The President as a Suspect

When the bombs exploded, it seemed to several citizens that a new dimension has been added into the Nigerian national question, not because we are not used to such blasts especially in the oil producing Niger-Delta area, but never in recent times across the Niger and the Benue. Of course in the Abacha days, we […]

When the bombs exploded, it seemed to several citizens that a new dimension has been added into the Nigerian national question, not because we are not used to such blasts especially in the oil producing Niger-Delta area, but never in recent times across the Niger and the Benue. Of course in the Abacha days, we had some blasts in Kaduna where Bagauda Kaltho was the victim, but in recent history I cannot remember where such an ugly incident happened more so in a supposed special day in a vicinity where not just the President but also visiting Presidents and other dignitaries were watching the nation’s wretched military hardware on display.

Again, to say the least, it is unfortunate that we lost so many of our citizens in that heinous crime. Others are badly injured while the government with its apparently inexperienced heads thought it could seize the occasion to unleash political terror on its opponents, typical of immaturity in power. The opportunity was bungled, and instead the government is now left desperately defending its immaturity and even chasing shadows.

When the bombs blew the life off 12 Nigerians and injured several others what immediately came to my mind was not necessarily the rationale behind the dastardly acts or who was responsible but the reality of prophesies which the political class in the country, especially those in power, seem to be disregarding.

When Ambassador Campbell wrote in his book and predicted a possible crisis in Nigeria if the 2011 elections are not properly handled, the government and its agents snatched the opportunity to call him and others who made similar predictions names. They called him prophet of doom and a person who does not wish Nigeria well. I wonder how much they too wish the country well in view of their unwillingness to subordinate themselves to national goals and aspirations through effective political engagement.

After the bombers had achieved their objectives, the next item on the agenda was for the President to misfire. While MEND was bragging that it was responsible, our president chose to publicly say he knew well that they were not responsible. The government chose to look the other way and began to fabricate culprits. They were very serious about their position until Henry Okah spoke to Al-jazeera from his South African cell.

All that the government could do was to issue counter statement saying that Okah was lying, that nobody called and asked him to ask MEND to retract its claim of responsibility because Northern politicians are to be blamed. One thing is clear in this debacle. There is certainly a liar between Henry Okah and those in the Presidency.

In any case, why would the government want to blame the bombing in Abuja on Northern politicians? To set them against their people? So that they don’t vote for them during their party primaries or what? Who are the Northern politicians in the PDP anyway? IBB? Atiku or Ali Gusau? Fingers are on the IBB camp. Raymond Dokpesi, his campaign Director General who earlier complained of tricks to deal with him was since on the firing range from state security officials.

Anyone who wants to be elected as the president in Nigeria must enjoy at least 50% of the support from Northern votes. I think the reason why Goodluck Jonathan and his handlers seem to be disregarding this political reality may not be unrelated to their belief that in 2011, elections would be business as usual where votes never count and instead, the security agencies in alliance with those in power will announce results as they deem fit.

No wonder General Obasanjo is now fully back on the saddle and is providing the needed impetus to brutality so that by whatever means, Goodluck Jonathan will be the winner in both the PDP primaries and the general elections. No wonder the PDP hierarchy itself is desperate in coercing the National Assembly to amend the electoral act to re- accommodate the unpopular ‘super delegates’.

The removal of these super delegates from party primaries has been defined by Nigerians and even foreigners alike who are keen about our elections as the most progressive innovations in the new law. I do not think the parliament will succumb to this presidential blackmail because the removal provides a near level playing grounds for all aspirants, especially into executive positions in the country.

Now that the President spoke again very poorly when his sidekicks from the North paid him a solidarity visit on Monday that he didn’t mean no harm in exonerating MEND of complicity, especially against the backdrop of Henry Okah’s testimonies, it is astonishing to believe that this Doctor of Philosophy is, if not polished enough, without any finishers around to help him organize his words. (Read Muhammed Haruna’s column, Daily Trust: 13/10/10 for details)

It is only in Nigeria that a president could mess up the way Goodluck has and continue to enjoy support even from local lackeys. The management of Abuja bombings and statements that came from the President and his men were national embarrassments. While Nigerians continue to play politics with it as first started by the President himself, the rest of the world are laughing at us.

General Buhari was kind enough to define the President’s exuberance as merely a result of inexperience; other political opponents especially within the PDP have since reduced this unpresidential action to stark incompetence. I wish to align myself with the two views because they certainly are two sides of the same coin.

At this critical threshold of Nigeria’s history, I think the nation deserves much more than what the Jonathan clique are offering it. Nigeria cannot survive under a leadership that is narrow in thinking and orientation. We deserve more than that and I think the point which the Jonathan group thought they would achieve by politicking with and trivializing the Abuja bombs has backfired and is now a huge political liability to the camp.

Nigerians must save themselves from the incompetence they face and that is looming in the air otherwise it is not unlikely that the prophesies of those whom we think do not wish us well may equally come to pass. The evidence of things to come is better appreciated in the manner the president and his men handled the Abuja bomb.