Generation power shift, a self-serving venture?
by
The Nigerian polity has in the past been largely polarised along ethnic, religious, regional and sectional lines, such division is less on ideological groupings, although one can sometimes read of aggregations on progressive or conservative basis, but this latter separation is not a cut and dry one as movements take place from one to the other depending on the wishes of the participants at varying political dispensations. A novel type of political polarisation different from the above without any precedent anywhere in the world is the advocacy of power shift on generation basis as propounded by the self-styled under-fifty. Although in their well-canvassed manifesto, the National Integration Group (NIG), a euphemism for newbreedism, claim to be committed to national integration, unity and patriotism, sustenance of democracy, building of bridges of co-operation between geo-political zones of Nigeria by using religious, ethnic, linguistic and other social differences to advantage for national unity. Curiously they are convinced that only those of them under-50 possess the capability, the wisdom, the competence, the sincerity and integrity to end all the multifarious problems confronting this nation. The wrong impression is therefore given that senility, disloyalty and incompetence are the attributes of those over that age bracket, who must be ostracized and rendered redundant. The approach of the NIG members is not only selfish but also self-serving; to combat the multiplicity of problems troubling this polity, the co-operation and the inputs of all, young and old, should be thoroughly harnessed and utilised.
The gathering of the NIG members consisting of serving governors, Ministers, special advisers, commissioners, board members and legislators and others if carefully analysed will definitely show that the under-fifty constitute over 60%, a preponderant section of the participants in Nigerian politics today. If this assertion holds some truism, what else do they want? After all such positions were earned on their individual merits, and as a result of the confidence reposed on them by the electorate; it was not due to their ganging up on the alter of generational power shift. The coming together of NIG is discriminatory; does our constitution permit such discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, age and ethnic groupings?. Criss-crossing the national landscape, what special brilliance and performance has been shown by the under-fifty serving as Governors, deputy-governors, speakers, president of the senate, legislators and others to warrant the undue positive attention being directed at themselves?. Rather the under-fifty are known to have been the brains behind the numerous acts of impeachments, the endless executive, legislative face-off and the endemic corruption plaguing the polity. The new breed or under-fifty having served their pupilage under the most corrupt military oligarchy ever known in Africa, especially under Babangida and Abacha, have imbibed an unmatched insatiable appetite for greed. Mention must be made of the contract scams that rocked the National Assembly and the mouth-watering allowances which these young politicians awarded themselves, where as in the past public office was more of service to the nation, as it was impossible or unheard off for one to start one’s history of employment in politics. The fact remains that most of the present political players pay scant regards to public interests, rather they contribute more to the greater impoverishment of the masses. It is not surprising therefore that the NIG has been variously described by many Nigerians as a ‘jamboree’, ‘a mafiaso’ and a secret cult by greedy vampires ready to appropriate to themselves all the political and social advantages of this country.
Many believe that the NIG proponents are only interested in empty sloganeering to retain and gain power for its own sake in the pending 2003 elections. Many of them are in their late forties, they have not indicated how they will dispense with power when they are fifty-one and above. Although they claim to be committed to giving Nigeria, a nation eluded by progress for the past forty years, a better image through the restoration of unity, dignity and greatness, they have not shown such traits in their activities within their ethnic nationalities. Due to oppression and marginalisation by the ruling elites most especially under the military dictatorship, all the ethnic groupings without exception have become restive, for example the Arewa, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Ijaw and others share in the blame of the politics of bitterness and divisiveness as they and their people have reacted violently to perceived inhuman treatment and cheating. What have the under-fifty done since they belong individually to one or other of these groupings to allay and pacify the cheated ones from within? It is therefore, mere sweet talks to plan a reform from without.
There is no doubt that the NIG members are represented in the three registered political parties which have been plagued by internal strife and dissension in the struggle for power and positions, they have not utilised the wisdom and other capabilities of the under-fifty to solve these problems and ameliorate these unfortunate disagreement. From the list of participants in the NIG meeting, some of them foisted on Nigeria the murderous and divisive religious fundamentalism better known as Sharia which did not only rock the nation to its very foundations but also caused the death of many and the destruction of the property of many innocent Nigerians in Kaduna, Kano, Owerri, Aba, Enugu, Lagos and Sagamu. Perusing the antecedents of the proponents of NIG philosophy, it is doubtful if there would be justification for the lofty goals which they have set for themselves. With the resources at the disposal of the NIG members which they acquired via the public offices which they hold, let them try to form a political party. They will later realise to their chagrin and regret that those attributes which they pretend to have such as their dynamism, education, zeal and enthusiasm are just some of the requirements of good leadership, that o nation can do away with wisdom, experience and a dependable track record. The latest efforts of the NIG members to start a political movement based on age exclusion must be seen as diversionary, an attempt to mislead the masses and hide their failure, shortcomings and inadequacies in public office.
The blames for the problems of Nigeria must not be dumped at the feet of any age group as attempted by the NIG group, after all most of our present and past leaders assumed public responsibilities in their thirties and forties, such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Owolowo and others. The same is true of all the military rulers that traversed our political landscape. Therefore it must be stressed that age is not an efficient and adequate criterion to measure good governance, rather the unity, development and progress of Nigeria can only be sustained on the principle of tolerance, honesty, hard work, justice, fairness, equity and mutual respect. Putting these problems in a simplistic strait jacket of generational power shift is dishonest, myopic and selfish. Politics must not be seen as an opportunity for self or group enrichment. Like the proverbial organ, the white and black keys must be played together to obtain a harmonious music. Let me enter this caveat; that this paper should not be seen as a wholesale condemnation of the under-fifty in Nigeria, far from it; there are many millions of sane virtuous, competent and respectable men and women in that category in this country who are capable of holding their own against others all over the world. Such under-fifty do neither play the politics of exclusion nor are desirous of selfishly appropriating power to themselves alone. This category of unassuming youths are prepared to co-operate with the leaders to move the nation forward. Many Nigerians have rightly complained of recycliing of politicians who have not exhibited any distinguishing features in their previous assignments. Many NIG members fall into this category. The under-fifty ruling elites shun the euphoria of exhibiting awesome power, they must give great concern for the poverty- stricken masses of Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of misgovernment, corruption and neglect.
Mr. Farukanmi was a senator in the second republic