Nigeria and the yes men of yesterday

As Nigeria has gone through one transitionary phase after another, so many men and women of conscience have struggled to hold to the vestigial remains of their consciences. As the extremely unpredictable wind of life has continued to blow hither and thither, many of those who seemed secure in their skins have had their nakedness […]

As Nigeria has gone through one transitionary phase after another, so many men and women of conscience have struggled to hold to the vestigial remains of their consciences. As the extremely unpredictable wind of life has continued to blow hither and thither, many of those who seemed secure in their skins have had their nakedness laid bare for all to see.

In 1999, Nigeria`s historic return to the hallowed path of democracy allowed the country the opportunity to resume a journey delicately and democratically designed to lead to development, which was however long truncated by the incredible high-handedness of military dictatorships.

With the retracing of national steps back to democracy, there was no longer any need for so many to pretend to promote freedom and democracy while in bed with military dictatorships, or for others to forge hardly deserved reputation out of opposing them.

With Nigeria`s return to democracy, a new vista opened which made it possible for people to associate and work freely, especially in institutions long endangered because they gave a voice to the voiceless. This somewhat newfound safety resulted from the safe knowledge that democracy is a bulwark against many kinds of reprisals. 

With the opening of this new vista, the media and the civil society in Nigeria found it easier to operate away from suffocating military tyranny. 

Over the years, men and women from the civil society and the media have contested for and won elections, or have been drawn based on political appointments into the corridors of power.

Journalists, labour leaders, human rights advocates, social activists and all have at different times made the crossover, crossing the battleline drawn by those who consider constructive criticism a necessary condiment in the making of a better society, to the corridors of power.

Those who have crossed the line have attested that despite the high perks, pins, and needles litter the corridors of power, especially for the products of civil society.

Kene Obiezu writes from Anambra State