupt and thieving leaders; nowhere in God’s universe have I seen a people so afraid to confront their leaders and ask what they have done with the billions; nowhere in this world have I seen a bunch of lily-livered souls willing to be subjected to the most inhumane, vile and contemptible conditions the world has seen in the midst of plenty and not hold their leaders accountable. The poverty and misery that exist in Nigeria is so grinding, so biting, so disheartening that even the devil, the father of all evil, would say, “This one is too much.” What is wrong with Nigerians that they cannot hold their leaders accountable to improve their lives? Why can’t Nigerians take to the streets to peacefully protest better roads, better schools, better hospitals, jobs and what have you? Why can’t Nigerians troop enmasse as we
saw in Thailand recently to the various government houses across the state capitals and hold endless protests until
their governor pays civil servants salaries, improve the infrastructures, etc.

I was discussing with a friend just a few days ago and in the course of the discussion asked her if she enjoyed her trip to
Nigeria over the Christmas holiday. She admitted it was enjoyable from the personal angle, but remarked that NEPA
(or is it PHCN) made the trip miserable by its inability to maintain light during the Yuletide in Lagos. If Lagos, the
economic hub of the nation cannot fare better, one can imagine the fate of other cities in the country. And to think
that all this is occurring in the 49th year of independence, when Nigeria should be well passed this stage of
development belies the palpable cowardice of the Nigerian nation and its long-suffering people. After 48 years of
independence, Nigeria is still dabbling with erratic power supply after Obasanjo squandered more then $16 billion on
that sector.

It becomes a vexing matter that Nigerians appear resigned to their fate of darkness and desolation – each time you discuss with a Nigerian about the epileptic power situation, he or she would say – “Na so we see em”. What nonsense, what sheer nonsense – what does this mean? Why should that be the way we see it? Why should Nigerians accept such a status quo? Why should they settle for less when their country is awash in petrol dollars? Why can’t Nigerians as a people say, enough is enough, and march to NEPA headquarters and demand accountability? If Nigerians want constant power, if they want good roads, if they want equipped hospitals and schools, if they want safety and jobs, they must demand them as their leaders are too selfish, too corrupt, too self-serving, too pre-occupied to cater to their welfare. When they take that oath of office to protect and serve the masses, they are indeed serving their pockets.

Evidently, not only its citizens are cowards, the Nigerian government itself is awash in a sea of cowardice and epitomizes its very meaning. It was only last August that Nigeria ceded a very rich territory (Bakassi) to a small and seemingly inconsequential nation of Cameroon under the guise of obeying international law. What arrant nonsense – a nation that obeys international laws yet violates the dictates of its own laws and verdicts rendered by duly constituted courts of law. Our leaders have demonstrated time and time again an irritating posture when it comes to dealing with foreign leaders. They become tamed and cultured in the presence of foreigners almost to the point of vain worship, but when they deal with their people, the people they are suppose to serve, they become bulls. I was alarmed when Obasanjo, well in his seventies, said to President Bush, only in his late fifties then and by all accounts his junior in age and even in experience, “yes sir”. What shall we call this – inferiority complex or plain cowardice coming from someone they said was a brave soldier? We should recall that when Obasanjo became head of state in February, 1976, the current President Bush was boozing around, a rascal with no inkling of life. After saying “yes sir”, “yes sir”, to Bush and bowing profusely to him while he visited Abuja, the same Obasanjo suddenly found the effrontery, the strength to insult Nigerians at every turn after Bush’s departure.

A few months ago, I was travelling through Abia State and had no choice, but to shed tears at what met my eyes. This was a state governed by the mouthy and seemingly elusive Orji Kalu from 1999-2007. Orji was the epitome of corruption to the point that even his mother, Eunice, got into the action. He remains the only former governor whose mother was declared wanted by Ribadu’s EFCC for acts of corruption. One then wonders what Orji did for Abia State in the eight years he held mighty sway besides talking endlessly from all sides of his mouth. Driving through Aba, the famous commercial capital of the nation, the filth and scum witnessed on its streets would make anyone question if the state had a government.

At every corner laid heaps of refuge being scourged by the simmering Nigerian sun with nauseating odor permeating the thick odious air. I saw motorists driving and avoiding the heaps of dirt that had been placed on major highways. But what was most depressing was the fact that Abians had come to accept this condition as a way of life; they had resigned themselves to this calamity and failure of government; they had effectively thrown their hands in the air in utter surrender to mediocrity and paucity. I saw hundreds of Aba residents milling around the refuge without a single soul awed by the offensive sights and the evident threat of health epidemic posed by this neglect. But must it be so? Must Nigerians accept their fate without a fight, without asking for better life?

Politicians come and go, all trampling upon Nigerians with impunity. They believe they are above board, untouchable; therefore, they get away with the worst kind of ineptitude and official corruption. A few years ago, in Rivers State, workers’ salaries were held for about two months as the government of Peter Odili claimed that it as ridding the payroll of ghost names, etc. On account of this action, thousands of workers had to go on forced starvation while the state got its payroll in order. I remember getting calls from relatives and friends all asking for money to sustain their families as they await their salaries. But if the more than 20,000 workers’ on the state’s payroll had trooped to Government House in Port-Harcourt to demand their salaries, there was no doubt that the payroll would have been in order that same day. It is simple, my friends – Nigerians are suffering because they allow their leaders to treat them like slaves, non-entities. They are suffering because they lack the courage to challenge their leaders and hold them accountable. They are jobless because the political will is lacking as is the leverage to get government to act on their behalf.

All over the country, current and former governors are trampling upon their citizens, and Nigerians allow these shenanigans to continue unabated. Just look at the facts – Peter Odili milked Rivers to the tune of over $5 billion, purchasing first class hospitals all over South Africa; Joshua Dariye looted Plateau’s treasury to the tune of over N5 billion and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha swept Bayelsa’s treasury to the tune of more than N10 billion and yet after his arrest and incarceration in London for money laundering and associated charges, he was accorded a hero’s welcome in his home state with the Nigerian Police mounting an honor guard for him. Imagine such glorification of a criminal, a cross-dresser and a treasury looter who tainted the already battered image of the country with his greed. With such tomfoolery, would anyone pity Nigerians for their current state of destitution and lack?

On the national level, Babangida, perhaps, the most corrupt leader in the history of Nigeria with more than $15 billion of Nigeria’s money in his private accounts in banks all over globe is today one of the most celebrated personalities in the country with fervent discussions of his return as civilian president in 2011. Where is the outrage, Nigerians? Rather than condemning and calling for his trial for sordid crimes against Nigerians, Babangida has become an ambassador of sorts, being sent to Kenya and Guinea on peace missions; he is an opinion giver, a king maker and an elder statesman, a free citizen of the same country he raped and left for death; where is the outrage, Nigerians. A trip to Minna, the dictator’s home town would reveal the evidence of Babangida’s massive corruption in the form of his famous “50-50 mansion”, a reference to its cost ($50 million) and the number of bedrooms (50) that cascade the landscape of the villa. Anyone that travels to Minna cannot miss that hilltop fortress Babangida calls home. Yet, it has become a tourist attraction instead of a source of indignation and condemnation. It has become a-must-visit Minna landmark for any serious visitor to the city. It has become a source of pride for Minna residents, who, instead of questioning how a mere General in a third world army could afford such edifice, have resorted to platitudes and vain glorification of a rogue. With such attitude, why wouldn’t their leaders trample upon them?

Since the introduction of Sharia on October 19, 1999 by the hypocritical former governor of Zamfara, Sani Ahmed Yarima, more than ten thousand Nigerians who have lost their lives in the various ensuing riots. Has anyone been held responsible for these deaths? Not a single soul. Has anyone asked of the outcome of the million and one probes that were instituted? Nigeria remains the only country where thousands would be killed and no one is held responsible for their deaths. Nigerians are like barking dogs with no tangible bite – look at how they barked furiously at the brutalization of Ms. Uzoma Okere by Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade and his ratings in Lagos on November 3, 2008 – a probe was set up and recommendations made to the presidency – what has happened? And as usual, Nigerians have forgotten the incident and have moved on and will only remember when it happens again to another innocent Nigerian. Only a few months ago, we witnessed the arrest, brief detention and release of some ex governors in the persons of James Ibori, Samuni Taraki, Orji Kalu, Joshua Dariye, Ayo Fayose and Lucky Igbinedion, but how many, my friends, have had their day in court and held responsible for abuse of office and how have Nigerians responded to this dearth of justice?

As dispairing as it may sound, I should say that its not all bad news as in the midst of this sprawling cowardice, there were and still are brave Nigerians that laid it on the line to challenge the status quo. I speak here of Benue’s own Major Gideon Orkar and his co-coupists who challenged Babangida’s corruption, drug dealings and alleged immoral sexual acts by sending him to his bunker for dear life. Orkar was brave to the very end, paying the ultimate price with amazing brevity and acceptable mien that would elude most men on such a dire occasion. Then there was Ken Saro-Wiwa who refused to dine with the devil, Abacha and in the process, was introduced to the noose in Port-Harcourt prison. Let us not forget the likes of the Biafran leader, Ojuwku, Philip Effiong, etc, who laid siege to the Nigerian nation for three years, advancing what they believed in even in a failed effort. Additionally, the likes of Wole Soyinka, Gani Fawehinmi and Chinua Achebe, all of whom have shown grave temerity in the face of adversity, rejecting national awards and espousing the interests of Nigerians at every opportunity. And those students of University of Lagos and other universities across the land that dragged the pussy-footing Babangida out of office in 1992/93, must not escape our attention at times like these – these were and still are all brave Nigerians who damned the consequences to effect a change. Some are waiting to return to Nigeria before effecting a change, but it needs not be so; in this day and age of the internet and technology, initiating a global movement to effect positive change has become easier than ever and I reckon those who have embarked on this course. But I must ask; what has happened to the majority of Nigerians? Why has this majority adopted silence as its anthem and mantra?

While Nigerians must eschew violence in demanding their right and holding their leaders accountable, they must disabuse themselves of the cloak of cowardice. Nothing in that country works, no light, no good roads, no clean drinking water, no security, no jobs and yet Nigerians are content, walking about as though they had no leverage. They sigh about their condition, every Nigerian holds a Ph.D in sigh science – but even as they sigh and shake their heads from side to side in sheer abandonment, they remain reluctant to effect a positive change. Some Nigerians that have visited the US, Canada, England and other industrialized nations know that their leaders can do better, but yet, they remain silent in the face of abuse and neglect. I have never been to Dubai, but I have heard of what the United Arab Emirates has done with oil money with massive developmental projects; I even heard that they built the world’s first 7-star hotel in the sea in the midst of the desert.

Nigerians who have visited that desert enclave testify of the wonders of oil money – but when those same Nigerians return home, they remain silent knowing fully well that their lot could be improved by their leaders. When NEPA takes light, they sneak to their backyard and turn on the generator, saying quietly to themselves, “dis kind kontry sef.” In all these, I am not in the least surprised at this aloofness and seeming apathy of Nigerians, for the Nigerian is one who does not want to be disturbed, one who is afraid of death and wants to live another day to attend his owembe party, wear his flowing robes, wiggle his shoulders in a peacock fashion and drive his fancy cars – even though he is suffering, he accepts his fate and complains endlessly to his friends over pepper soup without the effrontery to change his condition. After his complains, he returns to his abode, engages in pity party and wallows in his misery. As the great Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see” – apparently, this admonition is not for Nigerians who have proven to be perennial gluttons for misery.wp_posts

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Posted by admin on Dec 22 2010. Filed under Columnists, P. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry