NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Shortcut To Good Governance In Nigeria

By Frank Ediagbonya

The Nigerian National Anthem sings that "the labour of our past heroes shall never be in vain". Available evidence and the unpatriotic attitude of Nigerian leaders has put the labour, struggle and selfless effort of the early Nationalist leaders who took daring risks to set Nigeria free from the scourge of colonialism in vain. The motives for which Nigerian independence was fought and attained have been defeated by greed and hypocrisy of today's Leaders.

For those who thought Nigerian independence would bring Peace, justice and freedom to all Nigerians and those who dreamt that the national treasury will be secure from foreign exploitation at the same time and the many who thought that the non existence colonialism would restore their human dignity, these thoughts and dreams turn out to be fortified and consolidated with a huge disappointment from their own leaders. What is on ground in Nigeria nearly five decades after independence is disgraceful, unwarranted and fall short of the great expectations many Nigerians had wished for. Those who wanted succour from good governance from their own people are now having a moment of rethink and regret.

Chief Anthony Enahoro would tell Nigerians that the reason why he moved the motion for independence in 1953 and then 1958 were not as critical as the exploitation and inhumane treatment Nigerians are now receiving from their own leaders today. What Nigerians thought were hardship in colonial era would have been considered as the best regime in today's Nigeria after all the colonial masters listened to the wish of the majority and granted Nigeria independence. Chief Anthony Enahoro is still available for comments and clarifications on this issue.

The quest for good governance, freedom of thought, quality education, good health-care system, standard infrastructural facilities, respect for human rights and dignity, freedom of the press, freedom of movement and better standard of living for all Nigerians was what prompted Chief Enahoro, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Raymond Njoku, Alhaji, Sir, Tafawa Belewa, Herbert Macaulay, etc to seek for political and economic self determination by the Nigerian people from the British Government which was realised in 1960. ( Continues below..... )

Most Nigerians in corridor of power see themselves as a replacement for colonial masters the differences between them and the colonial master is that they are not prepared to listen to the wishes and aspirations of the majority. As an occupational force; Nigerian politicians should not bank on the notion that fear factor would keep good governance at bay forever. A new nationalist movement can override fear factor and the attainment of fresh independence from the oppressors of the masses and the hijackers of the peoples' mandate realised. Nationalism is not a one off thing, it is a continuous process which must be encouraged until Nigeria is set free from the siege of bad leaders.

About a decade ago, in a one hour interview granted to CNN, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Prize Winner of Literature in 1984 lamented seriously over the way Nigeria has been and is being governed. He highlighted the deplorable conditions the military and politicians have left Nigeria and he reiterated that these governments have rendered many Nigerian youth a wasted generation. Providence has prove Wole Soyinka right, he has been vindicated by his own predictions about Nigeria just like many great Nigerians like him who saw Nigeria's tomorrow from the happenings of today. The conclusion of Soyinka's CNN interview were suggestions of shortcut to good governance in Nigeria. He suggested among many:

*A sovereign national conference

*True Federalism

*Devolution of Power; i.e regional governments and a reduction in the power of the President.

*Credible electoral processes.

*Transparency and accountability of the leaders to the leads. etc.

Few years after that memorable CNN interview, Soyinka messages fell on deaf ears, the political and social problems of Nigeria grew rapidly and has now spiral out of control. These problems have been diagnosed with many complications by local and international experts and the solutions appears to be hidden among the politicians in Abuja and some forces working against the progress of Nigeria. There is no Nigerian problem without a solution.

Wole Soyinka mounted the podium in Abuja a few days ago, addressing Great Nigerians, urging them to protest against Nigeria's interregnum, his messages and protest generated a lot of controversy from never listening power-mongers of Nigeria. Soyinka's protest march was met with a counter protest march. Soyinka has called for civil disobedience which has gained the support and disagreement of many Nigerians from the North, South, East and West. It seems that there is no threat dreadful enough to panic the present day rulers of Nigeria not even the hardship and supplications of the majority. Nigeria is under siege of a cartel who handles National issues like their private estate if not why are the Nigerians in the corridor of power treating their fellow countrymen and women as tenants in their mother's land? Are there no shortcut to good governance in a country like Nigeria? Does good governance fall from heaven like manna? Does good governance exist anywhere in the world? With what comparison can good governance be measured? ( Continues below..... )

Photo Above: President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria

Agitation for a dependable, reliable and sustainable government in Nigeria is not a new development, historical evidence shows that from colonial era till date, there is an overloaded desire by many Nigerians to experience good governance for at least a presidential tenure in their life time. This desire or quest is developing gradually into a social movement which could soon overthrow the current regimes of bad governance in Nigeria. Be that as it may, good governance does not come on a platter of gold, with the magic word of abracadabra or from lip service of those who are perpetuating bad governance.

Many campaigners of good governance in Nigeria have lost their freedom, properties, constitutional rights and privileges, many have been socially excluded from the scheme of things for seeking an alternative social system to bad governance, many have been declared public enemy number one, many have been given death threats, many have seek refuge in far away countries while many have been assassinated despite all these, the quest for good governance is waxing stronger in Nigeria.

Good governance is borne out of bad governance. Developed countries of the world which many Nigerians envied today, countries which some rich Nigerians even travel to for medical treatment or send their children for studies were once like Nigeria before they chose the path of good over evil. There were evidence of bad governance in England in 1640-1660 which led to the execution of King Charles and his Cavaliers. Jerry John Rawlings overthrown bad governance in Ghana on 31st Dec. 1981. France 1789 bad governance led to the execution of Louis XVI, March 1st 1881 Czar Alexander II was executed for bad Governance, the Spanish revolution of 1820, 1830 and 1863 happened as a result of bad governance. The Austria revolution of 1848 was a quest for good governance. The American revolution, the American war of independence were all quests for good governance. Government changes through credible elections and these changes are manifestation of good or better governance.

Where does the quest for good governance leave Nigeria and Nigerians? Nigeria inherited a parliamentary system from the British, a system that has worked perfectly well in Britain for more than 600 years, same system has worked in many countries that inherited or copied it from Britain but it was a complete disaster in Nigeria. Policy marker in Nigeria opted for the American Presidential system, a system that is being successfully practised by many countries of the world and yet it is proving to be a huge failure in Nigeria because anything done in Nigeria involving money, religion or tribe, all hell would break loose.

It is sad that Nigeria is in a crossroad after all the sympathy the leaders have received from their helpless and tolerating followers, Nigeria is in a political impasse the second time in 18 years, an evidence of gross irresponsibility on the part leadership, a cast iron proof that things have fallen apart with the centre in a partial or complete disarray. The root of Nigeria's social problems lies with those who are manipulating the system to suit their personal needs at the expense of national interest and beside, the shortcut to good governance lies not with today's unpatriotic politicians but the people's voting power if credible elections is instituted in Nigeria.

The imposition of good governance in those countries mentioned above were not an ambitious one. It happened with the support of the military and the police who respected and uphold the will of the majority. The hypocrisy of the Nigerian politics is so pronounced and confusing so much so that the blame of Nigeria gradually becoming a failed state is being traded between the leaders and their followers. Who are the bulk passers?

Good governance is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians whether you are a soldier, police, air force, tax collector, in the diaspora, medical doctor, chemist man, petty trader, journalist, politicians, teacher or a market woman. The need for a new nationalist movement for the enthronement of good governance by desperate means can not be overemphasized.

The reward of good governance could be good network of operational roads, workers salaries and retirees pensions could be paid as at when due, education in Nigeria could regain its lost glory. With good governance hospitals would become fully functional and equipped that the need to seek medical treatment oversea may be history and more lives could be saved. Good governance could create millions of jobs for many Nigerians and brain drain would cease to exist, violent crime like armed robbery, ritual killings and kidnapping would become history or could plunge by up to 95%. 419 would be cast away, free and fair election would rule Nigeria. Nigerians could then look inward for all their needs when good governance becomes fully operational in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Politicians who dare to steal public money as they are doing right now, would be guillotined. With good governance Nigeria can aspire to stand shoulder by shoulder with great countries like USA, Britain, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Spain, Russia etc because they have their credibility in place and they won't be begging for handout from rich countries. If Nigerians continue to perpetuates evil over good, bad governance over good governance, shot at sight over common sense then Nigerian problem is far from being over.

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