NIGERIAN POLITICS AND THE ORDINARY CITIZENS:A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS.

professor Maurice Iwuh (INEC Chairman)

When Nigeria became independent in 1960, the politicians then or the founding fathers, heaved a sigh of relief which signifies freedom; i.e. freedom for self rule. In context, it was as if all the problems were gone. Moreover, the shackles of colonialism were broken and Nigerians were disposed to handling their problems by themselves and that should be good reason for celebration and thanksgiving. As such, every year, the Independence Day is celebrated in African countries to commemorate end to colonialism and beginning of self rule.
During the first republic, our founding fathers took up the responsibility of governance as sincerely as they’ve been taught. However, regional and ethnic tensions escalated quickly and they began to play politics on tribal lines. Except for few shining examples, most of our founding fathers were engaged in tribalism. Sequels to this, success in elections were based on tribal affiliations. This trend, developed sore spots on the Nigeria political landscape; leading to the fall of the first republic through a coup which was led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu. The nature of this coup triggered off a counter coup which led to the persecution of Ibos and then the civil war which ended in 1970. The military, relinquished power to a civilian government in 1983 after an election which was allegedly marred by election rigging and election manipulation. However, the populace accepted the election which heralded the second republic. After the deposition of the second republic, Nigeria went through a long period of military rule which however came to an end in 1999, ushering in the fourth republic with an election which was also marred by election rigging and speculation of rigging. Since then, Nigerians have been under civilian rule. The transition from military to civilian rule should seem like the transition from colonialism to self rule and supposedly, our leaders and politicians heaved a sigh of relief to usher in the fourth republic. However, things don’t come easy and Nigerians are still complaining because things are not getting better, rather thing are getting worse. The inflationary trend is high and the security situation is deplorable. Nigerians had hoped that the return to civilian rule would herald progress, peace and security in Nigeria, but that is not so. The leaders who usurped power after the 1999, 2003 and 2007 electoral rigging began to run a form of government which could be termed cronyism or then oligarchy since the interest of the people as a whole is subservient to the selfish interests of the rulers. In Nigeria, the national assembly, the senate and the various arms of government including the councilors enrich themselves in the expense of the rest of the populace, apparently fuelling disenchantment and severe labour unrest by different segments of the Nigerian civil service. Presently, the strike by the university lecturers is raging due to the perceived inequality and exploitation of the average Nigerian by the executives and legislative arms of government. Now the lecturers who feels that they have been short changed in comparism to government office holders have made genuine claims but the government is not ready to compromise its stand and the National executive council (NEC) of the academic staff union of Nigerian Universities (ASU) issued a statement saying that “they would rather die trying”. Now, who knows how this imbroglio would be resolved. Now, as the case between the government and ASU is still raging, the chairman of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu dropped a bombshell by saying that only the military can conduct free and fair election in Nigeria. Supposedly, Nigerians have been accusing, cursing and hurling abuses at him in hordes and in thousands. Be that as it may, we have to be sincere to ourselves. If Iwu had done anything wrong, it’s because he is coward. Though he is not the only person who has expressed reservation with the ability of the present civilian dispensation to organize genuine and flawless elections. Other Nigerians have expressed their doubts too.However; he should have resigned since he was coerced into announcing rigged results which was a tactful execution of the ruling party. Considering facts, he goofed and but he is indirectly pushing the blame on the executive when he had been a collaborator. He would have made history, if he had resigned before announcing the result. To secure his life, he would have fled to some liberal country where he will be in a better position to tell us what really happened and then, posterity will remember him for a sincere deed. Now he’d goofed and there is no remedy.
The experience of professor Maurice Iwuh, have come to show us that Nigeria neither needs the highly placed, the highly educated, the highly influential nor the powerful in order to salvage the situation. What we need are righteous men who can stand their ground when the need arises. These men of integrity could come from any aspect of the Nigerian society including the Academic, the military, the religious and so on. Hence, Nigerians should come to terms with the fact that we need reorientation and divine intervention. Let’s hope that the rebrand Nigeria project will meet its targets.