Daily Independent (Lagos)
Daniel Kanu, Austin Oboh, Rafiu Ajakaye and Olisemeka Obeche
11 November 2008
(Page 3 of 3)
As for what material gains Obama could offer or imperialist policy he could halt, Iyayi offered: "Let us not forget that Obama is ultimately an American who will defend the American national interest. Let us not forget that the American interest has always been and remains the domination of the rest of the world, especially those parts of the world that has resources such as oil that America claims it has a right to access and appropriate. Let us not forget that we live under the American empire and that Obama is simply the new head of that empire. The style of the empire as it goes about shoring up its domination of the world may change, but that the empire will retain its essential character will not change.
"In Nigeria, the challenge of the Obama victory is that we must end the rule of the vipers who have poisoned our lives over the last many years. In Nigeria, the Obama victory calls on all those who are pained to their marrow by the vileness of those who have ruined our country to not just celebrate the victory but to learn and apply its important lessons. It calls on us to organise to ensure that the rot and the pain caused by this most corrupt, sadistic, hedonistic and unpatriotic band of rulers in the world is not allowed to continue. That is the challenge."
Optimism Still
Obama's victory at the American presidential poll has indeed created a torrent of excitement among notable Nigerians. National Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ralph Okey Nwosu, who proclaimed Senator Obama as president of a new free world, noted that he was highly elated that an American of black descent would become the world's most powerful man come January 20, adding that he did not just emerge but that he had prepared for it and worked for it.
Said he: "Obama did not just emerge, he prepared for it and worked for it, and the system made it easier for him; in other places, the system would have made it difficult for him."
The party leader predicted that Senator Obama's presidency would impact positively on the world and that African leaders who had suffered from complexes would now shake off their complexes, seeing one of their own in the most exalted office in America.
"I can predict that Obama's presidency would impact positively on the world, and for African leaders who have always suffered from complexes, seeing their kinsman at the head of the American government will help them cast off their complexes," he declared.
Nwosu, who has been highly critical of the elections in Nigeria, noted that the country has a lot to learn from the American example.
National Chairman of the Democratic Alternative (DA), Abayomi Ferreira, while agreeing that Africans have understandably been carried away by the euphoria of a black man becoming the President of the United States, pointed out that the historic significance of the event lay more in the possibility that America has finally broken out of racism.
"Two or three years ago, no one would have thought that this was possible," he said. Though he expressed the belief that the development could change race relations in European nations such as Italy, France, and Germany, he, nevertheless, said he did not believe it would have much impact on Nigeria or any other African country. His reason was that if prevailing conditions at home were not amenable, situations outside would only effect minimal changes.
He stated: "The impact which external developments can have on Nigeria or any other African country is dependent on the momentum within the country. We can hardly benefit from external influences of change now because of the current political and economic momentum in the country. Unless we change the existing negative forces to positive ones, external influences can only have limited impact on developments here."
Lagos State Action Congress (AC) spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, also agreed that the greatest benefit Africa stands to gain from America during the reign of Obama is not financial grants but technical aid and support to eliminate corrupt leadership and electoral manipulation.
"All that Obama needs to do is to help rid Africa and, indeed, Nigeria of dictators and sit-tight leaders that have been thriving on tears, sweats and blood of their people," Igbokwe said.
For the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Obama's presidency means much more than a mere victory for the black race, but provided the long-suffering African people the handle to change their political circumstances which had largely been imposed by bad leadership.
CNPP National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, said Africa's expectations are high, but cautioned that the continent has to look inwards to solve its problem instead of waiting for Obama to perform wonder.
He posited: "Obama will be constrained by the institutions, not his intention to do good. So, we all, the leaders and the led need to pick up our democratic struggle from where he left.
Former Petroleum Resources Minister, Tam David-West, said Obama's feat is a major challenge to the Nigerian masses to rise up and demand the return of the country's democracy to its rightful place.
He said the reasons past political leaders are still maintaining their firm grip on the political power while sitting on top the nation's wealth is because the masses are complacent and lack the spirit of taking their leaders to the cleaners.
Without stripping all past corrupt leaders of their loot and returning the country's political power to the ballot box, Nigeria will not make any progress, David-West said.
"Nigerians should not expect miracle from Obama, but catch in on his triumph to rise up and ensure that our corrupt leaders are chased out and rightly brought to book," he said.
Having dealt a great ruin to white supremacist theory, Obama's headship of America is sure a gain whose reversal analysts believe would be on how much the president-elect does to save America. For Africa, however, his election is an eye-opener to what magic transparent election can do and a reason its leaders must give representative democracy a chance.
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