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The
struggle to accomplish a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people
to represent them will forever be quashed until those false democrats are
completely wiped out. Defining false democrats might be a rugged competitive
examination, yet they are everywhere in Nigeria’s decaying political system. A
false democrat is as dangerous as a dictator if not worse and Nigerians, it
seems, are oblivious of this development even though it is like the pervasive
odour of garlic.
It is risky for a nation if
the opposition parties are full of false democrats. And I strongly believe that
the only moment a dictator could get away with threatening, bullying, and
“disappearing” his enemies is actually when the opposition is not only weak but
pretenders. It is near impossible to make any genuine progress under such
historical context. This might explain the reason behind Nigeria’s low-pitched
wobbling sound since the country was fraudulently and forcefully amalgamated in
1914. Even many of those calling themselves democrats have directly or
indirectly supported coups in the country.
For a while, the opposition
parties seem genuine in their battle. I am actually referring to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s
UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria), Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe’s NPP (Nigerian People’s Party),
Malam Aminu Kano’s PRP (People’s Redemption Party), Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim’s GNPP
(Greater Nigerian People’s Party). The word opposition left its mark in those
days. Opposition meant opposition thus Nigerians witnessed a progressive
ideology. Though I didn’t know much about government and politics, I knew the
formidable and genuine influence of the opposition. Today, it‘s obvious there’s
no much difference between the ruling party and the so-called opposition. I can
even say confidently that they are “feathers of the same bird”.
The gradual defunctness of
opposition is dangerous. This is perhaps what gave a one man the leverage to
seek a third-term when the constitution stipulates two terms as the maximum. It
might also be the reason why another man who had helped the first man in his
craziness could now claim to be the opposition. It was easy for this man to
dismantle Afenifere, Ohanze and Arewa Consultative Forum because he knew that those
involved were false democrats. For a distinct example, who would have predicted
that people like Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Ebenezer Babatope would serve
under late Sani Abacha, the man who ruled Nigeria with tempestuous mind? That
single act utterly destroyed whatever virtue these two profess.
Chief Segun Osoba, former
AD governor of Ogun State, in a recent interview
with the Vanguard claimed he was lobbied by the royal fathers to support Chief Obasanjo
in the latter’s bid to rule Nigeria further. He succumbed to Oyekan, Awujale,
Alake and Oni’s appeal to support Obasanjo for presidency. So in order to be
able to work free in the country, Osoba listened to the traditional rulers who
had told him that the need to support Obasanjo was an assignment from the
Yoruba Nation. Whilst I understand the Chief’s respect for traditional rulers,
it apparently shows some stuff the opposition is made of in today’s Nigeria.
In another recent interview
in the Daily Sun, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Minister of Transport and Aviation under
Abacha’s tyrannical rule was quoted as saying that “Quote me, Adesanya and
other Awoists supported Abacha government”. So if this is the case, any further
reason as to why Nigeria is progressing backward? “The military under Gen.
Abdusalam Abubakar,” says Babatope, “did not give itself time to
have a programme where political parties would be formed on ideological basis.
All the political parties that came in 1999 were formed without any ideological
character. 90 per cent of the political class supported (Abacha’s) regime”.
To further buttress the
point that ideology has died in Nigeria’s contemporary political arena, many of
those who had asked Abacha to be the life president immediately shifted gear
after the death of the dictator. It’s quite unfortunate that majority of them
are still involved in the polity of Nigeria today. How could Nigeria move
forward when these visionless individuals are allowed to be at the helm of
Nigeria’s affairs? Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Federal Capital Territory Minister
under Obasanjo Administration, is now saying what most Nigerians have known
already – that criminals have taken over the government.
I believe it was easy for
General Ibrahim Babangida to have ruled for eight years and annulled a “free and
fair” election believed to have been won by Bashorun MKO Abiola (he also
courted the military boys) because most of those calling themselves opposition
are false democrats. I have noticed their mode of operation though. These
people cherish aligning with any government of the day. They care less about
building a nation as long as they build their pockets. Successive military or
civilian-military government noticed this weakness in our polity and exploited
it to the apex. Would you be surprised if one day Babangida reveals that the
so-called democrats were behind the June 12 annulment? I am waiting on IBB and
co to tell the nation who among the “democrats” had been involved in coup
plotting.
As much as I genuinely admire
and respect the Noble Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and Chief Gani Fawehinmi,
Human Rights Activist of no equal, I am still amazed and may never understand
the logic available to these incorruptible two, to have romanced people like
Babangida and Buhari, two ex-military Heads of state who contributed immensely
to the pathetic situation of Nigeria. The professor served under Babangida as
Federal Road Safety Corps Chairman while, although the legal luminary did not
serve under any dictator, he was reported to have had soft spot for Buhari, the
General who had the audacity to backdate a law in order to execute two drug
dealers.
Nigerians should continue
to ask subliminal and provocative questions otherwise the new boy’s
proclamation that the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) will rule Nigeria for
sixty years is certain. Prince Vincent Ogbulafor knew what he was saying when
he declared such statement. The ruling party has tactically destroyed the
opposition and buried them alive. Anyone who doubts the fact that Nigeria is
currently operating a one party system – implicitly or explicitly – should,
from today follow the events in the country more closely. It is, for instance, tragedy
of a nation for Chief
Diepreye Alamieyeseigba to suddenly become the new beautiful bride being
courted by both the ruling party and the opposition.
Now examine many of those
who fought Abacha in those days and tell me where they are now. Further examine
those who became governors, ministers, local chairmen and so on. Are they
better in terms of governing? Are the things lacking in those days available
now under the administration of these democrats? If not, why? Nigerians are not
fools, for they know what is going on. Although their silence is dangerous, the
fact that they are meek in response may not after all mean cowardice.
Meanwhile, it seems nothing shocks them anymore, especially the waywardness of
their leaders.
Nigerians know for sure
that those claming to be fighting on their behalf are actually fighting for
their own pockets. It is now difficult for Nigerians to distinguish between
genuine and fake democrats. Nigerians have studied the situation and concluded
that politics or whatever in Nigeria is not about governing but to amass
stupendous wealth. At the moment only a few would believe a candidate who seems
to be downright in his/her approach to issues. The masses consider every
politician to be the same, and this has dampened their spirit for liberation.
They have married the church and the mosque instead.
It may be the reason why
the likes of Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others like them could
not even secure considerable votes in their quest to lead Nigeria out of its
present position in which we have been overcome by some superior force or circumstance.
The masses are frustrated because they have been betrayed many times by the
so-called democrats. Right now what matters most to them is how to get some
remnants to fill empty stomachs instead of a drastic change in thinking and
behaviour. Although the time shall come but they are too weak for such daring
task now. Blame the false democrats.
Copyright 2008 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
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Authors 
Posted by Robot| 21.05.2008 22:26