Impediments to a Nigerian Revolution
May 9, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba
By: Che Oyinatumba
Apart from the shallow revolutionary content of the characters of Professor Ben Nwabueze’s gang, see Inconsequential Inconsistencies there are other impediments to a political upheaval in Nigeria.
Even the most pacifist in Nigeria, knows that the ingredients to reshape Nigeria are abound, pleading for blending to brew a revolutionary change. The ruling class is not left out in this understanding. Before the Nwabueze’s irritant call during his book launch, Professor Charles (prefers Chukwuma) Soludo had on Thisday Newspaper of Tuesday October 30th 2007 spoke out for the poor and oppressed of the land, expressing the fear that; if the rich does not do anything to keep the poor distracted, there will be an uprising that will consume the rich.
These calls are not for the benefit of the poor, rather the elite wants to reposition themselves in the new scheme of things. The slave is not fed out of love, but to sustain ‘it’ to produce move surplus for the master. Hence the co-pilots in the treasury looting with Obasanjo are now turning mouth piece for change, imprinting their faces as the new face of leadership in post Obasanjo regime. Of these entire “born against” leaders, the one I find absurd is Professor Jerry Gana. Gana served all the military heads of state to OBJ’s wasted 8 yrs. As is the fad with Orji Uzor Kalu, Atiku Abubakar, Fayose, Danye, Tinubu, Gana who was in government for 20years wants Nigerians to see him as a victim, a compatriot in suffering.
This brings me to the first impediment. The absence of opposition party / movement. After Atiku Abubakar and his gang of governors emerged from their clandestine meeting with chant of continuity in 2003, the official opposition party APP caved in. Not that APP was an opposition party in the real sense of it. (No party opposed the jumbo furniture allowance, the privatization of Nigeria chaired by Atiku, and other nefarious anti people policies of Obasanjo/Atiku misgovernance).
The human right community, bloodied by the long bout at the barricade against the military flattens out when they saw military apologists take over the gains of June 12 struggle. Some of these military apologists are still around in government for example Ojo Maduekwe-Foreign Affairs Minister. While some “activists’ mantra was on June 12 we stand, others ate on June 12. Even the running mate of the detained MKO, carpeted to the enemy. Who wants to cry more than the bereaved? The centre could no longer hold and things fell apart into NGOism.
These NGOs have dealt irreparable blow to the organizational strength of any movement towards a Revolution. Each NGO represents the interest of her donor agency/patron country. These agencies are not interested in curing the manifest ills in the Nigerian structure. They prefer reforms. Dario FO quoted in Sam Omatseye’s Not Yet a Revolution captures the role of NGOs.” Do people demand a really just system? We will arrange it so that they will be satisfied with one that is less unjust…
They want a revolution; we will give them reforms-lots of reforms, drown them in reforms and will drown them in promises of reforms, because we’ll never give than the real ones either”.
A good number of those chanting revolution are not ready. They are yet to shed the burden of Abraham’s sons. Being more Catholic than the Pope or holier than the Saudi King, Nigerians leave everything to God; even the simplest things like what meal to eat.
For a true Nigeria over haul, this opium must be banned and all those calling for revolution must start first by challenging these Israelite/Arabian interpretations of life in Africa and how to solve it. That which was/is applicable in the Middle East, can’t be applicable here. Till Nigerians or those parroting revolution start understanding that Nigerian problems can’t be solved by kneeling down or facing east but by hard work, commitment and honestly believing in Nigeria as their spiritual and earthly home, Nigeria will remain in the woods of undevelopment. Religion, should be a private thing and not (as is the case) a weapon of brain washing Nigerians to seek for a sugarcandy mountain somewhere.
Akin to this predominantly Middle East influence, is the uni-polar inbalance of power in the international arena. America as the sole super power will have to anoint a revolution before it can be successful. In the era of cold war before the collapse of USSR in 1991, KGB agents militarily and financially supported revolutions against American stooges. Mandela’s ANC benefited from this.
American foreign policy which is crude oil tailored, does not favour revolution, especially where such upheaval will affect oil price in the international market, destabilize regional “peace” and displace people.
Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) gave a ray of hope when she marched to National Assembly on May 8th 2008, to demand the trial of those fingered. While I celebrate this move, I wish to remind NLC that the Chinese Revolution did not end with Chairman Mao’s trek, or did India get independence after Gandhi marched down to make salt but both engaged in massive education of the masses, as a formidable force in wrestling out power from the oppressor.
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point taken…
most people literate ones included believe we need a revolution…
they believe we should do away with all the rich ones amongst us..
i often ask this people, how do we draw the line between rich and rich…
is it billionaire rich or comfortable rich?
i believe the revolution should be a renewing of our minds and like you said be a nigerian in our hearts,body and soul
Dear Sirs,
I believe the only way we can get the sort of revolution I am keen on, which is the democratic revolution is to make do with empty promises and seek to deliver the deliverables.
We must all recognise and appreciate the uniqueness of our humanity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Love Nigeria with all your hearts and minds. Celebrate its diversity and defend its interests.The same goes for sub saharan Africa.
To me Power belongs to the People; thus as long as the current political configuration as constituted continues to (dis)empower the people, no real revolution will occur in Nigeria.
The people of Nigeria needs to be empowered to think and grow as well as make choice and not be selection in behalf of them. Until the people are taught to understand that power belongs to them through their votes as cast and not as allocated, we may not be going past today rascals and vagabonds in power.
Let the people be empowered, revolution will be occur naturally if at all is will be needed then.