[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he recent growing clamor for self-determination by various Nigerian nationalities is a reflection and rejection of the impunity, total disregard for dignity, fairness, equity and justice inherent in the Nigerian space as currently configured. These maladies are blatantly displayed in the illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu. It is brazen, in-your-face, offensive and rather than deter has invigorated agitators.
Efforts to resolve Nigeria’s Nationality question have been in political discourse for decades. But it continued to be frustrated by a section of the country that has ruled and looted Nigeria for most of her existence as a nation, but who like most in vantage positions, flippantly espouses faux patriotism.
The truth of the matter is Nigeria is in a deep rot, largely due to lack of emotional investment in her by Nigerians, who see the nation either as a lie or a cow to be selfishly carved, not nourished. This unfortunate relationship may be because, since the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated by Lord Frederick Lugard in 1914, to form the space now known as Nigeria, there has never been an inclusive, conclusive dialogue leading to a social compact or a legitimate constitution. Consequently, Nigeria has been hobbled by turbulent and unstable governments, despite the so-called practice of ‘democracy’. Although Nigeria attained independence from Britain in 1960, she has become one of the very disappointing cases of an African country unable to institutionalize credible democratic governance.
We currently operate a constitution handed down by the military which blatantly lied from the opening that it was by “We The People…” On this false document, a wobbly unsustainable political system was perched solely to sustain the same elite class that has unjustly cornered the resources of the country since independence. Without any emotional attachment to the constitution, most Nigerians consciously or subconsciously believe every process in Nigeria lacks merit; systems can be forged and manipulated with little or no consequences (such as the census, elections, law and order, justice, equity and punishment, education, qualifications and employment); no access to quality healthcare and basic living essentials; rights and privileges trampled on; non-existing protection of life and property; and the list goes on and on.
Why must we continue to operate a fraudulent constitution handed down by a discredited military regime like zombies? We cannot be free from the control of our oppressive influences, who will still selfishly parade the corridors of power if we continue to operate from their playbook. The recent invigorated clamor for self-determination by various nationalities within the Nigerian space is a rejection of the impunity and total disregard for dignity, fairness, equity and justice inherent in the Nigerian space as currently configured.
Rather than cracking down on non-violent self-determination demanding advocates and protesters, meaningful dialogue is hereby counseled, starting with the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu..
Two national conferences were convened in 2005 and 2014 to address the imbalance in our polity but none of their recommendations were implemented. Genuinely implementing those recommendations may be the elixir for peaceful co-existence.
Edward Oparaoji is a professor of pharmacy and chairman, Nigerian-American Leadership Council, a Washington DC Based think-tank. Connect with him on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
