Securing Nigeria

In the last few days what preoccupied Nigeria wasn’t more about the Boko Haram bombs but the insurrection in certain parts of Plateau State which left many lives and property destroyed. What we know is that the problem is clearly the debate on settler/indigene dichotomy as a result of occupation of political positions in Jos […]

In the last few days what preoccupied Nigeria wasn’t more about the Boko Haram bombs but the insurrection in certain parts of Plateau State which left many lives and property destroyed. What we know is that the problem is clearly the debate on settler/indigene dichotomy as a result of occupation of political positions in Jos North local government and area in the Plateau that is inhabited by the so called settlers for years long ago.

I m of the view that Nigerian government with the required effort and sincerity is likely to see to the end of the Boko Haram insurrection in not too distant future but the crisis in the Berom dominated areas of Plateau state is likely to linger unless certain basic realities are put into consideration and effective brinkmanship, not the type the current leadership in the crisis area is deploying.

Any attempt by the outsider to bring peace may not work unless the leadership of the Beroms and the settlers come to an agreement on certain basic realities otherwise the bloodbath may as well have no end in sight. I am not sure if the Chief of Jos and his Governor really understand the damage they are making to their land and their people.

The last time, a few days before the current outbreak when the National Security Advisor visited the state, the Chief of Jos, a retired Comptroller General of the Nigerian Custom Service and undoubtedly one of the major beneficiaries of the ‘benevolence’ of the settlers on the Plateau and even those outside of it muted clearly and in public that the indigenes of Jos would never allow any settler or visitor either be appointed or elected into any political position in the state.

If such statement does come from the aspiring Berom elites, it is certainly a pointer to the fact that the battle line has since been drawn and we may have to live with it for some time to come because it is clear that in politics all over the world that people are more comfortable electing their representatives from within themselves.

Applying this theory to the Jos North scenario, it is not likely that in the foreseeable future, any so called indigene may win elective position if one man one vote dictum of western liberal democracy is to hold.

It is sad that the government in Abuja seem to be in tandem with that in Jos in the unwillingness to address the Jos issue dispassionately. I share the saying of the revered Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio that a society can survive with unbelief but can never survive on injustice and this is exactly what the problem is on some parts of the Plateau and even greater Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.

Social justice is essential in maintaining societal peace and stability. I don’t believe President Jonathan when he said that the reason behind his administration’s colossal failure in the land is the prevailing insecurity. Is it not the same president who told a group of journalists in South Korea recently, when canvassing for foreign investment for the country that the insurrection or terrorism as they chose to call it happens in just a small section of the country?

If that is true, then how manage that the impact of government is not felt in greater Nigeria where there are no incidences of insecurity? This is purely a case of approbating and reprobating; one eating his cake and wanting to have it at the same time.

My submission today is that as it has always been and unless otherwise, the presidency of Dr Goodluck Jonathan is a tragic failure and hardly it is on the way to redemption. I do believe that it is not too late but it will appear that the government would prefer the business as usual posture which certainly will neither see it nor Nigerians to any reasonable distance out of the crises.

I am worried that Nigeria is facing serious threats to its existence and I am worried the more because the President himself is owning to the fact that for the PDD government’s tolerance, the country would have disintegrated.

Again, I am worried as I often say that the series of crisis in the country in the last one year has not been as threatening and scaring to me than the seeming leadership weaknesses that characterize the government that is supposed to be our last hope.

I think we need to work harder if the nation is to get out of the woods that it finds itself in. insecurity and fear will remain with us if those who are in charge of our affairs continue to be heartless. They must be focused and well directed to save us all from this crisis and its possible degeneration.

Politics must be reduced and real issues of security and the lack of it. Nigeria is facing so many challenges. It can only walk away from these challenges if the necessary honesty and action are deployed to deal with the situation. The problems are not insurmountable.