Who is the De Facto Chief Executive?
Kehinde Onakunle
The major, pertinent issue in the academic community all over the world now is the often and prompt usurpation of democratic processes in developing countries in Africa... but who tells the soldiers that it is only they who can save their countries from economic bankruptcy?There is no iota of doubt about the popularity and overwhelming support Nigerians are giving the new military administration in Nigeria. That could be expected anyway.
The issue at stake is not that Nigerians abhor democracy but lack of able, dynamic and purposeful leadership, both at state and national levels.
The any-body-but-the-politicians attitude of many people in Nigeria was borne out of severe deprivations, apathy and the ravenousness of the so-called civilian leaders. They all came pleading and yearning in 1979 that the then Khaki administration return the country to civilian regime. Their wish as well as that of 100 million Nigerians were granted. But immediately Obasanjo and his cohorts went back to the barracks where they should normally belong, the politicians started their plunder, and looted the nation's treasury bare.
Where are patriots of the mine, endowment and vision of Kwame Nkrumah, Steve Biko, Murtala Muhammed, Maitama Gandhi, Meir etc? These are certainly gods created by God Almighty in his own image. Their likes come once in one's lifetime.
Can it be true that Africans, and only Africans cannot manage their own affairs successfully? It has been argued severally that democracy is a white man's idea. But what prevents the African - a man or a woman, from formulating a systematic workable government - machinery based on African tradition; something like, civilian - military police assemblage for the governance of the masses?
Now after wasting away a chink of tax payers hard earned money on an unworkable, clumsy and extravagent white elephant presidential system, Nigeria is back to zero one. During the civilian interregnum, hundreds of lives, properties and money were lost. The politicians have by now, I suppose, realised their folly in killing each other and burning one another's belongings for irrational, worldly things. However, the issues of the raider politicians would be left for posterity to judge.
BANKRUPTCY
The major, pertinent issue in the academic community all over the world now is the often and prompt usurpation of democratic process in African developing nations with the usual excuse 'to clean the country of corruption and save it from economic bankruptcy'. That is a good and lofty objective, isn't it? But who tells the Khaki boys that it is only they that can save the nation? Are they not performing the exact opposite of their raison d'etre?When is Africa coming out of the wood? Nigeria, the only hope of democracy in black Africa has again been forced into Khaki administration, where a whiz khaki boy can shoot his mouth loud and the noise becomes decrees - laws. No question. No debates. And no argument. Decree is Decree.
Economy of any nation is such a delicacy that only seasoned economic wizards can adequately contain its low and ebbs. Its high and low, rise and fall. And no nation can claim monopoly of disaster-free economy. The recent recession affected both the highly industrialised nations as well as developing ones. Nigeria is no exception.
Nobody condones the nefarious activities of Nigerian politicians. And no one is holding brief for them or trying to absolve them. They are all raiders of the second Republic of Nigeria. And they have succeeded, to a large extent, in wrecking it. Now Umaru Dikko is on the run. Screaming through all nations of the earth. He has not got a resting place again. He has murdered sleep.
The most important question now is, who is the de facto and de jure Chief Executive in a presidential system of government? The PRESIDENT OR THE ARMY GENERALS?
Discussion of the rights and wrongs of the military coup of 31st December in Nigeria would certainly go on and on for a very long time. Even after these khaki boys are fed-up with administration of the country and civilian life is restored, would the new president be confident or should he be wary of his Army Generals who can check him out anytime and with flimsy excuse.
No wonder, the Alafin of Oyo, in the old Oyo Empire, decried his Are Ona Kakanfo, his Army General and soldiers from living within the city with civilians. The Are Ona Kakanfo and the entire army reside outside the fortress. That is where, of course, they belong. To ward away external aggression. Any internal disturbances can always be contained by the police. Perhaps its high time African nations adopted such a system.
Democracy does not come to any nation on a platter of gold. It only comes out of sweat. And it should be guarded jealously.
The whole world is watching General Buhari with keen eyes. Economy of Nigeria is delicate to handle. Too hot to handle. The slightest blunder can plunge 100 million inhabitants into untold abject poverty.
The International Monetary Fund and the issue of the OPEC-raising of Nigeria's export quota should be treated with care and urgency. The destiny of millions of people now rests squarely in General Mohammed Buhari's hand. While wishing him huge success, I'll also remind him that he holds the key to happiness and sadness of the generality of Nigerians, home or abroad. His policies/decrees certainly affect the destiny of millions of people.
