Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has said that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Wednesday’s election has dealt a final blow on godfatherism in the state political history, represented by those he named as Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi.
Governor Oshiomhole said that the APC is committed to dismantling the rigging machine of those he described as political godfathers in the state, adding that Edo is the only state where election had been held in recent times without bloodshed adding that nobody died.
He told news men shortly after the results were announced that over the last eight years, “we have tried to orientate our people not just the voters but politicians that the season of election rigging where one or two godfathers wrote the results is over and we were committed to dismantling the rigging machine.
“We had a rerun in 2012 with all the godfathers on one side and new forces of change on my side, I won in all the 18 local government areas. Our people have spoken loud and clear that they believe in democracy, they just don’t want to be beneficiaries, they want to be the drivers of the process. This was showed by the way they conducted themselves on Election Day.
“It is outstanding and remarkable that tensed as the election was, out of 18 local governments, we won in 15 decisively. Those who were loudest in making noise had been revealed where they stand in relation with Edo people.
“We have humbled Chief Tom Ikimi even in the local government he claimed to have created. We defeated Chief Raymond Dokpesi in his polling unit, his Ward and his local government. That reassures that the ruthless deployment of media machinery is not enough to distort or the will of Edo people to determine their choice.
“In Okada, the political family that has boasted that they would continue to govern this state and even compelled the state to adopt them as the queen of England whose birthday must be celebrated. In Okada, the APC was the preferred party by the people than that family in Okada.
“There is something unique in the way things have turned out. In Esan land, the senatorial zone of the PDP godfather, we won two out of the five local governments. We gave him a fight that he managed to escape. He used the factor of his age to play on the emotion of the people. It is a victory for the people of the state. Edo people are now proud they can now determine who rules them and no one godfather can choose a leader for them. When you look at the propaganda, you will think we had fallen for the lion.” [myad]
The Supreme Court has clarified its earlier ruling in which it upheld the election of Yahaya Bello as Governor of Kogi State. It said that neither James Faleke, who was running mate to the late Abubakar Audu in the All Progressives Congress (APC),) nor Idris Wada, who was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was qualified to be made governor.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the reasons for the lead judgment in the appeal by Faleke, said that the APC was right in substituting the late Audu with Bello. She added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also in order to allow the substitution and allowing Bello to inherit the votes scored by the Audu/Faleke joint ticket in the November 21 election.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said that since it is the party that contests elections, with candidates as agents, it has power to substitute a deceased candidate once it is done within the law.
She held that Faleke was not qualified to be made a replacement for the deceased candidate because he did not obtain nomination form and did not participate in the primary election.
Justic Kekere-Ekun said since there was no return and declaration made by INEC in respect of November 21 election, it was wrong to conclude that the Audu/Faleke ticket had won the election before the December 5 supplementary election.
She said that before the sudden death of Audu, after the November 21 governorship election, INEC had already declared the election inconclusive and that since the election was not completed and the final result issued by INEC, Faleke, as a running mate,could not seek to inherit victory in the election.
In upholding the substitution Audu with Bello, the court said, in the face of the law, Bello was the appropriate substitute having obtained nomination form, taken part in the primary election and came second, as against Faleke who did not meet that condition.
The court further said that by virtue of Section 221 of the Constitution, Bello, having become candidate of APC, and legally sponsored by the party, he was qualified to claim the 240,867 votes earned by the Audu/Faleke ticket on behalf of the party in the November 21 election.
The court further held that by virtue of the provision of Section 221, political parties canvass for votes and are voted for. It added that it was only the candidates duly sponsored by political parties that can lay claim to the votes earned by the party.
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who read the reasons in the lead judgment in the appeal by Wada, said the ex-governor failed to prove his allegation that the election was held in violation of the Electoral Act.
He also upheld the choice of Bello as a replacement for Audu as against Faleke.
“While Section 36(1) of the Electoral Act (EA) made provision for what should be done in the event of the death of a nominated candidate after the delivery of nomination paper, but before the commencement of the poll, neither the EA (2010) nor the Constitution provided for what to do in the event of the death of a candidate after the commencement of the poll as in the case at hand.
“The death of the original candidate of the 2nd respondent (APC) after the commencement of the poll in November 21st election in Kogi State left a yawning gap in the nation’s electoral process without any provision for filling the gap.
“In the situation such as this, it amounts to abdication of duty for the electoral umpire and the tribunal and court to fold their hands and bemoan the fact that the Legislature failed to do the impossible – providing for all exigencies both in the present and the future in their legislative duties.
“The 2nd respondent and INEC rightly resorted to substitution of the deceased candidate with the 1st respondent (Bello). I think that the decision of this court in Amaechi v. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (pt. 1080) 227 at 296 encompasses the situation created by the death of the 2nd respondent’s candidate. The decision finds support in Section 221 of the Constitution.
“A political party is an abstraction. It has to canvass for votes through its members as agents, in the same way it contests, wins or loses elections through a candidate it nominates, who acts as its agent.
“There is no provision for independent candidates. The candidate nominated to contest at an election by his party acts as an agent of his party. He is, as it were, an agent of a disclosed principal and as far as third parties are involved, benefits and liabilities accruing to the candidate (as agent) belong to his party (the disclosed principal.
“If an agent (candidate) of the party dies, or withdraws from the contest, the political party can substitute the dead candidate or the candidate, who withdraw from the election with another candidate (agent) subject to the provisions of the Act. There is continuity as the new candidate starts and continues from where the previous candidate stopped. ” the court said.
In resolving the question whether or not Bello contested the election without a running mate, the court held that it could not be said that he ran without a running mate as required under the law.
“Now if the court below (Court of Appeal) did not pronounce on the appellant’s contention that Hon. Faleke was not adopted as the running mate of the 1st respondent, it is because the matter had become academic as the issue of nomination of running mate is not within the jurisdiction of the tribunal and ipso facto, the court below cannot pronounce on it.
“But that notwithstanding, did Hon. Faleke withdraw his nomination in accordance with Section 35 of the Act? The answer is in the negative for the simple reason that the purported withdrawal was wrongly addressed to the 3rd respondent (INEC) and not to the political party that nominated him.
“For all intents and purposes, he remained the running mate to the 1st respondent at all material times,” the court said. [myad]
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its economic and security challenges under the incorruptible leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He spoke today, Friday, in Abuja at an Islamic programme organized by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary.
The Sultan said that the reality of today was glaring in the economic sabotage and restiveness in some parts of the South as well as armed robbery and kidnapping in other parts of the country. “As people of faith, it is our unshakeable belief that Nigeria will certainly overcome the problems facing it if we do the needful.
“We have every reason to be hopeful that the current work being done by the leadership of this country, under the incorruptible President Buhari, will rescue the country.
“In spite of the difficulties that the country may be going through, one thing is gratifying; our country is blessed with a leadership that command the respect of the international community based on high ethical principles”
He asked Nigerians to remain committed to the Nigerian nation and be confident in the ability of elected leaders to sail the country through its turbulent times.
The sultan also appealed to Nigerians to work for the greatness of the country and pray for its development, saying: “the need of the day is for us to work and pray. It is axiomatic that work without prayer is half-empty and prayers without work is half-full.
“It is by combining the two that we are going to succeed as a nation united under God, the Almighty Allah.”
The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, commended President Buhari for waging the war against corruption in the country.
Adedimeji said that the current economic recession facing the country is as a result of moral crisis which has eaten deep into the fabric of the society.
He called on Nigerians to embrace the “Change Begins With Me’’ campaign of the Federal Government.
“Allah will not change the condition of people until they change what is in them.”
Meanwhile, a Special Independence Anniversary Jumma’at Prayer was observed at the Abuja National Mosque.
Worshippers prayed to Allah to enhance peace, harmony and bring an end to economic recession facing the nation.
The prayer was led by the Deputy Chief Imam of the national mosque and Professor Taofeeq Abdulazeez of University of Abuja.
The prayer was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Service Chiefs, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister of State Environment, Alhaji Usman Jibrin.
Others are the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Alhaji Raji Fashola, Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Adamu Sule, Minister of Communication Technology, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello among others. [myad]
The Federal Government has declared October 3 as Public Holiday to mark Nigeria’s 56th Independence Anniversary. This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.
He said that the Minister of Interior, retired Lt-General Abdulrahman Dambazau, assured Nigerians at home and abroad that Government is working assiduously to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges.
“The Minister enjoins all Nigerians to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his determination to build a strong, virile and united country in line with the dream of the country’s founding fathers, “he said. [myad]
Three top judges, including the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike, are facing possible sack over alleged bribe taking and other official misconduct leveled against them by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The NJC has recommended their compulsory retirement and the dismissal of a third; Justice Kabiru M. Auta of the High Court of Justice, Kano State with immediate effect -for official misconduct. Auta is also recommended to be handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 1, Kano State, for prosecution.
They are to proceed on suspension immediately pending the acceptance of the NJC recommendations by President Mohammadu Buhari, in the case of Justice Tsamiya, Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in the case of Justice Umezulike and Kano Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the case of Justice Auta.
The acting Director of Information to the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, in a statement today, Friday, said that Tsamiya abused his office by accepting bribe in respect of a 2015 election case pending before an appeal panel in which he was a member.
The council indicted Umezulike for conducting himself in a manner that conflicted with his position as a judicial officer, while Auta is said to have collected money from a contractor, promising to facilitate the award of a contract to him. But he failed to deliver on his promise.
Oye said the decision was reached at the last NJC meeting held on September 29, 2016.
He said: “Hon. Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to President Muhammadu Buhari, pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the Council in the petition written by Nnamdi Iro Oji against him and Hon. Justices Husseini Muktar, F. O. Akinbami and J. Y. Tukur, all Justices of Court of Appeal who sat on Election Appeal panel in the Owerri division of the court during the 2015 general elections.
“The petition contains the following allegations, among others:- Corruption, malice and vindictiveness; and giving perverse and conflicting decisions on the same issue in similar matters in appeal CA/OW/EPT/SN/50/2015: Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex vs. Hon. Mao Onuabunwa & Anor;CA/OW/EPT/SN/47/2015; Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu & Anor vs Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa & Ors; and CA/OW/EPT/HR/61/2015: Nnamdi Iro Oji Vs Nkole Uko Ndukwe & 16 Ors.” [myad]
Wife of the Central Bank Governor, Mrs. Margaret Emefiele has been reportedly kidnapped. Reports said she was kidnapped by unknown gunmen today, Friday along the Benin-Agbor Road. Details later. [myad]
Reading commentaries on Independence Day amuses me a lot especially considering our deliberate lies on our revered independence leaders. We painted rosy pictures of founding fathers who painstakingly laboured and delivered a united peaceful and harmonious federation.
In 1960, leaders joyously received mantle of leadership without intrigues, infighting and justice delivered. In fact, ethnic politics, corruption, skewed federalism, controversial census and all sorts of ills now pervasive today were non-existent.
So from 1960 to 1966,a perfect federation was in operation where all Nigerians acted as one and under which a vibrant young nation was demonstrating best examples to the rest of Africa. Leaders at independence ate, slept and adored a united federation with shared common destiny.
That was the utopia we perpetuated even in the face of denial by history, lying to our children and demonizing the successor generation. A nation that fails to diligently study history or accords history prime place cannot but be plunge into an ocean of ignorance, deceit and falsehood even about basic facts of her evolution. Even in 2016, we still continue our lies and misrepresentation of our independence leaders.
Our leaders at independence were great patriots, well grounded within their respective skills and capacities . They were political war leaders who had to fight from ethnic turfs and who struggled on all fronts to give realities to their people’s driven agenda. Men of timber and deliver they were,their greatness cannot be disputed as they were frontline players in the making of Nigeria no matter how imperfect it was.
Late sage, Obafemi Awolowo,the erudite scholar-politician of immeasurable intellect and contributions to national and regional politics. The Great Zik of Africa, Dr Nnmdi Azikwe,a flamboyant cross border politician, an astute nationalist and a great leader for a controversial, expansive united Nigeria without ethnic map. Sir Abubabakar Tafawa Balewa, a perfect English gentleman as described by some British leaders and a clean incorruptible independence prime minister. Former premier of old Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto, an undiluted devotee to the greatness and well being of his people, a traditional ruler ,an Islamic scholar and a greatly loved leader of his people.
As 1959 approached then, how did these leaders acted? What was the pre-independence electoral campaign like? The records are well preserved in our libraries-it was bitter political war and battles that laid a negatively strong ground for many ills that still dogged the nation till date.The 1959 election was fought by political generals who appeared to be representing separate countries.
And yes, by 1959 ,Nigeria was still a paper nomenclature comprising of three countries namely North, west and eastern regions. Fact was that from 1914 to 1959, the so called united Nigeria was never united.
1959 to 1960 was the time the new nation was to be delivered in reality. That independence election was to lay the foundation for the birth of the new baby. Unfortunately, the conception was fraught with still birth even though the British induced the birth of a defective baby whose jaundice has refused to heal since.
Why are commentators repeatedly lying about events preceding our independence in 1960?Why are we not coming clean of the bitterness of post -1959 election which manifested openly even on the day of independence ? Why are we lying that the nation was truly united as at the time the British lowered the union Jack flag?
Our erudite scholars have documented the realities of what was handed over to Independence leaders, a fractured nation with deep level of distrust among leaders .Nigeria was borne out of intrigues and back stabbing among leaders, leading to an incohesive leadership and consequent implosions six years later. Ours was a nation deliberately modeled by the British to be incohesive, conflicting and divisive through connivance with some local leaders.
At independence, the Igbos aligned with the North, leaving the West in the opposition. The North ruling under the party called Northern People’s Congress later supported the implosion of the opposition Action Group, generating so much heat from 1964 to 1965.Igbos disengaged from the alliance to later embraced another alliance with the Yorubas under United Grand Alliance (UPGA) while the North aligned with breakaway factions from East and West to form the New Nigeria Alliance. The bitter fact is at independence Nigeria was as fractured as it is today.
From 1960 to 1966,it was a tale of bitterness ,political corruption, selfish deployment of state power ,minority oppression, political persecutions ,intolerance of opposition, corruption among leaders among others. The foundation built on intrigues and ethnic permutations only gave rise to a nation reeling from ethnic politics, imperfect federalism, stunted growth and retrogressive genotype. Is that why we don’t want history in our school curriculum?
Many scholars have equally documented evidence that proved that the pre-and post- independence embedded ills in national and regional structures watered and prepared the ground for the unfortunate first coup, counter coup and the three years civil war of 1967 to 1970.Where is the utopia of an Eldorado First Republic that we so annually eulogize?
There are surviving actors of the independence era and the troubled first republic across the states. Those surviving elders know the fact; they know the faulty foundations they helped foisted or they were forced to be foisted on the new nation which may not solely be their fault. We need to come clean and accept that 56 years after, we are still unable to correct first, the errors of 1914 and more seriously heal the injuries of 1959-60s.
Ler me assert that Nigeria’s continued survival despite her “down syndrome” is due to just one major bloc of power brokers -the military political elite. When Independence leaders failed to heal the political tuberculosis of 59s-60s,the tumbling from first to second coups to the civil war produced a strange national dynamics in leadership evolution. A new set of leaders acting like a brotherhood surfaced.
From 1975 to date, the military elite successfully subjugated the remnants of Independence political elite, creating a new league of leaders still ruling till date. Records showed that all those military leaders of the civil war and specifically those who masterminded directly or indirectly the 1975 coup are still subsisting leaders of Nigeria till date. If they did not occupy office, their cronies play the proxy game.
So the big question is if Independence elite had issues as to the entity created by them or bequeathed for them, has the military elite fair better? That is contentious and a discourse for another day.
But for now, let us come clean with our history -there was never a time we have gotten it right as a nation.
*Olawale Rasheed , a policy analyst, is the CEO of Sahel Media Group.
Medical Director of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Kaduna, Dr. T. L Sheikh has cautioned against treating drug addicts as criminals. He said that drug addicts are actually sick and need medical attention rather than being clamped in detention. Dr. Sheikh was one of the resource persons that delivered technical papers today, Thursday in Abuja, at a Seminar on Drug Indiscipline that was organized by the Blue Print Newspaper, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health. The Neuro Psychiatric expert made it clear that substance abuse in itself cannot be regarded as a crime, but that its bye-product which include the real criminal activities, is what makes the difference. According to him, conventional drugs are not only the ones that are often abused, saying that substances such as common coffee, gum, petrol, tobacco, alcohol are at one time or the other abused by people without knowing it. “Substances, including drugs would give those who consume them or abuse them false sense of what they are not. That is why they need to be taken to hospitals to attention instead of treating them as criminals.” He lamented that Nigeria has gradually graduated from being a transit country to consumption nation in regard to all types of dangerous drugs, including narcotics. Dr. Sheikh appealed to the government and media organizations to rise up and wage serious war against drug abuse before it threw the country into unimaginable human resource crisis. Declaring the one-day Seminar open, the minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole assured that the federal government is making efforts at all levels to promote rational use of drugs through the implementation of various strategies identified in the National Drug Policy for ensuring national drug use. “These include publication and review of Essential Medicines List, National Standard Treatment Guidelines, Strengthening of regulatory bodies that are involved in the promotion and use of medicines in the country. Federal Ministry of Health is currently developing the National Prescription Policy which will ensure appropriate prescribing and dispensing that are vital to rational use of medicines.” Professor Adewole also assured that his ministry is addressing the uncoordinated drug distribution system in Nigeria by developing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines which is envisaged to eliminate fake, substandard, spurious ans unwholesome drugs in Nigeria. The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Print Newspaper, Alhaji Mohammed Idris promised to institutionalize the Seminar as an annual event as a way of providing a platform for enlightenment of the public. “This is one of the social responsibilities as a media which we are going to continue with, not for money making.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has recalled how former President and Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, who died yesterday, built a modern Israeli state In a condolence message to the government and people of the State of Israel, said that the visionary leadership of the two-term Prime Minister and President of Israel will continue to resonate in the long search for peace in the region. The Nigerian leader also acknowledged Prese’s voice of wisdom and unparalleled experience of diplomacy in the Middle East. Buhari said that as a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 alongside Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat, the statesmanship and patriotism displayed by Peres in signing the Oslo Accord, the subsequent treaties for a two-state solution, was most quintessential, and should be followed through so that the younger generations will inherit peace and harmony. The President who took a look at the towering national and global records of the late Israeli statesman, said that Peres served firmly, faithfully and dutifully in building a modern Israeli state. “And also, he rose to the occasion when the world desperately needed a heart of love, magnanimity and understanding to heal the wounds of hostility in the region.” Buhari therefore aligned with the global community and world leaders to mourn ex President Peres, saying: “I join the world in celebrating the warm memory of gentleness, goodness and kindness that Peres leaves behind for other leaders to emulate in serving their country and working for humanity.” Buhari prayed to God to grant Peres eternal rest and to comfort members of his family. [myad]
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that it would be a misnomer and an act of madness if what he and President Muhammadu Buhari are in government for is to make money. “It is madness for anybody in our position to be looking for money. God put people in a position of authority for them to be able to do something for their people. “I think if any Nigerian gets the chance to be president of the country, there is nothing he/she is looking for anymore except that while there, you improve the lot of the people.” The Vice President spoke today, Thursday when he received a delegation of Christian Ministers Welfare Initiative also known as the Pastors’ Forum, Taraba State, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Osinbajo sworn that President Buhari’s dream is to make sure Nigeria is great again and that he has no other objective other than seeing this dream come true. “This morning, I had a meeting with the President and he repeated to me twice, he said ‘at my age there is only one thing I am looking for, I want to see a great Nigeria.’ He has no other objective and I feel very inspired by that,” Prof Osinbajo stated. Linking the economic situation to corruption and official graft, the Vice President said: “no economy can tolerate the level of corruption seen in Nigeria without the consequence. Nigerian lives were being lost and yet people cannot account for $15 billion meant for purchase of security equipment to fight the insurgents.” The Vice President also explained how the factor of vandalisation of oil installations is contributory to the recession, saying that Nigeria has lost several millions of barrels of crude oil due to the activities of the militants in the Niger Delta. According to him, by early 2016 the country was producing 5,000MW of power for the first time, but by February 2016 the Focados terminal was destroyed by militants and 40 per cent of the gas used to fire the power plants were lost and the country was down to 2,500MW of power. Professor Osinbajo said that at the time the militants started blowing up oil and gas installations, the amnesty stipend were still being paid. “Nothing changed, the only reason is that we are investigating people who have stolen money.” He said that the country is losing one million barrels of oil a day and 60percent of the country’s revenues, adding that there is nowhere such amount of revenue is lost without going into some economic challenge like a recession. While expressing optimism that the country will come out of the recession, the Vice President said: “there is no question at all, God has a reason for bringing us in at this time and God helping us we will see a change in this country.” Vice President Osinbajo asked the Church and all religious leaders to stand up against corruption, stressing that if this government is doing the right thing by fighting corruption, the Church should support it. Earlier, the Chairman of the delegation, Rev, Godwin Nyiekule said that the delegation was in the State House to pledge their support to the Buhari Administration for its forthrightness and fight against corruption. “We are happy with the government for the war against corruption crusade,” he said. Rev Nyiekule said that the Christian Ministers Welfare Initiative is a non-partisan group but supports good persons who want to participate in government, adding that the federal government should come to the assistance of those churches whose premises are being used as IDP camps. [myad]
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Medical Director of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Kaduna, Dr. T. L Sheikh has cautioned against treating drug addicts as criminals. He said that drug addicts are actually sick and need medical attention rather than being clamped in detention.
President Muhammadu Buhari has recalled how former President and Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, who died yesterday, built a modern Israeli state
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that it would be a misnomer and an act of madness if what he and President Muhammadu Buhari are in government for is to make money.
Nigeria At 56: Our Lies Against Independence Leaders, By Olawale Rasheed
Reading commentaries on Independence Day amuses me a lot especially considering our deliberate lies on our revered independence leaders. We painted rosy pictures of founding fathers who painstakingly laboured and delivered a united peaceful and harmonious federation.
In 1960, leaders joyously received mantle of leadership without intrigues, infighting and justice delivered. In fact, ethnic politics, corruption, skewed federalism, controversial census and all sorts of ills now pervasive today were non-existent.
So from 1960 to 1966,a perfect federation was in operation where all Nigerians acted as one and under which a vibrant young nation was demonstrating best examples to the rest of Africa. Leaders at independence ate, slept and adored a united federation with shared common destiny.
That was the utopia we perpetuated even in the face of denial by history, lying to our children and demonizing the successor generation. A nation that fails to diligently study history or accords history prime place cannot but be plunge into an ocean of ignorance, deceit and falsehood even about basic facts of her evolution. Even in 2016, we still continue our lies and misrepresentation of our independence leaders.
Our leaders at independence were great patriots, well grounded within their respective skills and capacities . They were political war leaders who had to fight from ethnic turfs and who struggled on all fronts to give realities to their people’s driven agenda. Men of timber and deliver they were,their greatness cannot be disputed as they were frontline players in the making of Nigeria no matter how imperfect it was.
Late sage, Obafemi Awolowo,the erudite scholar-politician of immeasurable intellect and contributions to national and regional politics. The Great Zik of Africa, Dr Nnmdi Azikwe,a flamboyant cross border politician, an astute nationalist and a great leader for a controversial, expansive united Nigeria without ethnic map. Sir Abubabakar Tafawa Balewa, a perfect English gentleman as described by some British leaders and a clean incorruptible independence prime minister. Former premier of old Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna Sokoto, an undiluted devotee to the greatness and well being of his people, a traditional ruler ,an Islamic scholar and a greatly loved leader of his people.
As 1959 approached then, how did these leaders acted? What was the pre-independence electoral campaign like? The records are well preserved in our libraries-it was bitter political war and battles that laid a negatively strong ground for many ills that still dogged the nation till date.The 1959 election was fought by political generals who appeared to be representing separate countries.
And yes, by 1959 ,Nigeria was still a paper nomenclature comprising of three countries namely North, west and eastern regions. Fact was that from 1914 to 1959, the so called united Nigeria was never united.
1959 to 1960 was the time the new nation was to be delivered in reality. That independence election was to lay the foundation for the birth of the new baby. Unfortunately, the conception was fraught with still birth even though the British induced the birth of a defective baby whose jaundice has refused to heal since.
Why are commentators repeatedly lying about events preceding our independence in 1960?Why are we not coming clean of the bitterness of post -1959 election which manifested openly even on the day of independence ? Why are we lying that the nation was truly united as at the time the British lowered the union Jack flag?
Our erudite scholars have documented the realities of what was handed over to Independence leaders, a fractured nation with deep level of distrust among leaders .Nigeria was borne out of intrigues and back stabbing among leaders, leading to an incohesive leadership and consequent implosions six years later. Ours was a nation deliberately modeled by the British to be incohesive, conflicting and divisive through connivance with some local leaders.
At independence, the Igbos aligned with the North, leaving the West in the opposition. The North ruling under the party called Northern People’s Congress later supported the implosion of the opposition Action Group, generating so much heat from 1964 to 1965.Igbos disengaged from the alliance to later embraced another alliance with the Yorubas under United Grand Alliance (UPGA) while the North aligned with breakaway factions from East and West to form the New Nigeria Alliance. The bitter fact is at independence Nigeria was as fractured as it is today.
From 1960 to 1966,it was a tale of bitterness ,political corruption, selfish deployment of state power ,minority oppression, political persecutions ,intolerance of opposition, corruption among leaders among others. The foundation built on intrigues and ethnic permutations only gave rise to a nation reeling from ethnic politics, imperfect federalism, stunted growth and retrogressive genotype. Is that why we don’t want history in our school curriculum?
Many scholars have equally documented evidence that proved that the pre-and post- independence embedded ills in national and regional structures watered and prepared the ground for the unfortunate first coup, counter coup and the three years civil war of 1967 to 1970.Where is the utopia of an Eldorado First Republic that we so annually eulogize?
There are surviving actors of the independence era and the troubled first republic across the states. Those surviving elders know the fact; they know the faulty foundations they helped foisted or they were forced to be foisted on the new nation which may not solely be their fault. We need to come clean and accept that 56 years after, we are still unable to correct first, the errors of 1914 and more seriously heal the injuries of 1959-60s.
Ler me assert that Nigeria’s continued survival despite her “down syndrome” is due to just one major bloc of power brokers -the military political elite. When Independence leaders failed to heal the political tuberculosis of 59s-60s,the tumbling from first to second coups to the civil war produced a strange national dynamics in leadership evolution. A new set of leaders acting like a brotherhood surfaced.
From 1975 to date, the military elite successfully subjugated the remnants of Independence political elite, creating a new league of leaders still ruling till date. Records showed that all those military leaders of the civil war and specifically those who masterminded directly or indirectly the 1975 coup are still subsisting leaders of Nigeria till date. If they did not occupy office, their cronies play the proxy game.
So the big question is if Independence elite had issues as to the entity created by them or bequeathed for them, has the military elite fair better? That is contentious and a discourse for another day.
But for now, let us come clean with our history -there was never a time we have gotten it right as a nation.
*Olawale Rasheed , a policy analyst, is the CEO of Sahel Media Group.
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