Opinion: Nigeria at 52: Is government afraid of Boko Haram?

Posted by admin Headlines Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012

Independence from colonial or imperial powers can be achieved in one or a combination of ways: through armed struggle as was the case in Zimbabwe and Algeria; through negotiated settlement as was the case in Nigeria, Zambia, and Ghana; or through a combination of the former and the later methods — as was the case in Kenya. Whichever way a country achieves self-rule, anniversaries are usually periods of remembrance and triumphant celebrations; a time when grateful citizens honour the men and women who sacrificed their conveniences, and in some cases, their lives, so that current and future generations may live freely and with dignity.

A nation’s sovereignty and/or individual freedom, therefore, are cherished and guarded the world over. Therefore, in many countries around the world, Independence Day celebrations are big deals. Something very special! Nigeria is not an exception! Wars, terrible weather, bad economic conditions,or political upheavals may abridge or make inclusive public celebrations difficult; but never the perceived threat from a non-state actor. My point here is that never in the history of Nigeria has the threat from a rogue organisation been the factor for foregoing public festivity. The celebration usually goes on. But not this or last year: threats from Boko Haram made the government tremble and blinked, nervously!

The conclusion, here, is simple: the Nigerian government bowed to the illegitimate wishes of Boko Haram. And the attendant implications are far-reaching: the Nigerian government – with its mighty army and instrument of state behind it – is powerless to confront extra-legal groups; powerless to govern effectively; and powerless to extend its sovereignty to all the corners of the country. In essence, the Nigerian government (this government especially), is impotent when it comes to carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. What manner of government palpitates and then runs at the slightest yelling from a midnight group? For this government to have yielded grounds to Boko Haram says a lot about its heart and spine and priority. How sad!

If our nationalists were this fearful, we wouldn’t have gained our independence at the time we did. If men like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa were this spineless, it might have taken us another decade or more to become a free and freedom-inspiring people. Collectively, our founding fathers knew that freedom does not come easily; but more than that, they knew that you don’t give it up at the faintest threat. It is a shame, so shameful that this government, in its unexplainable wisdom, decided to run with its tails between its legs. If this government cannot guarantee Nigerians (and the diplomatic corps in Nigeria) their safety and security, what else can it do and do effectively. After all, safety and security are the first propriety of any government.

Instead of a public gala at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Goodluck Jonathan administration marked Nigeria’s 52nd Independence anniversary within the confines of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Now, if the government thinks she is safe from Boko Haram, it is mistaken. Really, she is! In the not-too-distant future – unless a lasting solution is found to the group’s menace – it will bring the war to the grounds and confines of the Presidential Villa. If people are not safe at the Eagle Square or anywhere else in the country, what makes this President think he or anyone else is safe in the Presidential quarters?

Between January 2011 and September 2012, Boko Haram is alleged to have killed some 1,100 Nigerians. During this period, the group continues to gain ground while the government makes idle threats, and boasts inconsequential successes. What nonsense! While the government waits and watches and trembles, the group is slowly roping the government in. Next thing you know, it will severely restrict the President’s movement. Hyperbolism aside, the group may eventually restrict how government does its business. With its omnipresence and omnipotence in much of Northern Nigeria, can you imagine what would have become of Nigeria if the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta had not ceased its operation in the Niger Delta?

The choices before this government are simple: go on its knees and beg Boko Haram for its life and relevance; call for a dialogue; or swiftly and decidedly, asphyxiate the group. Nothing else will do. It is either we have a government that safeguards people’s lives and property, or we don’t. It is either we have a bold and decisive government, or we don’t. It is either we have a President that is truly in charge, or we don’t. We cannot tolerate fear. We cannot tolerate indecisiveness. And we cannot continue to live in a state of uncertainty and insecurity while Boko Haram makes life and living extortionate and inhumane. This was not what our founding fathers had in mind when we began this journey on October 1, 1960. Oh no, it was not.

A section of the Nigerian media quoted President Jonathan and other government sources as saying that the 2012 celebration was designed to be a low-key one so as to save money for the country’s double-birthday celebration in 2014.Hogwash! What money? Not with all the millions and millions of dollars that is being stolen and misappropriated every month since 1999 at least. At this speed and its current level of success, Boko Haram may even force the government to move the 2014 celebration to Afghanistan, Iraq, or Pakistan. Nowhere in Nigeria will be safe — not the Presidential Villa and certainly not the National Assembly complex.

It was in 1914 that the geographical space known as Nigeria was put together by colonial-Britain to satisfy its own ambition and illegitimate designs. Many have viewed this as a mistake. It needs not be. We’ve had time to make right many of the “1914 mistakes,” but for reasons that posterity will consider preposterous and asinine, we have yet to right myriads of wrongs, or soothe primordial angsts. Consequently, 90-right years after amalgamation, and 52 years after Independence, Nigeria continues to wobble and grope in the dark. To all our countless problems and challenges, we now add Boko Haram. Damn, what a country!

-Punchwp_posts