Your Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was my
colleague during my time in the House. He knows me well and can confirm to you
that I’m not given to frivolities. I write to you as a concerned Nigerian
citizen praying for your success in tackling our country’s myriad problems. I
have followed your journey closely – from your days as a democracy advocate
with NADECO, through your involuntary exile to the UK; your return to Nigeria
and subsequent emergence as Governor of Lagos State, and now, by the Grace of
God, the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. I am glad to have witnessed your leadership style and do
believe that you possess both the capacity and the will to transform our
beloved country if you so desire.
“O God of all creation; Grant this our one request;
Help us to build a nation; Where no man is oppressed, and so with peace and
plenty Nigeria may be blessed.”
This final stanza of our reintroduced national anthem
aligns with the sentiments of many Nigerians, who, despite facing numerous
challenges, remain resilient and optimistic about the future. Your
administration’s decision to reinstate the original anthem at the beginning of
your tenure in office appeared to signal some hope for good governance and
nation-building.
You recognised that after more than sixty years of
independence from colonialism, Nigeria is still far from nationhood and remains
a country of diverse peoples in search of shared goals. Your implied vision of
nation building resonated deeply with Nigerians, particularly those of us from
the Niger Delta and other minority groups who continually face systemic
marginalisation. If this prayer is indeed your vision for our country – then
there is hope for light at the end of the tunnel!
Effective nation-building, however, demands strong and
accountable leaders who demonstrate commitment not only through their reforms
and actions, but by their body language as well. Please remember Mr. President
as you embark on building a nation “not to speak is to speak, not to act is to
act”
Having been born before the country’s independence
from the colonial masters, I have had the privilege of living in a Nigeria that
was once a land flowing with milk and honey, led by people with a conscience.
Between 1954 and 1964, Eastern Nigeria boasted the
fastest-growing economy in the world. Up until 1980 the Naira exchanged for
approximately $1.50 in international markets. Over the years, I have also
witnessed the gradual and painful decline of our economy and core values.
Political office is now perceived as an opportunity for personal gain rather
than as a responsibility to serve the public. Those entrusted with overseeing
public assets often brazenly convert them for personal enrichment, seemingly without
repercussions.
Political power has become an instrument wielded,
without remorse, for the benefit of office holders and their cronies. Public
officials ignore the concerns of the people, confident of their immunity from
consequences. I’m sure you will agree that this troubling trend, if allowed to
continue, risks normalising unethical behavior among future leaders with dire
and predictable implications for our grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Eighteen months after it has become your turn, I am
hopeful that you will begin to address some of our major concerns moving
forward. Recent nationwide protests underscored the fact that bad governance is
viewed as our greatest obstacle to sustainable development. The protests also
presented an ongoing opportunity for you to change our narrative and inspire a
renaissance of values and morality. A simple gesture such as committing to a
zero-tolerance policy toward bad behavior can catalyze significant change, and
many Nigerians stand ready to support any leader who embraces this ideal.
With the removal of fuel subsidies, you have already
demonstrated the resolve to make the tough but inevitable decisions. You have
also for the most part surrounded yourself with people who hopefully share your
vision for Nigeria. However, the growing perception of a dysfunctional
judiciary, more interested in pursuing everything but true justice, raises
alarms and could pose an insurmountable obstacle to your wonderful vision of
nation-building.
A Chatham House survey conducted in 2022, revealed
that an astounding 61 percent of respondents anticipate bribery in court
judgments. Many judgments, particularly in cases involving elections and
political figures, appear to defy both logic and justice, fueling suspicions
that they are influenced by external pressures rather than being grounded in
the law. This erosion of public trust undermines the foundations that must be
laid for us to even begin to dream of a functional society.
In such a society, the judiciary serves as a beacon of
hope for ordinary citizens, ensuring justice and fairness. Its role in
fostering accountability, promoting good governance, and advancing social
progress cannot be overstated. If any meaningful progress is to be achieved
toward this dream, it is essential for your administration – and indeed all
Nigerians – to hold the judiciary to the highest standards of integrity
ensuring it embodies the ideals of our national anthem. It must not be allowed
to become a tool for anyone. “Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to
be done.”
The hope for our nation lies in our collective ability
to demand accountability and uphold the rule of law. As Desmond Tutu famously
noted, “If you are silent in the face of injustice, you have chosen the side of
the oppressor.” In an ocean of chaos and confusion, it is imperative that the
judiciary remains an island of sanity, stability and clarity. This,
unfortunately, appears very far from being the current reality.
Of great concern also is the ongoing divestments of
oil and gas assets by multinational companies in the Niger Delta. I hope that
these activities are being conducted in a manner that ensures proper
representation of the local inhabitants who will bear the consequences of the
devastation left behind once the oil is exhausted and the companies have
departed.
Additionally, the recent dissolution of a Niger Delta
Ministry that was established with a clear mandate is also very troubling. I am
uncertain how the newly formed Ministry of Regional Development will encompass
this mandate and whether it can deliver on it more effectively.
I will withhold further comments until there is
greater clarity on these developments. It might be quite revealing, however, if
a searchlight was to be beamed on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
but I will save that discussion for another time.
In closing, I share the hope of all patriotic
Nigerians.
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
and terror to evildoers.” (Proverbs 21:15)
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Long live the President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!
Comments:
Leave a Reply