Coup scare in Nigeria: Yet another view

For any Nigerian who, like this author, has lived through the darker days of Nigeria’s political life – the era of coups, civil war and more coups – the mere mention of a return of such a dispensation cannot but impose on such a person an apocalyptic phobia. While the processes of history and passage […]

For any Nigerian who, like this author, has lived through the darker days of Nigeria’s political life – the era of coups, civil war and more coups – the mere mention of a return of such a dispensation cannot but impose on such a person an apocalyptic phobia. While the processes of history and passage of time may have reduced much of the harrowing experiences of those days to mere narratives and fables today, they still remain fresh to the victims, most of who find them unforgettable and would be extremely reluctant to remain complacent and allow a return of such a dispensation.

What with the collapse of governance across the country, the onset of uncertainty over who would live or die in the takeover of governance, especially for security personnel who would operate on both sides of the conflict, the release of trigger-happy gunmen on the streets who would be looking for shooting targets, curfews and movement restrictions, as well as confiscation of property and other goodies by armed bullies operating through the parade of terror. Along with these come the denial of personal liberties and dislocation of individual life plans. Like wars, coup exercises may have defined beginnings but hardly provide problem-free ending.

Another rather grave dimension which renders any coup scare, attempt or even execution as a doomsday dispensation for Nigeria at this time, is the proliferation of armed non-state actors who are marauding as various groups of murderous insurgents across several sections of the country, and are hell-bent on not only destabilising the country but may have also tacitly ‘dismembered’ it and are exercising ill-defined, questionable suzerainty over ‘annexed’ portions.

In fact, it can be imagined how happy such would be to fast-track the meltdown of the Nigerian state in the circumstance of further political turbulences in the country, courtesy of a new coup detat dispensation. Or shall we avoid mentioning the impact on economic growth and business ventures that would define the country’s future by projects like the Dangote Refinery and others? That is why the recent coup scare in the country remains more significant than may be casually realised by many Nigerians – especially the younger ones for whom such a contingency may sound like an ‘old wife’s tale.’

It is also for that reason that the proactive measures taken by the security establishment remain well placed. Just as well, in that same context do the replaced security service chiefs deserve commendation for holding the fort to the best of their collective capacities, as given the history and nature of coup plots in the country, it could have been worse. Well done, therefore, General Christopher Musa and his team. You have served the country and handed over the baton with honour, thereby availing others the opportunity to take the battle deeper and further into the enemy territory. It is all for the good of Nigeria as a great country.

However, going further, the situation calls for a new governance and operational paradigm, whereby a new security architecture needs to be articulated for the country. With the government having installed a fresh leadership for the country’s defence establishment with the former Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, now Chief of Defence Staff, General Waidi Shuaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal   Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, Nigerians expect that things would be done differently in order to get equally different results. 

It is for good measure that the new defence helmsmen were direct subordinates of the outgone top guns; hence are very conversant with the issues involved. Yet they are not magicians but the arrowheads of the country’s response to insecurity.  And just as any arrowhead needs to be fed with support and propulsion, so these patriots and their troops need backup and other necessities to deliver on the battle field.

For members of any of the country’s security agency, merely offering one’s self to serve is more than enough sacrifice for the country. The matter of deliverables from them therefore depends on their sustenance from the country and the government. Hence the cliché that ‘a soldier fights on his stomach’ is not just the matter of food but includes effective logistics and compatible political will from the government.

 To put the scenario more succinctly, assigning military formations to fight insecurity is not like asking a building contractor to build a road or house. While in the second instance the client or government may safely adopt and enjoy some detachment from the project, it may not be so for fighting insecurity.  In this case of fighting insecurity, success is only possible through a closer convergence of enterprise among the government, the citizenry and the military establishment. And that dispensation can only manifest from a regular review of the ever-changing parameters of the contingent situation along with the strategies, capacities and any other wherewithal for resolving the challenge.

With respect to the disposition of Nigerians to the lingering state of insecurity across the country, all they are asking for from border to border is that it ends within a foreseeable future. And their reason for this is not far-fetched. Nigerians recognise the country’s military establishment as one of the best in Africa and across the world following their sterling performances in various theatres of military operations outside the country’s shores.

In the context of the foregoing therefore, the seemingly interminable spate of insecurity in the country cannot be blamed on the military on the basis of asking the ‘physician to heal himself.’ Even at that, the physician also needs medications to heal himself.

During the screening of the new service chiefs by the National Assembly, each of them pledged to deliver on his mandate. As soldiers who are trained to stand by their words and oaths of service, they have done their bit with such a pledge.

Over to you now, President Bola Tinubu, to do the needful in order that they may oblige the country, which in your words requires from them “results, not excuses.”