Discussing Democracy...

By

Uwem Inyang

Bros, you’ve been quiet for a while. Harry Marshall assassinated I no hear
from you. OBJ call your people lazy, I nefer hear from you. All dey well so?

“Dude, I’ve just been thinking”…

Wetin you dey think about sef, abi na the oil for your backyard or na the
oil wey dey for Iraq where dem Americans want control?

“You don come again. Why I co dey think about oil for my place or Iraq? I am
not that oil crazy neither am I war fanatical. I just have my views on these
things, which I am entitled to. But to be honest, I have been thinking of
our so-called DEMOCRACY. It looks bleak and dangerously unidirectional. The
squabbles simply overwhelm the solutions or any sane democratic organism.
The hopeless are becoming more hopeless, while the looters are consolidating
on their loot at any expense. I find this very demoralising and frustrating
especially as the April 19 presidential elections et al approaches”.

Abeg, leave this your big grammar for your briefcase o jare! Democracy takes
a while in an environment like ours after all; Rome was not built in two
days.

“Na people like you dey follow increase this ignorance Baba Jimmy”… So if e
been take American 200 years to fully democratise, must it take us 400 years
or more? Nigerians deserve much better than this and we all know this except
for those sycophants and enemies of progress”.

Well, I understand your points but Nigerians are too impatient to start
with. Everything has fire-brigade expectancy even when they are eating. We
have to crawl before we walk my brother. Don’t let your Westernisation lead
you into forgetting your root ands its germinating problems. There will
always be a difference between Lagos and London…

“Jimmy, I am not asking for much and my name is not Oliver Twist. My
thinking really involves Accountability, Good Governance and National
Security. Or is it a crime to ask for transparency from these so-called
democrats? See what happened to former Auditor-General, Vincent Azie? Does
that give you confidence in the anti-corrupt crusade? Do the gangsters in
Delta, Kwarra and Cross River States give you any joy as per the coming
elections? I seriously doubt it will unless you are firm believer in blind
obedience”

OK! Mr.Critic, I hear you… But is OBJ to blame for the war of attrition in
those states? Is he to blame for the unending riots in the Niger Delta? Is
OBJ not trying? Bros, I know you are obviously not an unintelligent fellow
but please don’t mix it with sentimental reasoning. These problems are
beyond him.

“ I agree, we cannot hold him responsible for all things but my name is
Patriotic Patriot and not Critical Charlie. He is not to blame for Mafioso
in our politics today. He is also not our messiah and will never be. But why
must he tell people during a campaign tour whilst soliciting for votes that
they are lazy? Why has he not signed the onshore/offshore oil bill as
sanctioned by the house? Why was Vincent Azie removed for doing his job on
the lame excuse that he bypassed official protocol?”

I think there might be a lot that we are not aware of. Uncle Sege, na
soldier for agbada uniform. He will not change on this but he deserves some
concession. As per the oil bill brouhaha, why you nefer ask your governors
wetin dem don carry dey money do sef?

“Baba, I equally shared some of your thoughts but once bitten, twice shy
abi? As for the Governors and their cronies, God knows I have been giving
them a piece of my heart especially Governor Attah of Akwa Ibom State. I
publicly condemned the award given to him by your friend, Kayode Soyinka
regarding Good Governance and the entire abracadabra. I have asked questions
as to where the almost 70billion naira was used in under 3 years and got no
answers. In fact, one of his beneficiaries whom I always classify as Tom and
Jerry based in USA engaged in character assassination and slander against my
person all for his master’s purpose. To be honest, I would so much love
another to take their place even through a palace coup because they have all
failed woefully especially when you consider the fact that workers salaries
are owed for months!”

I believe you as you always say your mind, no matter who is involved. But
how do you want our democracy to be run in that abnormal society?

“I beg to disagree Jimmy, Nigerians are not abnormal but their mentality
makes them appear so. My Papa and Mama cannot be abnormal. Reframe that
question again Sir!

OK ooooooo! In your deepest thoughts as your hair don almost fall off finish
sef, what kind of democracy do you want or expect to see?

I want to see democracy of vision, conscience, transparency and vitality.
People should recognise why they are voting and the elected should
understand and accept why they were elected. I would to see democracy of
question and answer sessions between the electorate and the elected. I want
to see democracy of government spending money to educate people at all
levels on the basics, benefits and rewards of proper governance. I want to
see democracy of giving the basic amenities like light, water, food,
shelter, medical care, transportation, education and security topmost
priority. Democracy of the mind and not of might. Democracy of equity,
equality and justice. This and many more are what I want to see…

“Hmmmmmmmm, well said sha. I hope our people are listening to this. So what
are your views about the war in Iraq then?
 

“Well, we are learning geographically if nothing else. I have learnt in the
last two weeks the names of Um Qasr, Nassariya, Basra, Kirkuk, Al Faw
amongst others. Very interesting names…”

(Laughter!) You never cease to amaze me Uwem. Goodness gracious! From all
the anti-protest, anger and pain, this is what you can say? Come on; say
something better my good friend.

“I will say something but don’t crucify me for this I beg you. I am in
support of the war simple. I feel bad when I see people die but the monster
called Saddam could have avoided this. I mean since 1962, he has been ruling
forcefully. Even before I was born sef. What a joke! Why is he amassing
those weapons of mass destruction biological, chemical and diabolical? He
surely has a plan. Why has he refused to disarm them since 1991, again he
has a master plan. Why are France and Russia against it, because they have
vested interest even if the Iraqis die in thousands daily, they are just not
bothered. They need and want the money. What is wrong with USA being the
world’s police? Are all fingers equal? Don’t they have one of the most
benevolent immigration policies in the world until 9/11? Are they not one of
the biggest AID donors in the world today? Listen, I do not share that
popular anti-Americanism state of mind. Love them or hate them, they are the
richest and most powerful country in the world”.

So does that give them the impetus to defy the UN and world opinion and bomb
Iraq with reckless abandon?

“What have the UN done in Iraq and other oppressed countries? What does
Charter 1441 say? The UN at times to me is a joke or chess game where
countries blow hot and cold air when it favours them. Was it not the same UN
that Saddam dribbled for 12 years and eventually drove out the weapon
inspectors before the last time they were there? Where was UN when Saddam
killed 5,000 Kurds with his weapons of mass destruction?”

But so many innocent civilians are dying by mis-guided missiles. The country
is already impoverished. Must USA worsen the before now pitiable country?
Wouldn’t this increase global terrorism?

“Baba Jimmy, tell me any war where there are no civilian casualties and I
will show one car that can never have an accident. Saddam Hussein has
NOTHING to better the lives of his people. He has coerced them and repressed
them beyond rebellion. This is awful as a replica of what Robert Mugabe is
doing presently. He is a regional threat as well as a global threat to peace
and stability. When a madman starts loading his garden and bedroom with
guns, you can only fear for the worst abi? You still have not answered my
question of the UN and their real and imaginary obligations”

Anyway, let’s return to Nigeria. Who do you think would win the coming
presidential elections or do I say who would you want to win it?

“If I tell you say I know who co win am, then I be prophet of doom. Maybe,
Primate Olabayo or even Prophetess “Na me fine pass” can help you on this.
All I know is that there will be a lot of rigging with the able assistance
of the incumbents. Including the South-South Governors who chant “Oil Today,
Incumbency Forever” and then go back Aso Rock and beg for mercy. I would
suggest a positive change of baton from top to bottom. But the major battle
will be between OBJ and Buhari. Incumbency will be a great factor but
indecency will mar the whole show. Religious bigotry, political insanity and
utter blind desperation as well will make it look like a charade. It is a
bit difficult to predict Ufan”

In any case, let’s pray for the best my fellow Nigerian. E co better
someday.

“That one na poor man prayer abi? We have to effect that change and stop
putting all on God. Remember what the Deputy Governor of AKS said sometime
ago? OK, let me remind you verbatim. He said and I quote ‘Seek ye first the
resource control and all other things will be added onto you’ Is that Good
Governance or Blasphemy?”
 

(Laughs again!) OK ooooooo! One day we shall be free…

“ You mean the long walk to freedom by Papa Nelson Mandela? Nevermind,
thanks for arousing my intellect, I always like discussing issues with you”

Thanks too! At times, you can be a delight but sometimes I think you could
be more liberal. Let’s hope for the best for our dear native land amidst all
drama.

“You do well but I would not answer the name Liberal like some people in
Niger Delta answer the name, Corporal even when they dread visiting the Army
Barracks. Make we go drink some bottles of Arthur Guinness as my throat don
begin dry for this UK summer where man no fit understand sef”

General laughter and conversation ends…

Uwem Inyang
London

April 2003