I still don’t know why I was not jubilant on hearing that the much controversial third term had been rejected by the National Assembly. I saw how the lawmakers and many other Nigerians rejoiced over the news, but onto them I say: tarry a little because the battle has just started. You never know with a military man.

Perhaps it is due to my cautious attitude, which I have since developed in the immediate aftermath of Sani’s death. When he died, I felt a joy without guilt, without fear, without regret like I did when our National team defeated Argentina in the 1996 Atlanta Soccer Olympic Final.

But the most exhausting and eventful priods thereafter have taught me a lesson – great lesson. For I had thought history will never repeat itself in Nigeria after Sani’s death. Here we are eight years after, man and woman still yearning for what should be our birthright. The masses still remain the same even though they say we are the happiest people on earth. Don’t mind those funny researchers.

Or it might be because third term was only part of a larger problem confronting the nation. For instance, there is the need for amendment in the 1999 Constitution especially the immunity clause that protects corrupt public officials. Now that the Constitution Amendment Bill has been thrown out, what's next? I am sad, confused and afraid because every struggle had benefitted the wrong people – those you call opportunists and sychophants. Aren’t we still in the same situation? Or haven’t you heard they have started forming parties to counter Obasanjo’s PDP party. Where are the genuine ones?

The chase, in one word, has been more thrilling than holding on to the struggle catch. The Nigeria's battle has always been half fought all along. It started with the civil war, which might still take us a donkey's years to resolve. Think about the fight against Buhari/Idiagbon that benefitted Babangida. Think also about the fight against Babangida in 1993 that benefitted Abacha. Think about the one against Abacha that benefitted Obasanjo. 

Who is going to gain from the 3rd term struggle? Coup plotters or custom officers or crawlers who have expressed great joy over the death of Obasanjo’s baby? What shall we do to make sure history will not repeat itself? Don’t you feel concerned that your struggles have always been hijacked by the same set of people? I mean people without vision. I mean thugs and thieves whose life ambition seems to be how to prvent genuine citizens from taking the mantle of leadership. It’s up to you.

For example, no one knew or at least they did not say so, that the result of democratic struggle would eventually paved way for tenure elongation struggle. No one suspected that Nigerians would have reason to compare lunatic Sani’s administration to that of self-proclaimed Democrat Olusegun. No one knew it would take more than eight years to lay a solid foundation for the emancipation of Nigerian citizens. No on knew that despite their promises Nigerians would still have to rely on pure water and killer generator. No one knew there would be a discernible decline in the quality of education. No one knew the roads would still be a personification for death…

That is why I refused to wallow in happiness. Not yet. That is why I need reflection over the result of the Constitution amendment rather than exultation. Go ahead and call me a pessimist like you do sometimes. But remember that most Abacha's apologists are in Obasanjo's government. Remember that every successive government in Nigeria seems to be worse than its predecessor. If this confusion is not enough for you to reflect, and makes you take cautious step, then we are in for it. Then we are at the mercy of the same unprogressive elements - once again. O ma se o (a thousand pities).

 I still believe Nigerian Politicians are notorious – though not like armed robbers. Ah, God forbid such emplacement. They are cunning and masters of playing games with precious lives. They are smart, very smart – though not as crude as 419ers. Ah, Heaven forbid such juxtaposition. They are desperate and would exploit every situation to their advantage. For them the aesthetic of politics is not good governance but falsehood. Nigerian politicians are like magicians, who enjoying playing tricks on people. In short, they are fine political tacticians.

That is why you must take action in your own little way so that your struggle against Obasanjo's reckless ambition  would not benefit his ilk. Praying is not enough. I don’t think going to church or mosque is enough either. Be prepared – at least once in your lifetime. The citizen journalists and other similar minds have set the pace. No one will fight your battle while you hide like a timid rabit. Let’s rally round he who says, “we will stop criminals from getting into power.” So “Get up…stand up…stand up for your right…,” as that popular song goes.

The vote against third term is just a step to the beginning. The beginning, when it begins, would leave no one in doubt. It would be that moment when Nigerians refused to let the  euphoria of the moment overwhelm their sense of reasoning. It would be that moment when a market woman would know her right just like our learned ones. Now that they have described the outcome of this Constitutional amendment as "triumph for democracy", we might as well remind whoever is willing to listen about other equally important issues.

For me talking about amalgamation is the real connection to our development. It is the foundation for other issues. Until those at the helm of affairs come to their senses about how we want to live together, the issues of fiscal federalism or any other "isms" will be jeopardised – implicitly or explicitly. This is because there is no thrust or even love among the entities that constitute Nigeria. Every tribe is conscious of their history, and it seems none wants to think Nigeria first. Such parochial thinking is common here in NVS when important discussions are being tribalised. Until this is done, I am afraid history will always repeat itself.

It is not that the stakeholders in the polity of Nigeria do not know this, but too absorbed in their own individual ambitons. Many a times they have played on the gaulibility of their people in this regard. I have discussed this in my Sentimental Cliches About Nigerian Unity. Every dichotomy must be buried like Obasanjo's third term joke. Personally, I am not comfortable with arabic inscription on Nigeria's currency. It simply contradicts the proclamation of being a secular state. Moreso when our official language is still Queen Elizabeth Language.

Perhaps there is no need for me to comment on 2007 election because I don't believe it would be different from the ones we've had. Goodness, I am still thinking old fashion despite the courage exhibited by the Senate President and others – amid intimidation, threats and violence. Is this the beginning of a new thinking?

Electronic voting in Nigeria? When we have been unable to successfully conduct manual one! Who among them initiated such untimely idea? How quickly and effectively are they going to instruct majority of uneducated voters in the process? Unless of course INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, is ready to do his job by demonstrating Nnamani’s courage of new thinking. He owes the people anyway.

Nigerians should vote for ideology and not “Ubadibuism”. Until thuggery is eradicated form our polity, election will remain dubious irrespective of way of voting. The progressive should by now get prepared to mobilize the whole country to defeat military or in particular Babasongida hegemony. This is the moment when every Nigerian should contribute whatever knowledge, whatever little thing they possess in order to effect a change. For instance, the owners of NVS are already contributing their own, so also those commentators and citizen journalists (I like the two words) who have shown genuine intentions for the emancipation of their people. Let us get started and let us not give up the struggle.

As Obasanjo’s chickens line up to receiving him back to “our” Ota farm, the man should remember why “the best candidate” did not become president in 1979 and thereafter. Even though Owu in him may not allow him to listen, the man should be forthright and candid this time around. The man should stop talking about being a democrat unless he is ready to demonstrate such attribute. When?

I disagree with Prof. Bolaji Aluko, President, Nigerian Democratic Movement-USA who said, “President Obasanjo needs to be commended – and will be commended – for his capitulation to democratic principles.” 

What should he have done after the defeat of his third term alter ego! To disobey the National Assembly like he had disregarded the highest court in the land? Whatever he says now does not matter. It was pressure and face-saving that finally forced him to capitulate. He should have made his intentions known instead of maintaining “studied silence”. He should have used “studied noise” to call the hawks around him to order while they “Abachanised” him to stay beyond his tenure. Obasanjo’s good intentions about Constitution amendment are belied by the contradictions in the two interviews he had with CNN in 2004 and 2006 .

Anyway, whatever grudge or malice he might be nursing over the death of his “3rd term baby”, he should participate in a policy that will leave him in peace after abdicating the throne of his ancestors. If he truly loves himself, Obasanjo must do it right once in his lifetime. He should have it at the back of his stubborn head that he will never come close to ruling Nigeria again.

The birds of air are watching.

Robot  Villager

# 1 For me talking about amalgamation is the real connection to our development. It is the foundation...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 21.05.2006 17:36

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 2 You said it well bro, we always seem to dribble backward like "yeye football" and do "overtake don overtake overtake" like Fela would sing. Come 2007 we would see if the 3rd or no 3rd was Godsend or otherwise Posted by Exxcuzme| 22.05.2006 13:00