27 Dec 2004 |
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| Suitable Political Solution To The Dilemma Of Federal Republic Of Nigeria. by Adebayo Animashaun Opening Statement: With gratitude to God the almighty creator of all things, for his countless mercies on us all. The purpose of this essay is to articulate as briefly as possible, the mode and modalities by which Nigeria can be moved forward to the 21st century, dragging along the rest of the undeveloped countries of Africa and the rest of the so called "third world", which share similar political and socioeconomic faith. The dilemma of bad management of state resources to outright vandalization, by none other than its' custodians, who are supposed to utilize, nourish and protect jealously all state resources for the benefit of her citizens. The difference between the developed and the undeveloped world is wide as such that it would require a total re-dedication of efforts to combat the crises of bad and incompetent leadership responsible for the woes suffered in the undeveloped world. Understandably, success or failure of any organization largely depends upon the organization's structure and management ability of its' administrators. Thus; the failure or success of any nation depends not only on its' leadership, but also on the system of government practiced in that nation in relation to the suitability of such system to the prevalent socioeconomic condition of that nation. POLITICS: The best system of government for Nigeria is a federal system of government with two dominant ideologies as represented by the "liberal" leaning left and the "conservative" being on the right of issues; both economic and social. There is always room for an independent ideological party: "third party," which can serve as a middle ground; a kind of buffer between the other two parties namely: liberal and conservative parties. One of the main advantage of the this phenomenon,[2+1=3 political parties] is the capability to cut across all divides within a "republic," be it ethnic, religious or sentimental in nature. Furthermore, it guaranties mutual respect and understanding of one another in a multi ethnic state. LEADERSHIP CRISES: Since the beginning of Nigeria independence from the British government in 1960, continuing more than forty years later, Nigeria has been corrupted by everyone from parliamentarians, premiers and heads of state, to representatives, senators, and governors; from chairmen/chairwomen, uniform officers and ministers to presidents, elder-statesmen, moral and religious leaders; from mothers, fathers, kings and Queens to indeed everybody, who is anybody whom leadership is vested upon through whichever means. And who are supposed to lead by utmost distinguish and honorable example being the only ways to assuage future entanglement, but yet led otherwise to the detriment of everyone including themselves. Leadership ability is not hereditary, rather, it is founded, groomed and sustained through a combination of self-motivation, moral and spiritual dedication, as well as life experiences and an opportunity to extend the leadership quality so acquired. But rather unfortunately, leadership mantle has been placed on hereditary leaders, be it in townships, cities, and the military as well as in civilian administrations. Leaders whose qualities range from dismal, due to lack of basic understanding of life as "live and let live," to abysmal, due to lack of mutual respect of fellow humanity by their philosophy of "die and let live." Before further expatiation, it is imperative that I shed some light on what it truly takes to be a leader: A leader is a selfless, visionary, dedicated, relentless, hardworking, kind and courageous person, who predicate his/her authority on the mandate freely given to him/her by the citizenry, and are willing unconditionally to relinquish it when expired. So now, for informative purposes, for over 40 years, there has been no true leader in the administration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who meets the basic requirements of leadership, such as, self motivation in combination with the moral fortitude required to relinquish leadership mantle when expired. Nigeria had not equally been blessed with a leader who is visionary, morally and spiritually dedicated in combination with charm, wits and wisdom needed to grasp the intricate of diplomacy necessary, to lead/rule a multi cultural and multi religious society. Without mincing words, Nigeria, or for that matter, any society, cannot succeed nor even survive with a half baked leader, whose priority is self, mandate is self and the execution is also self. For Nigeria, indeed, for any society to perform beyond mediocrity, its leadership must demonstrate a combination of the aforementioned qualities. History has shown us, that the common denominators of great leaders like Abraham Lincoln, Mohandas Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Martin Luther King, Jr., are; selflessness, moral and spiritual dedication, vision, hard-work and courage, wits, wisdom and calculated diplomacy, all of which these great leaders possessed abundantly and used for the emancipation and upliftment of their respective people. While I do not condemn hereditary leadership as regards traditional mandate, or even as found in some religions or others, however, the leadership must possess the qualities needed, and the forthright attitude required of the mandate invested upon it. ETHNIC POLITICS: Political gerrymandering, nepotism and ineptitude are the main characteristics of ethnic politics. Blind, non-ideological political alliance cannot stand the test of time, because over time, ethnicity would further degenerate into anarchy, leading to confusion and chaos. RELIGION POLITICS: Politics intertwined together with religion is, though, similar to Ethnic politics in characteristics, but different in so as much as it cuts deeper across ethnicity or tribe, leading to more potent pedigree of political woes, chiefly among which is political chicanery. IDEOLOGICAL POLITICS: Whereas; "birds of the same feather flock together"; commonality of ideas is the bedrock of partisan democracy. Political parties formed, based on common ideological alliance, if practiced well to suite the prevailing time and place, is the best political alliance. The point is that, political party should be formed, based on a common ideology and manifesto, bounded together for a common cause, which strives against an equally opposing political party's ideology and manifesto; for the benefit and betterment of the society as a whole. Democracy would come to stay if reason and logic rule the day, rather than nepotism and sentimentalism that leads to nothing other than peril. Organization: As already alluded to, '2+1=3 P.P.'--3 official political parties--federal system of government is the most suitable for Nigeria with all of its multi tribal factors. This provision of one party to the right, another to the left, and an independent in the center, based on a principle of "one man one vote" would entrenched a long lasting and productive democracy. This system should also guaranty that there's equity among the various ethnic tribes in the distribution of political power. In addition, it would also always ensured that, the party and, or candidate who suits the prevailing time wins in any election. The legislative division of the government should enact laws limiting the number of times elected officials can continue to contest and remain in one particular office, and on the duration of time for each office. The administration of government {leadership positions ) should not be hereditary, perpetually nor dictatorial--including the executive, legislative, and the judiciary divisions. It should be maximally dynamic in the executive division; medially dynamic in the legislative division and, minimally dynamic in the judiciary division. In a truly "federal system of government," a member state can enact or repel law[s] which it believes can reasonably and positively imparted on their citizens, as long as the said law[s] does not contravene nor contradict the charter that bound the Republic together in the first place. In the extreme case, where there is an equally opposing forces on an issue within a state, it is justly, and highly recommended that the said issue be brought to a referendum in order to achieve a non-biased conclusion. POLITICAL FINANCE: Financing political parties and political activities including elections into various offices is a huge burden, especially on a nation with limited resources. Incredibly, the beacon of democracy, USA. with all of its enormous wealth and resources could not totally finance its political machinery--unless it chooses to do so. Private initiatives had to be employed to adequately finance the political machinery. While on one hand, it looked good and helpful for various competing interests', to share in this financial burden, but on the other hand, the highest financial contributor, be it an individual or corporation, seems to always receive a compensation based on their financial contribution. Simply put: the benefits of democracy always benefit one particular interest over another based not on their genuine needs, but rather on financial contributions to the political machinery. Whereas; "democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people." Would now become: "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the financial contributors, before the people." Having thought about the best possible way to finance political machinery. The only non-biased option would be, to allow all people the opportunity to contribute financially to a "political machinery fund." The government should put in place: a "Monetary Lottery System," such as the "Cash Lotto or Lottery," which main purpose is the adequate financing of the electoral process, while also providing winners with pre-determined cash awards. Therefore, allowing Democracy to be what's truly meant to be. That is: "a government of the people, by the people and for the people". Conclusion: Leadership position is, and should be seen as a sacrificial position, whose only objective is the amelioration of others before self. Only then can any leader stand upright and proclaimed: I'm blessed! Nigeria has had its' fair share of leadership crises. The succor cannot come from the old, or the young alone, but rather from all, young and old, with a renewed "theme of purpose," of dedicating self to service, of ameliorating of others before self, and of giving it all, for the sake of prosperity and posterity. But most importantly, for the advancement of Nigeria's greatness, to enable her play the vital and deserving role of leadership in the areas of socioeconomic and political developments, as already obtained in the area of foreign military cooperation. And naturally, as a beacon of hope for Africa and the Black race and for humanity in general. A Nation shall rise; if her leaders repose greed and malice, and yet, resort to magnanimity, vision and courage. A Nation shall rise; when her leaders lead by positive examples and moral conviction, and not by brutality and oppression. A Nation shall rise; where there is a mutual respect and love for one another--leading to justice, peace and prosperity for all. God bless and long live Federal Republic of Nigeria. Animashaun, AA, Observer: USA. and Nigeria systems of government. The writer is a financial consultant in an Investment Bank as well as a student of politics and finance in New York City.
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