Nigeria Through 1985 (Part II)
Nigeria, like most African countries, has gone through an eventful year that has seen a change of leadership and a protracted debate on the IMF, among other things. This review assesses the past year. (see part 1In truth what happened was that Buhari selected those creditors who were willing to pay commissions for the favour done in agreeing to pay them. Obviously many creditors would rather quietly oblige than face uncertainties of waiting until doomsday. So with the condition satisfied, Buhari was ready to give out 40% or even more out. It was to him a pleasure to see Nigerians suffer, that would be teaching them the lessons of discipline! So that was the simple answer - dishonesty disguised as patriotism! Buhari said they were not begging anybody" - and yet did he tell anybody the number of private individuals who as businessmen he sent all over the place, begging for gifts, for loans etc. How many people did he secretly sign letters for, authorising them to organise loans for Nigeria through consortia of Banks? How many people did he send around on oil businesss?
Buhari said the Nigerian towns and cities were clean. He mentioned just two - Lagos and Kano. Maybe they were. So he got the populace to come out and sweep the road when the money under that vote went where? Labourers were sacked and the people were asked to do the job for no pay. Yet they were not exempted from paying taxes, school fees for their children, hospital charges for their sick-ones, high prices for food, high prices for everything. On top of it they must supply free labour. And Buhari had the audacity to count this as one of his achievements. He forgot to mention Daura as one of the towns that got a badge for being clean during his time. But hear the cheek of it all, Buhari said there were drugs in the hospitals. One must wonder whether he was talking to Nigerians about Nigeria, or was he dreaming of another country that was uppermost in his mind? As to this issue of drugs in hospitals he got his reply from the doctors who went on strike for precisely the lack of drugs in the Nigerian hospitals. Buhari's final answer on the issue came in the "I, again Sani Abacha" broadcast on August 27th 1985.
However, Buhari was for a change honest enough to admit that: "we still have inflation, unemployment, shortages, higher prices and salary arrears". So after a full year in unquestionable control, where his word was more than ordinary law, the above situation was what he had to show for Nigeria! Why did he come in the first place? If managing a contingent of Nigerian troops alongside other African nations in Chad proved too diffi- cult for this ailing General, one must wonder what on earth made him think he could manage a country of a hundred million! Buhari was booted out in 1985, a little over half way through the year. He came by the gun, and by the gun he went.
The General was trembling and could not even dress properly despite the permission given to dress up and come out. He forgot to put on his shoes even though he chose to put on his army uniform to be taken away. As for the Nazi Chief of the NSO he was taken dead drunk, found in one of his hide-outs, paid for and maintained at the expense of the public. It was said that when the huge body of Rafindadi was thrown in front of Buhari, the latter was shocked for he never thought Rafindadi drank alcohol in his life. This was the man who could not care less who died or survived in the NSO dungeons. The third culprit, the thug, was in Saudi Arabia when the Jihad' he had for so long fantasised about caught up with him. Poor chap he never could understand the difference between the literal and metaphorical use of the word.
From those who were with him in Jeddah came the story that the General of WAI broke down totally, crying treachery, treachery. He was openly crying and pleading. Let it be said once and for all for the record Idiagbon did NOT return to Nigeria of his own accord as some of his tribesmen would have us believe. The Saudi Arabian Government refused to hand him his passport. His wish was to have political asylum, failing which he would wish to be allowed to leave for Pakistan. The Saudi Government refused him both and asked Nigeria to come and collect him. So to the delegation that went to Saudi Arabia was handed the once Major-General Tunde Idiagbon who was delivered to the new Administration, period.
CHANGE
On Babangida taking the rein of affairs in Nigeria there was a sigh of relief. It was the blowing of the wind of change. The Mafia sponsored administration was done with and over.The first act of the new regime was to acknowledge that there had been violent violations of human rights. Right away people were released from detention and families that had been separated for twenty months were re-united. It was a very happy reunion for many. The new regime also promised a review of the illegal sentences passed on people by the Military Tribunals. The air of freedom had returned, it seemed as if Nigerians were suddenly freed from bondage. The days of NSO were over and many of Rafindadi's top lieutenants went into hiding, just like the Hitler SS took to their heels with the defeat of Germany. The gang of officially certified terrorists under the name of NSO is now under investigation by the new regime. They should thank their stars that what happened to the Shah's SAVAK did not happen to them because President Babangida is not as ruthless as Ayatollah.
True to the commitment to open government, people are now free to express their opinion on their country. The in- famous Decree No. 4 on the Press was abrogated and the freedom of the Press once again given recognition. Nigerians were asked to voice out their views on the question of taking or rejecting the IMF loan. This people did and recently a stand has been taken by the Federal Military Government not to accept the IMF. So the matter is closed. Probes have been constituted into countertrade in order to fish out counterfraud.
It is interesting to compare this approach with that of his predecessor who said it was a crime for Nigerians to even discuss the question of return to a democratic rule.
One important factor must not be allowed to escape our notice. There are those waiting in the wings to cash in at the least opportunity. They could not defeat President Shagari through the ballot.
One final advice to President Baban- gida. He should remember he is now at the helm of affairs in Nigeria. He carries a great responsibility. The shots are for him to call. Let them be truly his shots. The head of a nation of a hundred million cannot be pushed about or moved about except by reason. Those who think they can use him to fight those they cannot face should be in for a shock! His prime con- cern must be the welfare of Nigerians.
It is hoped that the wind of liberty which has started blowing in Nigeria will reach every home. Everybody's prayer should be that 1986 will be a year of greater harvest and that Nigeria under the new regime will do everything to restore the good name of that country internationally so that it will once again deserve respect in international forums as a responsible nation.
