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Obasanjo's Dilemma
By
Friday Ndubuisi
culled from GUARDIAN, May 23,
2006
President Obasanjo without
apparent pressure graciously took his exit from the seat of power in 1979.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari an amiable gentleman, who was not new in Nigerian
politics, took the mantle of leadership from him. It was a glorious dawn for
Nigeria. Many who had been yearning for democracy heaved a sigh of relief.
It was really an anxious period, with the atmosphere charged with hope and
expectation. There was every reason for high hope. The Shagari
administration inherited a robust economy and a stable society. The
educational, health and infrastructural facilities were in working
condition: NEPA was reliable.
I remember with nostalgia our
days at the University of Lagos. Everything was at our beck and call.
Meal tickets were almost free. Students studying education courses were
given a lot of incentives, which included free meal tickets. Some of us
who came from 'tight-fisted' states enjoyed not only bursary awards but
had the luxury of vacation jobs. Our universities then were respected
internationally. It was the era when academics enjoyed the respect of
the community they served. There was no brain-drain, no incessant
strikes. Nigerians that were anxious to travel abroad for academic
pursuit did so mostly for postgraduate programmes. When we were in the
NYSC camp in 1983 we interacted with Nigerians who willingly came down
to serve their fatherland after long sojourn in Europe and America.
In the early 80s, few
years after we ushered in Shagari and his team with fanfare, it took
a few more years for hope to fizzle out. Since then, Nigeria has
been degenerating from one social, political and economic quagmire
to the other. Nigerians are called names even when there is
sometimes no reason for such name calling. We became a 'pariah'
excluded from the comity of nations. The rot of the early 80s did
not spare any sector of our national life: the health sector, the
educational system, our roads, the transport system. All known
government parastatals became liabilities and conduct conduit pipes
for systematic siphoning of our collective national resources.
Everything negative
was witnessed in all sectors of our national life. In this
confusion our social morals and values crashed. We got to the
stage where nothing else made meaning other than money. It was
in this era that we witnessed 'robbers' in suit popularly called
"Whiz kid Bankers". Folks with no visible means of livelihood
turned into millionaires, with nobody asking questions. All
these, and the suffering in the land over the years were
creation of poor and purposeless leadership, other reasons,
including economic recession is secondary. It was in the midst
of this confusion that the current regime emerged. Have we now
seen the light? That is a great question.
It is stating the
obvious that President Obasanjo came into power with a
mindset. Having watched what he laboured for being
squandered recklessly, he will shudder this time around, so
as not to make the same mistake. On a scorecard what does
this administration deserve? Politically, nothing much has
been achieved. The violence, bitterness and acrimony that
were associated with out past political experience still
remain. We are, to face the fact, not growing politically.
The principles of rule of law and respect for the will of
the electorate are still absent. The experience in Anambra
politics, the crisis in Oyo state are all indications of
unhealthy political environment. We have witnessed in the
last seven years, the enthronement of not only mediocrity in
politics but the endorsement of a culture of violence and
disregard for due process of law.
The Judiciary
which is expected to be vibrant in an emerging democracy
has not been allowed to operate independently. The
brazen disobedience of court orders and rulings is
definitely not in consonant with democracy and civilised
society. On the economic front this administration has
made a lot of impact. With the exit from the Paris Club
debt burden, the coast is now clear for investment and
economic breakthrough. The privatisation programme has
been quite remarkable. The BPE has not done badly at
all, in spite of the friction and suspicion that have
trailed some of its dealings.
The GSM
project is quite an ambitious and commendable
project. What is left is to localise its technology
and raw materials. It is surprising however that the
energy sector is yet to respond to all the efforts
and resources being expended on it. Our quest for
industrialisation and technological advancement
remain amputated until this sector is properly
handled. What of this monster - unemployment? A
thriving economy cannot have swarm of unemployed and
able-bodied youths all over the place without
future. This is a serious problem that calls for
attention. To harp on self-employment without any
assistance from the state is clearly self-deception.
The advanced nations do not only have the statistics
of their unemployed, they do everything possible to
keep the figure down.
The
army of unemployed youths has worsened the
security situation in the land. The uncommon
courage and disregard for human lives that go
with violent crimes should be a source of worry
for a caring government. It is crystal clear
that the police force is yet to be sufficiently
equipped to fight crime. This is a minus for a
government that is on investment drive. On
corruption there are visible signs of action.
Personalities that hitherto would not have had
their names mentioned are now victims. It is
commendable that at least there is, for the
first time in our history, a conscious effort to
face this monster squarely and headlong. The
idea that there might be some sacred cow is not
healthy, it is hoped that this fight will spare
no one.
The situation on ground definitely indicates
a shift from the era of profligacy. This is
not a regime of waste. But does this call
for tenure extension? President Obasanjo has
publicly admitted that his economic miracle
is a team work. He (the president) could
genuinely be worried that the era of the
termites might be back once he is out of the
centre stage. But since the president is a
team player, is there any basis for this
fear?
I believe the president must have a
trusted ally that can go on with the
reform he started with. What we
desperately need is a workable and
irreversible structure that will enhance
economic prosperity, engender healthy
political environment, promote rich
cultural and ethical values. If our fate
and future are tied to individuals and
personalities then we are doomed.
*Dr. Ndubuisi teaches
philosophy at the University of
Lagos.
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