TuesdayRapAround: Nigeria And The Persistent Elusive Peace

Nigeria And The Persistent Elusive Peace By Michael Ayotunde

Is Nigeria truly derailing before our very eye, and no one seems to give a hoot?

The apparent helplessness of the government, leaders across different level of responsibilities is sickening, to say the least.

From North to South, East to West, the story is the same – uncertainty, anger, chaos, trepidation, disappointment to name but a few.

The current state of affairs in the country is very distressing. Indoors or outdoor, you’re filled with dread and fear of attacks and violence of all sorts. You quake when you’re walking on the streets, you quake inside your vehicle, you quake while taking public transport, because your life and property are in danger.

One can’t even identify with his or her faith, party affiliation, and or other association in some areas and practise freely, because you now do so at the risk of your life. Even members of same political parties are not exempted. How did we get to this low point? What on earth has led us to this near implosive state and unenvious path in our national life?

It’s like we’re living on the edge of a volcano which can erupt at any time; and in the process spewing hot lava all around, destroying human beings, animals and every other thing on sight. Gradually, this country has become dangerous to its citizens and non-citizens alike, and to other countries of the world. This parlous state, is no doubt, shaking the country to its foundation.

Among our other sins of misappropriation of public funds at home and abroad, corruption, nepotism, ethnic and religious rivalry etc., we’re now branded a terrorist country and also considered an unsafe country to do business.

Yet, the ruling class, not only enmeshed in its deceptive tendencies, but also has kept faith with releasing highly controversial postulations which are in themselves, dead on arrival, to further subjugate the fortune of the unsuspecting members of the public. To make matter worse, the gullible ones around whose only ultimate goal is what accrues to them and their cronies, have consistently added their voice all in a bid to make an unpopular position or motive of the government appear beneficial or popular.

Nigeria, today, has practically become a slaughter slab where blood of innocent ones are spilled on broad day light – in some instance, under the full glare of security operatives.

If anything or anywhere were to be more secure and safe, one would ordinarily think the National Assembly chamber should be one of the most impenetrable locations or facilities in the country. But in the full glare of security agencies, the Senate chamber was burgled by a serving Senator (though on suspension) and his thugs, with the mace taken away. Till date, normalcy has returned and everything seems to be alright. No one has been tried or brought to book as a result of that unfortunate impasse.

Is this not an indication that nowhere is safe, secure in Nigeria of today? When a Senator dared to call for the impeachment of Mr. Muhammadu Buhari over his approval to purchase Tucano Helicopters from the US without approval of the National Assembly, he was man-handled allegedly in the full glare of his state governor, the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki. Is this, too, a sign of peaceful coexistence? Certainly not. It is a clear case of enthronement of autocratic, dictatorial, uncontrolled society, where some foot soldiers have been clandestinely hired to do the bidding of the powers that be with or without their direct involvement.

One fact that can’t be disputed is: a king whose reign brought peace, progress, tranquillity to any given society can never be forgotten in a hurry. The one whose tenure brought untold hardship, killings and shedding of blood without remorse too cannot be forgotten.

After the two consecutive mass burial conducted in Benue State, the state has witnessed daily casualty, despite the deployment of troops to maintain order. Does it mean that the attackers have suddenly turned to ghosts, such that the security agents cannot track them? This is however, opposed to what was obtainable when the self-styled Nnamdi Kanu and IPOD followers were flushed out by the military under similar circumstances. Till date, no one has heard of Kanu or know his whereabouts. The group was summarily proscribed. But in the case of the marauding killer herdsmen, they are being pampered by the government and its agents, such that even the Police IG, and defense minister have all spoken in their favour.
The worth of human life had since depreciated in the country. Things have gone from bad to worse, yet all those in position of authorities are concerned about is how they will retain their seats, positions in the coming elections.

When has mere occupation of an office translate to what people are actually yearning for?
When leaders are not truthful to themselves, how do they expect the people to believe them? The recent confusion that trailed ward congresses of the All Progressive Congress is no doubt a testimony that nothing is working in the country. If party members/thugs can go as far as carrying guns and other dangerous weapons during congress election, what should people expect during proper elections?
Same thing goes for the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose who was alleged to have populated the delegates list with his appointees. Where lies internal democracy in all of these?
Birds of same feather, sure flock together. As long as things continues as they are now, Nigeria can never know peace. It is not a course.

The calls in recent times on the need for people to defend themselves, ordinarily, should worry any serious govt; a government that is truly alive to its first major responsibility – the protection of life and property of its people.
The calls, no doubt, is a slap on the face of leadership and all the security formations in the country. No amount of propaganda or planted stories can change that. Sadly, in most cases, instead of dealing/tackling the issue, they leave the message and go all out to tackle the messengers.
This can only happen in a typical banana republic.

When those who should lead by example are the ones causing trouble through their agents, and in the open, they say different things, why would a nation like Nigeria move forward.