Tame Those False Democrats First

T he struggle to accomplish a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them will forever be quashed until those false democrats are completely wipe out. Defining false democrats might be a rugged competitive examination, yet they are everywhere in Nigeria’s decaying political system. A false democrat is as dangerous as a dictator if not worse and Nigerians, it seems, are oblivious of this development even though it is like the pervasive odour of garlic.

It is risky for a nation if the opposition parties are full of false democrats. And I strongly believe that the only moment a dictator could get away with threatening, bullying, and “disappearing” his enemies is actually when the opposition is not only weak but pretenders. It is near impossible to make any genuine progress under such historical context. This might explain the reason behind Nigeria’s low-pitched wobbling sound since the country was fraudulently and forcefully amalgamated in 1914. Even many of those calling themselves the democrats have directly or indirectly supported coups in the country.

For a while, the opposition parties seem genuine in their battle. I am actually referring to Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria), Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe’s NPP (Nigerian People’s Party), Malam Aminu Kano’s PRP (People’s Redemption Party), Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim’s GNPP (Greater Nigerian People’s Party). The word opposition left its mark in those days. Opposition meant opposition thus Nigerians witnessed a progressive ideology. Though I didn’t know much about government and politics, I knew the formidable and genuine influence of the opposition. Today, it‘s obvious there’s no much difference between the ruling party and the so-called opposition. I can even say confidently that they are “feathers of the same bird”.

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The gradual defunctness of opposition is dangerous. This is perhaps what gave a one man the leverage to seek a third-term when the constitution stipulates two terms as the maximum. It might also be the reason why another man who had helped the first man in his craziness could now claim to be the opposition. It was easy for this man to dismantle Afenifere, Ohanze and Arewa Consultative Forum because he knew that those involved were false democrats. For a distinct example, who would have predicted that people like Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Ebenezer Babatope would serve under late Sani Abacha, the man who ruled Nigeria with tempestuous mind? That single act utterly destroyed whatever virtue these two profess.

Chief Segun Osoba, former AD governor of Ogun State, in a recent interview with the Vanguard claimed he was lobbied by the royal fathers to support Chief Obasanjo in the latter’s bid to rule Nigeria further. He succumbed to Oyekan, Awujale, Alake and Oni’s appeal to support Obasanjo for presidency. So in order to be able to work free in the country, Osoba listened to the traditional rulers who had told him that the need to support Obasanjo was an assignment from the Yoruba Nation. Whilst I understand the Chief’s respect for traditional rulers, it apparently shows some stuff the opposition is made of in today’s Nigeria.

In another recent interview in the Daily Sun, Chief Babatope, Minister of Transport and Aviation under Abacha’s tyrannical rule was quoted as saying that “Quote me, Adesanya and other Awoists supported Abacha government”. So if this is the case, any further reason as to why Nigeria is progressing backward? “The military under Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar,” says Babatope, “ did not give itself time to have a programme where political parties would be formed on ideological basis. All the political parties that came in 1999 were formed without any ideological character. 90 per cent of the political class supported (Abacha’s) regime”.

To further buttress the point that ideology has died in Nigeria’s contemporary political arena, many of those who had asked Abacha to be the life president immediately shifted gear after the death of the dictator. It’s quite unfortunate that majority of them are still involved in the polity of Nigeria today. How could Nigeria move forward when these visionless individuals are allowed to be at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs? Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Federal Capital Territory Minister under Obasanjo Administration, is now saying what most Nigerians have known already – that criminals have taken over the government.

I believe it was easy for General Ibrahim Babangida to have ruled for eight years and annul a “free and fair” election believed to have been won by Bashorun MKO Abiola (he also courted the military boys) because most of those calling themselves opposition are false democrats. I have noticed their mode of operation though. These people cherish aligning with any government of the day. They care less about building a nation as long as they build their pockets. Successive military or civilian-military government noticed this weakness in our polity and exploited it to the apex. Would you be surprised if one day Babangida reveals that the so-called democrats were behind the June 12 annulment? I am waiting on IBB and co to tell the nation who among the “democrats” had been involved in coup plotting.

As much as I genuinely admire and respect the Noble Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Human Rights Activist of no equal, I am still amazed and may never understand the logic available to these incorruptible two, to have romanced people like Babangida and Buhari, two ex-military Heads of state who contributed immensely to the pathetic situation of Nigeria. The professor served under Babangida as Federal Road Safety Corps Chairman while, although the legal luminary did not serve under any dictator, he was reported to have had soft spot for Buhari, the General who had the audacity to backdate a law in order to execute two drug dealers.

Nigerians should continue to ask subliminal and provocative questions otherwise the new boy’s proclamation that the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) will rule Nigeria for sixty years is certain. Prince Vincent Ogbulafor knew what he was saying when he declared such statement. The ruling party has tactically destroyed the opposition and buried them alive. Anyone who doubts the fact that Nigeria is currently operating a one party system – implicitly or explicitly – should, from today follow the events in the country more closely. It is, for instance, tragedy of a nation for Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigba to suddenly become the new beautiful bride being courted by both the ruling party and the opposition.

Now examine many of those who fought Abacha in those days and tell me where they are now. Further examine those who became governors, ministers, local chairmen and so on. Are they better in terms of governing? Are the things lacking in those days available now under the administration of these democrats? If not, why? Nigerians are not fools, for they know what is going on. Although their silence is dangerous, the fact that they are meek in response may not after all mean cowardice. Meanwhile, it seems nothing shocks them anymore, especially the waywardness of their leaders.

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Nigerians know for sure that those claming to be fighting on their behalf are actually fighting for their own pockets. It is now difficult for Nigerians to distinguish between genuine and fake democrats. Nigerians have studied the situation and concluded that politics or whatever in Nigeria is not about governing but to amass stupendous wealth. At the moment only a few would believe a candidate who seems to be downright in his/her approach to issues. The masses consider every politician to be the same, and this has dampened their spirit for liberation. They have married the church and the mosque instead.

It may be the reason why the likes of Prof. Pat Utomi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others like them could not even secure considerable votes in their quest to lead Nigeria out of its present position in which we have been overcome by some superior force or circumstance. The masses are frustrated because they have been betrayed many times by the so-called democrats. Right now what matters most to them is how to get some remnants to fill empty stomachs instead of a drastic change in thinking and behaviour. Although the time shall come but they are too weak for such daring task now. Blame the false democrats.

By Hakeem Babalola

Copyright 2008

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