Comment
A Chance To Save Nigeria
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and his "number two man" Maj-Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, forgot this, or possibly, ignored it rather, to their own detriment and more important, to the detriment of Nigeria.
That has been the tragedy of the past 20 months in Nigeria. The delusion that those who had imposed them: selves on the people had all the answers and thus could rule the country without consulting or listening to anybody.
The temptation is very great at this stage to recount the many instances of insensitivity and arrogance that have characterised the unmourned Buhari regime, but that is a luxury that we cannot afford now. It is enough never to forget the nightmare, what is more important is that the lessons of the past are learnt and used to guide the future conduct of affairs.
It might be a good idea to accept that the myth of probity, efficiency and patriotism being the preserve of the military has been destroyed. This does not mean that the soldiers are any more or any less corrupt, inept or un- patriotic than the civilians. What it does mean is that they are also only human and have the same strengths and weaknesses as their civilian counterparts. The problems of Nigeria will only begin to be tackled if all the human resources and talents are harnessed together without the constant division of Nigeria into the good guys and the bad guys.
The present situation is desperate and it will be unwise to underestimate the problems, especially because they have been exacerbated by the fact that most people have been demoralised by the recent trauma. What it means, therefore, is that this is the time above all else, when courage needed to take brave decisions.
A definite programme for the return to constitutional rule would be the surest way of concentrating the collective mind of the nation and ensuring that dissipation of energies is stopped.
Within the scope of this programme will include the basic decisions about the economy that will have to be taken.
Solving the economic problems of a country is not exactly the same as marching a column of soldiers in correct formation to the top of the hill and marching them down again, it is not something that can be done with military skills or determination.
Whether or not the country should go to the inter- national Monetary Fund to get help for the short-term debts and adopt the Fund's formula prescription for Third World problems is a subject that will be debated forever and the proponents and opponents will argue their positions with equal passion.
But then it does not really matter which particular package is adopted Nigerian inspired IMF inspired or exclusively the most important ingredient is the creation of the necessary atmosphere to make growth possible. An atmosphere that inspires hard work and It is time for originality and in which hard work is recognised and rewarded and success is applauded.
It is particularly refreshing that Maj-Gen. Babangida, the new leader and his colleagues have realised the danger in a government chasing imaginary enemies. Within 20 months, not only individuals, but media, doctors, students, journalists, workers and other gro have been identified as "enemies" in Nigeria and have been made to feel like outcasts within their own country
In such circumstances, it was not surprising that rather than improve, the economy of the country has deteriorated so alarmingly during the Buhari regime, nor is it surprising that the security services, the National Security Organisation (NSO) in particular, have become so powerful. No country has ever progressed under repressive regime and economic rejuvenation can never take place when everybody is looking over his shoulder and worrying about informants.
It is a brave and wise decision that has been taken by Gen. Babangida to repeal the infamous Decree No which has so terrorised the Press and done so much damage to the regime. Obviously the entire saga of Decree 4 is the clearest example of the insensitivity Gen. Buhari and Gen. Tunde Idiagbon, for it did not n a seer to point out that the government lost far more fr keeping that particular decree than they could if it scrapped.
Then there was the ludicrous rule that was supposed to stop all "political" discussions and which was the clear indication that Gen. Buhari did not know his own country and his fellow countrymen.
It is the prerogative of every Nigerian to discuss problems of the country and that is a right that cannot be taken away. The last constitution suspended December 31, 1983 can be a starting point for discussions and the more open the discussions, the better for the health of the nation.
This is not to suggest that simply being able to discuss the problems will make them go away, but there is one thing that has become painfully clear to Nigerians about any number of WAI phases would not bring "discipline’ into the society either.
Very few men get the opportunity to lead a nation such a historical moment as it has fallen on General Babangida to do at this time. If he should find the welcome of his people muted, it is only because they have been betrayed so often and many of them are understandably apprehensive that no real change has taken place and they would rather wait and see evidence of change rather than be betrayed again. Such times demand courage and Gen. Babangida has a solid enough reputation as a brave soldier to have the self confidence to take the destiny of his country purposefully forward This is the time to call on Nigeria's political leaders to come together and draw on their resources. It is time stop wasting energies on "enemies" and unite the country.
The country has had a very close escape from catastrophe, there is still a lot of goodwill. It is time to take the opportunity to save Nigeria.
