Oghenovo Edun
24 October 2008
opinion
THE unfolding political events in the US and the dramatis personae are a delight to watch to the extent that I now dedicate two hours a day to stay glued to CNN for updates on the American election.
The US has evolved from its hitherto scattered states and stronghold for slavery and gross capitalism, to one that is now the pride of countries that truly appreciate what democracy is all about.
Democracy, historically, did not evolve in the US. The truism that democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people is best practised in no other place on earth but in the US.
The emergence of Barack Obama and McCain as the presidential candidates of the Democratic and Republican parties is a testament to the fact that the major considerations for political appointments and offices are transparency, integrity (not the Nigeria Police kind) and patriotism. From the blow of the whistle, the American people determined the progression of the candidates from the primaries.
The records of the candidates from elementary to the last offices held by them and practically every political and social comments made by them over time were made subject of public scrutiny and robust debates. It is so baffling that no one has been able to furnish any act of indiscretion or public rascality committed by any of the candidates.
It is, therefore, no wonder that the US is far ahead of many countries of the world in terms of respect for human rights, rule of law (certainly not the legal rascality being perpetrated in Nigeria under the guise of rule of law) and empowerment of its citizens.
It is also no wonder that the US is the immediate haven for refugees and those seeking succour and rescue from the economic subjugation, political oppression and failure of basic social norms, inflicted upon them by their own leaders.
It has been severally stated by many commentators that the possible emergence of an Obama in the present Nigerian political "experiment" can never be imagined or contemplated. Obama was never a state governor nor a cabinet secretary but a mere first time and unknown senator from the state of Illinois; and one cannot say, before now, he was amongst the "political heavyweights" in America.
The reason why most African countries would remain undeveloped and consciously chase their citizens to other countries to feed from the dust bins is because the leaders have deliberately failed and/or refused to allow democracy to thrive. To justify their rogue leadership, they now find cover in the excuse that they are practising home-grown democracy. If you are practising democracy, then do it according to the known rules of democracy.
There is nothing like African or home-grown democracy. It is a sheer admission of failure. Zimbabwe that was an emerging pride in Africa has been plunged into a theatre of sit-tight leadership and economic emasculation of its citizens. It is now a country where "billionaires" cannot afford to take one good meal a day. What about Somali, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and many others? The same story of tribalism, corruption, prebendalism and political rascality pervade.
The last presidential election in Nigeria took the country to the very back seat of civilisation.One had thought that the reassurances of Mr. President and the "Independent" National Electoral Commission, would ensure that the sham never repeated itself. Alas, it became worse. The re-run elections in Adamawa, Kogi and Cross River states confirmed that our rulers deliberately want to disenfranchise Nigerians in perpetuity.
I want to be convinced by our political rulers who have been singing high praises for the great feat achieved by Obama that they truly believe and associate themselves with the ideals of anti-corruption, rule of law and integrity which Obama and the American system stand for.
I have no doubt that should all our political rulers be subjected to the same American public scrutiny, none of them would even go beyond the stage of submission of aspirants' letter of interest. But truly my brothers, Nigeria is the very sad opposite of every good thing that the US symbolizes.
For the good of Nigeria, the PDP and other political parties must evolve the process of serious debates on national issues and be ready to submit their public and private lives to public scrutiny. Ethnicity, "thief-thief-thief" syndrome and imposition of candidates are anti-democratic. The PDP is not alone in this shame.
The AC that ought to be playing the role of a robust opposition seems to be catching the same bug which played out in the Lagos AC preparatory to the local government election. ANPP has virtually gone to sleep and romancing with the PDP on the same bed.
Unless Nigeria and Nigerian rulers show love for the country instead of satanic desires, enthrone merit instead of mediocrity or this-is-my-brother-let's-help-him attitude, shun corruption instead of considering every public appointment as an opportunity to amass ill-gotten wealth, exhibit fierce patriotism instead of by-passing the strict requirements of the law and giving a part of the country away as a gift to a "friendly"neighbour, Nigerians should be ready to take their destinies into their hands.
Recently, while I was in Houston, Texas, I asked an American friend if what Okereke-Onyiuke did in Nigeria in purportedly raising unsolicited fund for Obama, would be swept under the carpet. Let us not be deceived by the soft landing given her by EFCC, the Commission was in the picture of it but deliberately refused to take pre-emptive actions until the tide of public opinion was against the fund raising.
My friend's response was that it would spell the end of the career of the 'Madam Stock Exchange' and she can never be considered for any political appointment in the US or any office of trust. I wept for Nigeria because Nigeria is not US. It is only in Nigeria that brothers, sisters, communities, clergymen and the aged openly associate with rogues and confirmed criminals, and even pray that God should protect them.
If democracy cannot thrive in Nigeria, probably we should go back to oligarchy. Dubai and its deserts are a delight to the whole world because it has succeeded in converting seas into lands and made a barren desert fertile. Nigeria earns far more oil dollars than Dubai but there is no way you can compare Abuja to Dubai. The development of the two cities started the same time .Dubai practises oligarchy but its citizens are happy.
The federal and affected state governments knew several years ago that Bakassi would be handed over to Cameroun but failed to adequately provide alternative accommodation and cushion the effect of such transfer.
The most painful aspect is that it is now that the various governments are planning to put up a settlement for them. What a shame and wickedness of governance. I guess if a category two hurricane had visited Bakassi or any of our coastal cities, we would be talking of death of thousands because the government just doesn't care.
•Mr. Edun, a lawyer and former Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Delta State.
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