Late Niccolo Machiavelli it was who posited evergreenly that: "it must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in those who would profit by the new order". And to Mao Zedong: "A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another".

Revolutions have happened in some places in history and whereever it had taken place societies changed for good and better. The recent places modern-day revolutions had happened include Romania and the Philippines -- a beautiful Christian country where a presidential amazon, Gloria Arroyo, is in charge of affairs of the state. Like Abuja official corruption Manila is endemic but unlike in Nigeria leaders in Philippines are swept aside by the evil fruits of corruption.

Whilst that of Romania was violent and bloody leading to the execution of the first family the Philippian own version was led by a Catholic Bishop and it was bloodless though late President Ferdinand Marcos fell from his corruption-ridden presidential perch. In both cases the people's will triumphed over the autocratic dictates of dictators. And both societies were transformed democratically.

A good friend of mine in Cape Town, RSA, whom I had just visited, had told me as we discussed the Nigerian future nationhood that a revolution could not succeed back home simply because of many factors Nigerian: institutionalised corruption, ethnic divides, docility and fear of the masses and the rich lawless elite ever ready to use military means to put it down early enough before the social conflagration assumes a life of its own.

Some revolutions had happened spontaneously without any formal planning or organisation. Leading it through sometimes becomes an act of fate and/or popular mass appeal. In Nigeria the ethnic cleavages or tribal complexities present a veritable obstacle to mounting a revolution; the fundamentally dysfuntional system and babel of tribal rancour and mistrust would most definitely render the exercise still-born. Yet these do not discourage any Rawlings from trying it out!

Still, it goes without saying that there are mini-revolutions going on presently in Nigeria -- Niger Delta militancy, rule of law and due process as well as armed robbery. While those of the Niger Delta and organized banditry are of violent nature the President Yar'Adua-led brand is a pacific one which has determinedly de-terrorized the polity for close to one year running post-Obasanjo.

Niger Deltans are making oil exploration in Niger Delta a nightmarish experience kidnapping expatriates, blowing up oil installations and issuing forth threats of the dangers ahead unless equity and justice reigns. And armed robbers, as daring and bold as ever, are still visiting banks and other places carting away billions of naira and killing innocent people with the police presenting little or no challenge. And President Yar'Adua pushes his rule of law mantra fanatically allowing due process to prevail in a nation damaged by rascality and circumvention of rules and regulations.

The singular major obstacle to national rennaissance in Nigeria has to do with the established fact that very few amongst us believe in the Nigerian bogus federal project. The fraudulent federalism has benefitted few sleazy individuals at the center leaving a vast majority impoverished. Patriotism therefore becomes, in the psyché of many of our people, more of a foreign element, alien to our nationhood consciousness.

Who is really afraid of a revolution possibly holding in Nigeria? A recent social intellectual gathering in Lagos somewhat illustrated how some prominent progressive-minded Nigerians viewed the viability of a revolution as the only way of re-launching our hopes and dreams as a nation under Allah or God.

Launching two historic books few weeks back on Olusegun Obasanjo's 8-year much-criticised presidency Prof Ben Nwabueze, former Education Minister, highlighted the political and economic chicanery that took place during Babacracy drawing conclusions and apportioning blame. The well-researched books sought to remind Nigerians of many things OBJ did wrong or criminally failed to do as he piloted the ship of state.

Since our memory is very short as a people forgetting so easily it is important we remember in years to come how the Aremu of Ota consciously threw away and blew our national transformational chances. How he played god and became the Lord of the Manor!

In the book presentation in Lagos echos of revolution were ignited and disseminated. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governors Orji Uzor Kalu and Bola Tinubu openly canvassed revolutionary solutions to our national woes. Even Prof. Nwabueze equally advocated for a revolution as a way out of the dark tunnel. Revolutionising the way we are led and the way the system works in our country will go a long way to helping afforts at national recovery and re-discovery.

The only dissenting voice in the book launch came from retired General Theophilus Danjuma for obvious reasons. Gen. Danjuma counselled against any revolution considerations saying in essense that the implications could be self-defeating. Kalu, Tinubu and Atiku are radicals who fought Baba and his brand of ancient democracy and in the process paid hugely for their effrontery. If a revolution were to happen today in Nigeria there is little doubt in which camp these trio would pitch their tents.

General Danjuma, who recently lost his bid to reclaim his confiscated oil bloc license, is morbidly afraid of a revolution in Nigeria because like his brothers-in-arms, Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo and others, who partook in the ruination of the nation any revolution will never spare them; spilling their bloods to atone for their collective politico-economic perfidy automatically becomes the first priority.

SOC Okenwa
soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

Robot  Villager

# 1 The singular major obstacle to national rennaissance in Nigeria has to do with the established fa...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 09.05.2008 22:47

Agidimolaja  Villager

# 2 But you did not tell us what kind of revolution are you talking about.Revolution comes in different forms or shapes. There are various revolutions.Here is a shopping list for you. Social revolution,cultural revolution,economic revolution,educational revolution,religious revolution, tribal revolution,political revolution and of course,violent revolution. Which one are you suggesting to your readers and what do they stand to gain from your kind of revolution? I'm afraid of violent revolution. In a complex country like Nigeria,violent revolution won't work and it never worked. Nzeogwu/Ifeajuna,Danjuma/Muritala,Biafra,Dimka/Bissala,Buhari/Idiagbon,Orkar/Ogboru etc all tried violent revolutions with great loss in human lives,yet here we are today as wretched as ever,far worst than before each of those revolutionary attempts. People would say it that Jerry Rawlings did it and succeeded in Ghana.But that is Ghana.We are talking of Nigeria where we are over 140 millions as against less than 25 million in Ghana.Whoever thinks that in Nigeria three former Head of State/President could be executed at one fell swoop and the country will not go up in flames is day dreaming. We already had our own share of violent revolution,enough is enough. Posted by Agidimolaja| 10.05.2008 00:51

omo naija  Villager

# 3 =Agidimolaja;4295015969>But you did not tell us what kind of revolution are you talking about.Revolution comes in different forms or shapes. There are various revolutions.Here is a shopping list for you. Social revolution,cultural revolution,economic revolution,educational revolution,religious revolution, tribal revolution,political revolution and of course,violent revolution. Which one are you suggesting to your readers and what do they stand to gain from your kind of revolution? I'm afraid of violent revolution. In a complex country like Nigeria,violent revolution won't work and it never worked. Nzeogwu/Ifeajuna,Danjuma/Muritala,Biafra,Dimka/Bissala,Buhari/Idiagbon,Orkar/Ogboru etc all tried violent revolutions with great loss in human lives,yet here we are today as wretched as ever,far worst than before each of those revolutionary attempts. People would say it that Jerry Rawlings did it and succeeded in Ghana.But that is Ghana.We are talking of Nigeria where we are over 140 millions as against less than 25 million in Ghana.Whoever thinks that in Nigeria three former Head of State/President could be executed at one fell swoop and the country will not go up in flames is day dreaming. We already had our own share of violent revolution,enough is enough. Thank you my fellow villager, revolution don't solve nothing as you rightly stated the first revolution in Nigeria failed, with so much blood shed,which led to the civil war, the consequences are still with us today. I for one do not believe in any violent takeover of government in any name, because looking back through history it has not led to any meaningful change (The Russian revolution, Mao Cultural revolution etc). The philipines mentioned by the author is also deeply corrupt, Ms. Arroyo has been accused of corruption, and they always have someone with integrity issue as president. I believe the revolution we need in Nigeria is revolution of the mind, changing the Nigerian mindset, some Nigerians can work honestly abroad but immediately they get to Nigeria (i don't know if is the food or the air or whatever, is the problem or the society itself), the Nigeria mindset of never do well when in government set in, for example Nigerians serving in UN missions in whatever capacities (police or military) has been generously praise for they abilities and integrities, why do we failed to transfer same when we get back to Nigeria. Although, i believe there is silent revolution going on in Nigeria, is not the probes, this is not new, it is called doing things by the book or rule of law and due process, this may have effect of what expert called the "trickle-down effect", if those are the top are accountable this will have a general effect. Before Yar Adua, we have Babacracy, that is doing things baba Iyabo way, not what the law say, but Yar Adua has given Nigerians a new concept, which we must all embrace, but is this just a charade or spam or gimmick, only time will tell. PLEASE YAR ADUA HURRY UP AND LET'S NIGERIANS KNOWS WHAT YOUR POLICIES ARE, FOR I AM TIRED OF YOU AND YOUR MINISTER PREACHING OF MAKING NIGERIA ONE OF THE TOP TWENTY ECONOMIES BY THE YEAR 2020, YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE THIS, IF THERE IS NO POLICY ON THE GROUND TO ACHIEVE THIS OR CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF THERE IS OR ARE ANY POLICY IN PLACE, BECAUSE I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE. Before we start calling for revolution, let's the revolution begins with us, when in Nigeria let's try to do things the right way, let's set up agency dedicated in helping Nigerians to know what they rights are under the constitution, let's continue to lobby, campaign, if possible do what the labour union, the Shehu Sani group did, demostrate continuously at the way things are done, one day i believe the message will get through to them, BUT ABOVE ALL LET'S THE CHANGE WE SEEK IN OTHERS BEGINS WITH US. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS NIGERIA AND AFRICA, AND HAVE MERCY ON THE TROUBLED CONTINENT, AMEN. Posted by omo naija| 10.05.2008 12:16

mushu  Villager

# 4 for a revolution to work, there must be unity among the revolutionists. where would you get such unity? Posted by mushu| 10.05.2008 13:11

emj  Villager

# 5 Hmmm.....revolution from within...Nigerians in Nigeria and those abroad have all failed the country. When we talk about the govt and blame it for everything....what have you as a local champion done to make a difference in ur locale....even in your household. What does your environment look like...dat gutter in front of your house that is filled with slit/gabbage, have you cleared it...the overgrown bush around your house. Personal skills..have you tried of recent/late to develop yourself? Have you tried to do things differently? What are your weaknesses as an individual? Are you thinking of ways and means of carving a niche for yourself? Your workplace and responsibilities...how responsible are you. Those projects and even goals set for you, have you done your best to attain it. How many office property is in your house? You just got back from your community or age-grade meeting...did you make any contribution to the discussions there? What was your input? Did you try to align with those trying to make a difference, or you rather decided for someone from your ethnic group....or you just joined the siddon kampe group. Am not afraid of any type of revolution, but will strongly revolt against ethnic based one. Revolution should start from within.....don't be contented with little or small when you know that you can do more. About time workers go back to the state of Dignity of Labour...move from the state of stagnancy and mediocrity to real achievements.....celebrate achievers not knuckle-heads:cool: PS>>>>>the reason why the country is in such a mess is that we've all in one way or the other given up on her, and have failed even as individuals to make a difference where it matters...all wating for da Messiah.....:arrow: Posted by emj| 10.05.2008 14:16

M. Akosa  Villager

# 6 I don't believe any revolution is a solution to Nigeria's problem. It is not a solution because who ever leads such a movement in Nigeria risks an uprise in ethnic cleansing or violence and suppression, as you can see what happened to the Igbos, as they are still suffering from the exclusion and backlash of the almost 40years old Biafra / Nigeria war. The Igbos were genuinely well meaning in their aspirations to break away from Nigeria or even to change the dynamics of that country, as anything that will hurt their economy, progress or development and advancement is a taboo for them, but the rest of Nigeria misunderstood them and ganged up against them, punishing them badly, setting them seriously backward than they had ever imagined. Nigeria is shamefully made up of diverse ethnic and cultural groups that have inherent and strong hatred, mutual suspicion and mistrust for one another. It is a poisoned chalice and untouchable situation for any well meaning or capable revolution minded individual(s) to even seriously consider. The only rational solution to free a vast majority of Nigerians from their misery in this post colonial misadventure, is nothing but to split the country into manageable chunks, preferably smaller nations comprising of groups and people of similar culture and values. Then enforce (obligatory) trading and development cooperation in the region, to ensure that those left out without enough or lacking in valuable human or mineral resources can also get support from their neighbouring nations and vice versa to build and sustain the region. I am also sick and tired of the Nigerian misery and unsolveable problems, and pray that a solution for this nightmare will come in my life time. Posted by M. Akosa| 10.05.2008 17:49

uche100  JJC

# 7 People that have joined in blundering the nation's wealth should be afraid of revolution. Posted by uche100| 10.05.2008 18:19

emenanjo  Villager

# 8 Social scientists-cum-revolutionary theorists have long established that "revolutions are historically conditioned." In other wards, it will come when the time is ripe. So, whether you proclaim it, preach it, and advocate for it, does not really matter. What the advocates are currently doing is simply to raise the people's revolutionary consciousness, which is one of the pre-requisites for a revolution. Wide spread concrete hunger, concrete misery, and concrete poverty know not tribe,religion and region.In Nigeria of today, both the oppressed and the oppressors are living in bondage and the revolution that will free them is under incubation. I only hope that when the "rapture" comes, it would not be a bourgeios revolution likened to the Paris Commune. Posted by emenanjo| 10.05.2008 18:50

ComradeX  Villager

# 9 So Atiku, Kalu and Tinubu are now spearheading some revolutionary vanguard? Perhaps this trio now think Nigeria is ripe for War-lordism having barely emerged from a dark period of Godfatherism. How I would have relished being a fly-on-the-wall at that meeting of ‘progressive minds’! Posted by ComradeX| 11.05.2008 11:23