STRIKER: Between A Rock And A Hard Place

 

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

IT is widely acknowledged that there are three key institutions that are solidly built and jealously guarded against vicissitudes by all nations desirous of stability and prosperity: the education, research and development establishments; the civil service; and the justice and policing system. Whatever may go wrong with society in any other sector, once these institutions remain steadfast on their mandates, that society must always recover its balance and surge forward to its historic destiny.

Corrupted beyond recognition over the course of 60 years, these institutions in Nigeria are today all but gone with the winds. In any society where that happens, the people are at the mercy of divine providence–bedevilled with politicians, politics, economy and governance of such negative quality difficult to find adjectives for in the dictionary. However, if the society has not entirely gone to blazes, redemption is always possible through a combined effort of progressive patriots amongst the elites (few as they may be), and the civil society and popular organisations (atomised, disempowered and disoriented as they may be). Nigeria is today at that historic junction.

They say “Rome was not built in a day.” As the destruction of those institutions did not happen in a day, so will their rebuilding to noble and efficient heights. Without those institutions functioning at their optimal and dedicated best, there can only be a republic, federation and democracy as a lie generally agreed to, free press as a lie generally believed, and trials and tribulations for the majority as a way of life. Between that station and the Promised Land, what is to be done?

One sure thing that is inescapable and urgent for Nigeria today is political conciliation on all matters arising! It is a sort of ceasefire to clear roadblocks to further movement, and possible disintegration. Political settlements are usually a generally accepted loll in order to give room to further motion towards sanity and progress. Between now and the 2023 general elections, reinventing and restructuring Nigeria to a genuine federation is simply not feasible; even constitutional amendment for more inclusiveness and devolution of power is fast becoming impossible time-wise. However, courage must be mustered firstly by the ruling government (propelled or compelled by the rulingparty), to engage the main opposition party and other parties, all “enemies of the state,” and well-meaning organisations and leading statesmen and women, to arrive at and agree on positions and policies that give a sense of accommodation to all, genuinely. Well organised and managed consultations can lead to its attainment, and in good time. Without it, proceeding with the elections is a dangerous gambit at best or a journey into oblivion, at worst!

Once sooner achieved, three steps must speedily follow in order to guarantee a smooth transition of power, avoid an inconclusive electoral process, a constitutional crisis and potential disaster: one, passing the electoral bills amendment; two, securing a universal “gentleman” agreement among politicians and political parties to play by the rule – intra party and inter party; three and lastly, mustering political will to deal decisively and ruthlessly with any state or non-state actor seeking to derailthe obtained “ceasefire”, security-wise or otherwise, whosever they may be, without fear or favour!

There are no extraordinary suggestions in all steps itemised above as no one looses, whereas everyone gains. By politically settling accounts and obtaining a truce with Nationality agitations groups and their leaders, with so-called bandits and their leaders and mentors, with state governors, trades unions, et al, the social, economic and political atmosphere conducive for the election is achieved, once the security organisations and INEC are ready to impartially do their bit.

Since the much that needed to be done were not done for so long, while busy doing things that shouldn’t be done, the nation and its people have found self between a rock and a hard place; escaping to safety is now a singular and compelling priority. Only after that can we be alive to rethink and reflect on where we were coming from, how we got to the nasty place we are and re-envision where we want to go collectively, and then commence the journey methodically. All hands must be on deck for that goal, with prayers and pressure on the mentioned chief stakeholders not to abandoned their duties to the nation and the people.