by Eta Uso
Few days ago, the wife of erstwhile Governor of Lagos State and current Chieftain of the APC, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, called for the resignation of Mr. President, citing the failure to secure the safety of lives and property in the country as the reason for her call.
Before we join or draw daggers at the distinguished Senator for her call, let us take a while and go back memory lane.
In the aftermath of the September, 2011 attacks, which totaled four attacks in a single day, history will recall the resilience of the American citizenry in their stand against their common enemy. History records that America mourned. “Some flew the American flag from their front porches and car antennas. Others pinned it to their lapels or wore it on t-shirts. Sports teams postponed games. Celebrities organized benefit concerts and performances”. Also, to be remembered are the words of a young man to a New York Times reporter. He went thus, “…we all feel differently about what to do in response, but everybody seems to agree that we’ve got to be together no matter what happens. So you get a little bit of hope in togetherness”.
The above scenario even as was disastrous and very unfortunate as in the case of America, however, did not result in the call for the resignation of their leader. Not because the citizens approved of the havoc or negative situation that befell them or that they did not wish the Government should have stopped it before it happened. Rather, the citizens of these countries by understanding the value and power of ‘Unity’, chose to unite against their common enemy during their nation’s darkest hours and not against their Government.
One will expect a Nigeria where the citizens, irrespective of societal, religious or political affiliations, will always and at all times, always remember that a Country comes first before Citizens. Thereby, bringing forth the need to always unite, first for country before self, as citizens do not exist without a country. The connotation of the term ‘stateless’ makes this clear.
Even Abraham Lincoln, understanding the power of Unity during a nation’s trying times especially when lives of citizens are involved, buttressed this need during his ‘House Divided Speech’ of June 16, 1858.
Calling from the above, one would have expected Senator Oluremi Tinubu, being a leader to have been abreast of the need for ‘Oneness’ during our nation’s trying times, thereby giving less fire to division alongside heating up the polity.
I wish that Nigerians are made aware of this simple fact that Nigeria cannot be divided, yet stand at the same time. Neither do we have many options, but two only! It is either we stand as a country, or cease to exist as a country. There are no middle grounds.
We have a situation in Nigeria today where amongst the two most influential political parties, both tend to show strong disapproval towards ethnics wars and terrorism, yet, one of them consistently tends towards making a war at the slight of any unhealthy opportunity. What is the intent of a group or party that openly disapproves of terrorism on one hand, yet on the other hand makes spiteful statements that obviously offer no solution to the issues on ground.
Based on the above, one must ask Senator Oluremi Tinubu to tell Nigerians in clear detail, how by hitting up the polity in seeking the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan during a trying moment as this in our nation’s history, will secure the unconditional release of the girls that were abducted in Chibok, Borno State.
Eta Uso tweets from @royaltyuso.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely does of the author.
