Romanticizing the past

One of the most common reservations over the candidacy of President Muhammed Buhari (PMB) in the 2015 general elections was his age. Nigerians wanted change, yet the only person who could defeat the monumentally corrupt and incompetent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, was an aged former leader whose ideas are firmly rooted in the past. […]

One of the most common reservations over the candidacy of President Muhammed Buhari (PMB) in the 2015 general elections was his age. Nigerians wanted change, yet the only person who could defeat the monumentally corrupt and incompetent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, was an aged former leader whose ideas are firmly rooted in the past. The old generally romanticize the past in the belief that both life and the way things were done back then were better. If this is actually true, it would mean all the human development indexes which assert that mankind is improving its material, social and economic condition are wrong. 
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines romanticism as talking about something in a way which makes it sound better than it is, or believing that something is better than it really is. Romanticism is similar to glamorizing or describing something as being better, more attractive, or more interesting than it really is. An indication that our President’s mindset is stuck in the past is the fact that rather than appointing young Nigerians with fresh ideas and approaches, he is searching for old “experienced hands” to run his government. He has yet to explain what great strides or remarkable achievements past office holders left us with. Their legacy is one of failure and monumental corruption. In a memorable song legendary Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff sang “Take a look in the mirror, tell me what do you see?  Is it what you are, or what you want to be?” Nigerians would do well to reflect on this. For far too long we have lived in the past pretending to be what we want to be, rather than accepting what we really are. Thus our football team once ranked 5th in the world now languishing at a lowly 54th continue to call themselves “Super Eagles”. So also we continue to be the self-acclaimed “Giant of Africa” despite no electricity and a graduate unemployment rate of over 85%. In the same vein our “rebased” figures claim we are the “biggest economy in Africa” ignoring the truth that over 75% of Nigerians live below the internationally accepted poverty line. Comically the PDP, roundly defeated in the general election, still refers to itself as the “largest party in Africa”! The most recent example of romanticism is the resurgence of the concept of “Biafra”. Many Igbo are convinced the federal government isn’t representing their interests. Until closed down an illegal “Radio Biafra” hosted phone-in programmes talking about issues affecting the South-east region and their desire to break away from Nigeria. This glamorizing of Biafra makes it appear as if those days were some sort of highpoint in the history of the Igbo peoples, whereas it was exactly the opposite. The fact of secession and the consequent human casualties and suffering represent a permanent tragedy for the Igbo.  Their leaders were guilty of gross deceit asserting the viability of secession whereas the landlocked area was never a viable dream without the oil rich coastal territories which were coerced into citizenship but are now part of the new “south-south” geo-political zone. The majority of those mouthing slogans in support of “Biafra” were not yet born back then and never saw the monumental deprivation the Igbo went through because they were misled. It wasn’t Igbo leaders who did the dying, starving and suffering it was the common man. They should look at the condition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’S) in the various camps across the nation. Sadly they are far better off than “Biafrans” were back in the day.
Igbo people have every right to desire change and a better life; however they must not be misled once again into supporting secession. Their problems are no different from all other underprivileged and exploited Nigerians.  The truth is the Nigerian political class has ruthlessly exploited the masses without regard to ethnicity and only fall back on tribal sentiment when their personal interests are affected. Much is being made of PMB’s reply when interviewed in America by Dr. Pauline Baker and asked about the Nigeria Delta (not part of Igboland) and inclusive development. He said constituencies which gave him 90% cannot be treated the same as those which gave him 5%. This is a political reality. He said those who voted for him must be made to feel that the government appreciates their hard work and sacrifice to put his government in place. This is only fair. However he also said everyone will be guaranteed their constitutional rights. In truth it doesn’t really matter who is appointed into government positions. Ethnic groups in Nigeria have always been betrayed by their own leaders who busy themselves enjoying the finer things in life while people suffer. How did Jonathan’s six years in office benefit the common Ijaw man? Or the many years of Northern rule benefit northerners? When Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Anyim Pius Anyim, Osita Chidoka and Stella Oduah, amongst others held sway at national level how, did it translate to a better life for the Igbo?
Those promoting the cause of “Biafra” should realize that nobody has a monopoly on insults. Their continuous derogation of PMB and his administration’s policies is an indication that they haven’t learnt life’s real lessons. Hate has caused so many problems in the world, but not solved one. Instead of romanticizing the past it’s vitally important we concentrate on the future and get ourselves out of our current mess. If not then as bad as things are, today will eventually become the good old days for future generations!