Restructuring agenda against the referendum for secession

AFP photo

By

Ogunniyi Abayomi

The political and social environment in Nigeria ironically has not attained its democratic potential in spite of its independence on the 1st of October 1960, likewise its transition from the military system of  government to the federal system of government on the 1st of October 1979 under the Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme regime, reminiscent of 29th of May 1999 under the regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar respectively. After the death of Abacha on June 8, 1998 we deliberated on the return of a federal state which was attained but we are yet to yield its potential as a nation.

A jeopardised systemis an adjective that exclusively describes our state of polity with an eye for greed, manipulative conduct, self-interest, lawlessness, unconcerned attitude of our political leaders, rigid policies by the legislative, executive and judicial arm of government working at the interest of their job rather than the integrity required to be sustained during their tenure.

Our failure to decry these acts raise a society of ethnic differences, religious bigotry, chaos, pogroms, battered attitudes towards our fellow citizen, strive to acquire wealth via illegal acts such as oil bunkering, kidnapping, armed robbery, cyber-crimes, fraudulent practices and trafficking among our children, endangering lives of the citizens to the risk of insecurity and instability within the sphere of their abode.

The verses don’t change the story when the Fulani herdsman attack the farmland across the south, nor has the state of terrorism declined in the north east yet we clamour while several towns within several states are empty, several homeless with bodies lying across the street, helpless without any consideration from authorities to decline and ensure that such occurrences no longer persist.

Nigeria is at the crossroads of making a decision for the future of the unborn generation yet I am drawn to cite George Orwell from his novel Animal Farm which states that “your resolution must never falter, no argument must lead astray” towards the view of a restructured Nigeria and the agitation for secession among various regionsacross the country ensuing for total autonomy and dialogue among individuals and groups. These decisions are evoked for national unity amidst the crises within our sphere, hereby life and properties wither away from the owners feet by raging violence within the soil.

Over time there have been numerous agitations by various groups for ethnic autonomy by regions within the state over the elimination of strife among tribes which has resulted in political destabilisation as far back as we can remember, the coupe d’état of 1966 and genocide of 1967, war and massacres encountered still fresh memories in our minds.

Individuals, groups and parties within the federation were clamouring for these opinions and political decisions with various discourses over the Nigerian political frame that has been bent to favour the elite, cabal and affluent rather than the masses who vote these leaders into power to perform their political duties for the next four years.

The political frame and structure had clusters over the last eighteen years of our transition into democracy. We observe the same challenges from different political administration affecting our development as a nation, group and individual, the economic strife and miscellaneous spending of public funds within the realm via illicit sharing formula are among issues along trivial cases that have been raised.

The political authorities kicked against the idea of secession ensuing for peace and unity on a platform of greed and deceit to its people, meanwhile the clime of stagnation is upheaval yet in spite of this we are still encountering the swindling of public funds among the elite despite the persecution publicized and broadcasted by various media outlets.

The restructure of Nigeria’s federal system and the referendum for secession were observed as an opinion of no regard by the political class in an atmosphere of maligned acts, which is sometimes observed as deception against the masses by the elite who do not know where the shoes pinch them.

Several pogroms and mischievous acts within society raise so much dust on the success of dialogue while several pogroms are still on the rampage between the north and eastern regions of the country. Can we mislead ourselves when we know our problems and look for possible solutions?

Are we still deceiving ourselves enduring the pain of poor jobs, poor roads, poor infrastructure, unfavourable policies and decisions over the last 18 years? In my research and findings I have realised that many Nigerians clamour for secession rather than the intended review of restructuring within the political domain.

This time Nigerians should speak over what bothers their minds and bodies. It’s not a plea, rather an advocacy, decrying the inhumane acts within our environs.

Ogunniyi Abayomi

Ogunniyi Abayomi was born July 11, 1991 in the city of Lagos, where he resides. A poet and essayist whose works have been published in various journals.