Five Things To Remember On May 29
By Reuben Abati

It is pointless to ask that May 29, the anniversary of our dear country's return to democratic rule in 1999, be celebrated with sobriety and regret. Since 2000, the day has provided an opportunity for commemorative services in mosques and churches, speech-making on television and radio, state banquets, and chest-beating, hollow self-congratulation, and media hype: each of these, providing an opportunity to award contracts, spend money or make money off the state. Democracy Day as it is otherwise known has become another Independence Day of sorts: independence from the clutches of military rule. It comes just two days after Children's Day, but the children's event usually receives a mere passing attention. Less than a fortnight from now, it would be another Democracy Day. There are five things that are worth remembering:

How Obasanjo Disappointed Nigerians: On May 29, 1999: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo took the oath of office at the Eagle Square in Abuja , the same ritual was performed across all states of the federation as civilians regained power from the military after so many years of military terror and misrule. It was a great moment for Nigeria. the whole world had witnessed our suffering under the military: the world rejoiced with us. On May 29, we should remember how the Obasanjo administration abused the great opportunities for renewal that we had. His government focused on reforms, and indeed it managed to achieve macro-economic stability, it strengthened the private sector, it opened up Nigeria to foreign investment, but what Nigeria needed was not just mere reform, but a revolution, a transformation, and in the critical areas, the Obasanjo government failed to deliver.

In the past one year, we have been treated to sordid revelations about how exactly the Obasanjo government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party missed the boat, and remained stranded by the sea-shore, after buying the ticket for a necessary journey. Greed and vaulting ambition introduced into that government a fascination with the self and with politics, and all the contradictions began to unfold. Who would have expected that the same government that carried the banner of integrity and accountability can now be mired in controversies about the mismanagement of public funds in the power sector and elsewhere? Who would have expected that the same government that spoke about due process, was also busy compromising due process in many ways?

And if anyone was tempted to believe the Obasanjo officials when they insisted that the 2003 and the 2007 elections that they organised were free and fair, we now have the evidence of the judgments of the various election petition tribunals and the upturning of many of the elections conducted in April 2007 to show that indeed the civilians in power were no better than the soldiers they replaced. What is being said, what is being revealed, about the Obasanjo administration is disappointing. For him, it is a tragedy. He came to power at a time when Nigerians needed a strong leader who would help rebuild the ruins of a mismanaged nation. The majority thought he would have the humility to focus on the job and get it done. But the man began to take himself too seriously as a messiah, and he began to falter.

With government at the centre faltering, things began to fall apart even in the states, and so valuable time was lost to power games and avoidable distractions. History, his supporters argue, will be kinder to him. But how? May 29 will mark the first year anniversary of the Yar'Adua government, but it will also be the first year anniversary of the exit of the Obasanjo administration. General Ibrahim Babangida who along with General Sani Abacha held, before now, the top record for infamy, has been busy boasting that he ran a much better government than Obasanjo, even if he is the only one saying so. Former Biafran warlord, Odimegwu Ojukwu has been quoted, in an interview with The Spectator, saying Obasanjo should be shot: not with one bullet, but two. Ojukwu must have been joking, of course: some Nigerians had wanted him to be shot twice too, after the civil war, but his sins were forgiven.

Some other persons have said that Obasanjo should be preparing to go back to prison. Thus, this same man who had earlier found a place in history, had in the past one year, been undergoing a brutal process of demystification, privately and publicly; those who had genuinely voted for him, must feel disappointed. Lesson: never judge a book by its cover, not even in politics.

How The Economists Continue To Fool Nigerians: There are all kinds of economists, each one of them with a different perception of reality. But part of the problem with Nigeria has been caused largely by the economists of royalist persuasion: the hit men in the chambers of power. And they have been at work in Nigeria in the last nine years. They have continued to insist that Nigeria's economic performance is excellent. Armed with statistics, they tell us that growth rate is over 7 %, they insist that real GDP growth is remarkable, external reserve is growing, inflation is single-digit, the non-oil sector has become robust, public debt is down, the capital market is booming, the banking sector is vibrant. Provoke them a little and they would brandish reports by the International Monetary Fund, and ratings by Standard and Poor's (BB-), to show that even those who should know are impressed with Nigeria's macroeconomic indicators. Should you insist that their economics fails the test of reality, they tell you, "you don't understand economics, stupid."

But what kind of economy are we running, whose gains are abstract? On May 29, the same old statistics will be thrown at the Nigerian citizen, but the growth the official economists talk about, the people cannot see. Social infrastructure is in a state of decay, the power sector has collapsed, power supply is down leaving the entire country in darkness and yet they say the economy is growing; the roads are unmotorable, the highways are unsafe, there is great insecurity in the land and yet the economists say the country is growing, public institutions, including schools and government agencies have failed, there is high unemployment in the land, the cost of food has gone through the roof leaving many stomachs empty; and yet the economist say the economy is growing; now we are even begging for rice from Thailand, because we stopped planting rice in Ofada, Abakaliki and the Mambilla Plateau, businesses cannot access bank loans, poverty is walking on stilts, corruption is a way of life; you can't even travel in Nigeria, by land, or air without having to pay for your freedom, and yet the economists talk about growth.

The problem with Nigeria is "the economy, the economy, the economy." And the economic hit-men in Nigeria are to blame. Nine years after the return to democratic rule, the Nigerian economy remains in the eyes of the people, an alien land of prosperity.

How Politics Underdevelops Nigeria: Politics is thriving in Nigeria, not democracy. Nigerians want power in order to gain access to the public treasury one way or the other, in order to lay their hands on the national cake and all associated opportunities but they are not willing to serve the people. Greater energy is devoted to politics and politicking, rather than the objectives of democratic rule. This is why our institutions are weak; it is why the PDP continues to win elections. Every man or woman that gets into power at any level is suddenly a big man. And he does everything to remain in power, indeed, self-preservation in power takes all his energies, and with everyone with a title struggling to remain powerful, the public arena, from the ruling political parties to the governments, is full of conflicting egos and little illumination about how to develop the Nigerian state and grow opportunities for the people' s welfare.

Every useful initiative eventually ends up as politics. This is what is happening to the probes in the House of Representatives; it is why former President Olusegun Obasanjo would dismiss the panel contemptuously and the lawmakers would not have the courage to insist that he must appear before them because he has specific questions to answer. Because politics is seen as the means to gain power and influence, the professional political class has refused to learn from all the rulings of the election petition tribunals in the past few months. Re-run elections across the country as ordered by the courts, have merely repeated the same ills that the courts sought to cure.

There have been useful revelations about how public funds were mismanaged under the Obasanjo administration, but that has not prevented a fresh round of scandalous conduct in the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Assembly. In other countries, politics is a vehicle for effecting change, in Nigeria, it is a means of economic survival. We have politics and politicians, but we do not yet have democracy, and so, every May 29, we can only gape as the politicians describe the bore holes that they have sunk, the street lights that they have provided, the school buildings that they have re-painted, the roads that they have resurfaced - as true evidence that they are democrats!

How Power is Transient: In spite of all the unfulfilled expectations that characterize our experiment with democracy, one thing that has remained true for us since 1999 is that old maxim about power being transient. We have seen politicians rise and fall, we have seen big men become small men, we have since persons decorated with national honours become persona non grata, we have seen their Excellencies fleeing from the law; we have seen former messianic figures suddenly becoming "slightly indisposed" when faced with the threat of open humiliation; we have seen those who used to junket about in Presidential jets, now marking time in traffic hold ups on pot-hole ridden roads, unable to drive the people off the streets as they used to.

Nigerians are beginning to see men and women of power as pathetic figures because the moment they lose power, they suddenly become human.. Who would have thought that anyone would dare take Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello to court to come and explain her role in how a certain small sum of N10 million was spent? Exactly a year ago, she was Nigeria's Princess Royal, treated with excessive courtesy by anyone who wanted something (a favour, a contract, recognition etc) from Her Father's government, but see today, the same Iyabo is running away from the courts and the EFCC (which Her Father who A'rt in Aso Rock had created). Who would have thought also that anyone would have the temerity to summon former President Obasanjo to appear before a panel and face an inquisition?

In 1999, he had appeared before the Oputa panel, but he was in charge, he was in control. Obasanjo dodged the Elumelu panel because as a soldier he knows better not to fight a battle where he is outflanked and outgunned. So the old soldier pleaded that he was "slightly indisposed". Is there a medical report to prove this? In his days of glory as Commander-in-Chief, Obasanjo's presence illuminated the horizon and electrified the environment. He even had a special anthem that took precedence, in order of protocol, occasionally, over the National Anthem. Once you heard "Ka abo o, Ka a bo,(2x,) omo a bile soro, omo a bile soro, ki le lanu, ka a a bo o", you knew the Eagle had landed, the Iroko of Aso Rock had arrived.. Nobody sings that song to herald Obasanjo's presence anymore.

At the burial of Governor Gbenga Daniel's mother in Ijebu Omu last weekend, Governors Raji Fashola (Lagos), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) received more alright sirs from the Area Boys than Obasanjo. In fact the former President was ignored as he made his way into his waiting four-wheel drive. Lesson: there is nothing so sweet that does not end. Persons in power should always remember tomorrow: When a Daniel will come to judgement who may not know Pharaoh.

How ordinary Nigerians are the problem with Nigeria: Nigerians are unreliable. They have learnt like their leaders to play games with everything including their own lives. They are just as venal and as cynical. A Nigerian is ready and willing to do anything to grab an opportunity, at any cost whatsoever. Have you not seen our people in action? How they go to Government House to queue up to see their Excellencies? Friends, former classmates, even relations are ready to kneel down, and they do, they even crawl, before the same man with whom they used to be on first name terms, and they will drool at the mouth: Your Excellency, your Excellency, in fact if they see the man's wife or son, they won't know when they will start Excellency-ing all over the place, all because they want a contract or monetary support.

If a man in power gets treated that way everyday, with the state-owned media (print and electronic) telling him every morning that he is wiser than the Biblical Solomon, and with every traditional ruler rushing to give him a Chieftaincy title, in due course the same man would begin to behave as if he is indeed smarter than the rest of the world. And the same people who had propped him and pumped up his ego will begin to complain that he is arrogant. They wait patiently for him to lose power, so they can remind him of the ordinariness that he shares with all men. Lesson: if you are in power never listen to what you are told by those around you, and if you listen, since you are not deaf, remember not to fool yourself. The same people who are worshipping you today will seek new masters after you and use the same tricks to gain relevance and favour. If you doubt this, ask Obasanjo.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Five Things To Remember On May 29 By Reuben Abati I...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 18.05.2008 01:17

folys40  Villager

# 2 It is well said. People have been saying the same thing over and over but the same type rulers are always voted to power. Unless the thinking of the average voter changes, it will still amount to the same thing. Posted by folys40| 18.05.2008 06:35

omo naija  Villager

# 3 =folys40;4295019040>It is well said. People have been saying the same thing over and over but the same type rulers are always voted to power. Unless the thinking of the average voter changes, it will still amount to the same thing. My friend who voted them to power, they stole it, ever since independent Nigerians voters never count, they select whoever will do they bidding, if i lie, ask Shagari and Obasanjo, that is why Yar Adua is doing nothing, no policy in place, no programme in place, nothing at all, the only thing that Yar Adua is doing well is reversing OBJ policies, without any of his own to take its place. Yar Adua believes he owes us nothing, he's right afterall we do not elect him, he was selected by the criminals cabal, that have held us hostage since independent. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AND HAVE MERCY ON THE TROUBLED CONTINENT, AMEN. Posted by omo naija| 18.05.2008 08:29

ALORAINIDDEVIL  Villager

# 4 There is no reason to celebrate democracy on may 29th. instead peacefull demonstration should be held in all parts of the country to remind Nigerian leaders that they are doing the exact opposite of what democracy is all about... Posted by ALORAINIDDEVIL| 18.05.2008 08:44

omo naija  Villager

# 5 =Robot;4295019013>Five Things To Remember On May 29 By Reuben Abati I...Read the full article. "How ordinary Nigerians are the problem with Nigeria: Nigerians are unreliable. They have learnt like their leaders to play games with everything including their own lives. They are just as venal and as cynical. A Nigerian is ready and willing to do anything to grab an opportunity, at any cost whatsoever. Have you not seen our people in action? How they go to Government House to queue up to see their Excellencies? Friends, former classmates, even relations are ready to kneel down, and they do, they even crawl, before the same man with whom they used to be on first name terms, and they will drool at the mouth: Your Excellency, your Excellency, in fact if they see the man's wife or son, they won't know when they will start Excellency-ing all over the place, all because they want a contract or monetary support" Reuben Abati Reuben, what do you expect in a country where poverty is the name of the game, people must eat, is that not why Nigerian Police kills over twenty naira, unless things change this will continue, at this point in our life we don't need a slow president, who is not sure of himself, if you know what i mean. What does it takes to fix the epiletic power supply? what does it takes to fix our roads? what does it takes to fix our schools and universities? what does it takes to sort out consulting clinics called hospitals? it does not takes much. We only needs the right people there, people like Dr. Akunyili, Dr. Iweala and Nigerians that has proven themselves, we have these talents let use them, Yar Adua i beg you sack all those bunch you called ministers, they have failed, none of them has performed, Nigerians deserve the best, why are we always has this misfortune of having people of mediocre abilities running things when we have some of the best brains around, Yar Adua ignore party rules of selecting politicians, and select the best, if we have to change the law to have the best running things in Nigeria so be it, and Nigerians will understand. Reuben, you blamed Nigerians for begging to eat, why won't they in the face of poverty, and what are you media houses doing to make government accountable, why is it that we have weak investigative journalism in Nigeria, if there is any at all, why is it that the media houses in Nigeria cannot investigate any unperform public contract, why are our journalists not digging into public documents to find out who was awarded so and so contract, but no our journalists don't do that, they like sensationalising news, then move on without checking if things are been done properly or not. Yes Reuben, a poverty stricken person will beg for bread, even if the person they are begging use to be former mates, what is the difference between that and Nigerian media houses chasing government advertising contract, same same, mate, we all beg, Nigerians are mostly beggars, we beg immigration officers, we beg police, we beg soldiers, we beg anybody beggable for all type of reasons under the sun, we are nations of beggars, from deputy or vice president (Lt. Gen. Dipo begging Abacha and Major Gen. Olarenwaju begging a mere Major Al Mustapha) to the gateman or house servant begging Oga not to sack them, we are all beggars, YOU MUST RECOGNISE THAT ABATI. We need a new mindset to get things right in Nigeria, or else your writing that Ojukwu, who fought a just war, even if the overwhelming power of the Nigeria military forces, backed by almost all the world powers, deserve one or two bullets will be vain, i know you have this mindset against Ojukwu, and fails to see the reasons why the war was fought. Yes Ojukwu was pardon, by Shagari, and rightly so, but what he fought for has not been address till today, Ojukwu do not deserve any bullet, he deserves praise for trying to rescue his people from genocide been committed against them by the Nigerian state, and he will remain an hero among his people and some Nigerians long after he's gone. As for OBJ he should be in Den Hague facing crime against humanity for crimes committed by the Nigerian Army under his watch in places such as Odi and the Tiv crisis, HE DOES DESERVE A BULLET (just joking, i abhor that form of violence) for crime committed against Nigeria, by imposing a sick and weak man on us and enriching himself and his praise singers. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AND HAVE MERCY ON THE TROUBLED CONTINENT, AMEN. Posted by omo naija| 18.05.2008 09:35

cdimkpa  Villager

# 6 Trust Abati to always rub in anything Ojukwu. How dare you compare Ojukwu to Obasanjo by any standard? If your own people were the ones being slaughtered like rams all over the place, would your leader just fold his hands and watch? Lesson: No Igbo man hates Ojukwu, but all reasonable Yorubas loath Obasanjo and would indeed not mind him being shot, even more than twice. It might take Reuben till eternity to move away from primordial/cocooned sentiments, despite anything. Indeed, all that glitters is not gold. Posted by cdimkpa| 18.05.2008 13:08

FoxCatcher  Villager

# 7 An apt and well written analysis that reveals some of the contradictions of Nigeria; contradictions of a people locked in a vicious circle of survival by any means in a society where life becomes more and more 'short, brutish and nasty'. However, the politicians, economists, press and so on are not aliens. They are products of the same Nigerian society. They were our school mates, neighbours, colleagues etc. In a manner of speaking, we produced them. A society often gets the leaders it deserves. I remember when in my secondary school days, we heard of the corrupt activities of the 2nd Republic politicians; I was shocked when many of my classmates affirmed that they would do more when they get there. One particular student of Form 4, prophesied (I consider it so with hindsight) that they would elevate siphoning of public funds from 'millions' being reported in the media to 'billions' and more. Many are now doing just that. I wonder what the up coming generation are saying presently??? Only Nigerians can resolve our problems. This is where I have become pessimistic about 9ja. I hear and read so much analysis and 'solutions', but often find a lack of follow thru by those who can. The writers in the media, the preachers in the pulpits, and …whatever. As soon as they have a chance to step into the elite (political or economic) arena, they lose much of their rhetoric and become masters of double speak. This may be why the average man on the streets of Lagos, Abuja, Makurdi, Kano, PH have become so cynical and opportunistic. The average Nigerian may be largely uninformed about many things; he may even be largely illiterate. However, he has his fair share of 'native intelligence' and is no longer willing to be altruist canon fodder feeding the ambitions of aspiring and budding elites. If he must be used, he's concluded to do so on his own terms by also leveraging what he can to exploit his exploiter's ego. I've observed this attitude from daily interactions with even so called 'Area Boys' and other dregs of the society. They believe their anti social activities aids them obtain their own fair share of the 'national cake'. And so 'the beat goes on….' Posted by FoxCatcher| 18.05.2008 13:10

K_Station  Villager

# 8 Dear FoxCatcher, may God bless you 'very plenty' for your wise comments, may you forever find plenty foxes to catch! A first time visitor to Nigeria only needs to be in the country for 1 hour to see that the leadership is a true reflection of the generality of the people. Most Nigerians only need to look in the mirror to see why the country is in such a bad shape. Unfortunately, even regular folks cannot overcome tribalism to come together in the overall interest of all. Good and evil, right and wrong are first and foremost viewed in the prism of tribe and tongue. May 29 or not, the giant continues in its slumber. Posted by K_Station| 19.05.2008 01:19

Atila  Villager

# 9 Great sermon , Reuben! Yet, we can do without them, I suspect everyone knows these problems and rehashing them becomes redundant. What we need are the solutions to the problems, but we hardly concentrate on those. For instance, we need ideas on ideologies that would assist in reorganizing the state, government and politics, and ideas that affect our social institutions, collection of taxes and developing a post colonial economy that departs permanently from the path of resource dependency. The country is broken and visionary leaders are needed urgently. Most Nigerians are becoming aware of that everyday. At the moment everything stinks. Posted by Atila| 19.05.2008 02:11

philipikita  Villager

# 10 =K_Station;4295044103>Dear FoxCatcher, may God bless you 'very plenty' for your wise comments, may you forever find plenty foxes to catch! A first time visitor to Nigeria only needs to be in the country for 1 hour to see that the leadership is a true reflection of the generality of the people. Most Nigerians only need to look in the mirror to see why the country is in such a bad shape. Unfortunately, even regular folks cannot overcome tribalism to come together in the overall interest of all. Good and evil, right and wrong are first and foremost viewed in the prism of tribe and tongue. May 29 or not, the giant continues in its slumber. K_Station: You often relish in blaming the "generality" of the nigerian people for Nigeria's woes. who is/are this generality? I hope it does not include my poor mother in the village, and my father, the 70 year old retired village headmaster whom I know very well is not the problem of Nigeria, Not people of my rural community who have been deceived many decades over, yet nothing seems to progress for them...who is/are your genarality? I am not part of this generality you refering to always, and I know many people who are not. Surely, you are fully part of this "generality" that is killing Nigeria, tell us more about how your activities as "generality" makes PDP and Iwu's INEC behave in the way they do, for instance, or how your "generality" friends in Gombe made governor goje to give unto himself a 200million naira pension while still in office. Tell us how you as "generality" were linked to OBJ's 3rd term adventure, or the rofo-rofo OBJ-Atiku fight over stolen PTDF funds...Please tell me. Thanks. Posted by philipikita| 19.05.2008 02:16

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