CAN THE CENTER HOLD? I fear for Nigeria. We appear heading to a strange odyssey, a point from which any gracious return to normalcy will be difficult to contemplate. The greatest cause for the division of Nigeria today is squarely at the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan. While I cannot hide my public admiration for his person, I am appalled at the seeming air of impunity that has become the nascent style of his administration. The very character of using State institutions to hunt other citizenry because of their political opinion is an idea that is driving this Nation to an unfathomable abyss. If we have not won the war against Boko Haram. we cant win a war where the people of Nigeria takeup arms against the State. Must we treat the sub nationals as lepers because they dont share in our political Ideology? Must PDP a party known for its lack luster ideological philosophy be the party in every State of the federation when it is obvious that its Governors are the worst culprits in delivering democratic dividends? Must we heat up the polity because President Jonathan must be President of Nigeria? Must we flagrantly practice criminal injustice using the fragile thread holding the federation of Nigeria together because we must deliver President Jonathan? Must the Airspace over Maiduguri be opened to a former Governor of Borno State a known passionate sponsor of Boko Haram and a criminal who stole every available funds of his State to enrich himself, whereas the same airspace cannot be opened to the serving Governor? I am afraid for Nigeria. I wonder who is pushing President Jonathan into an expression that destroyed every known dictator in history. Must we shred the fragile thread of the federation of Nigeria, just because there are people who cant see beyond their noses? If Abacha could not succeed in this. I wonder who will. We must return to the culture of tolerance across the fields of our separate engagements. I speak as a concerned Nigerian and as its strongest stakeholder and advocate of public order. One lesson of History we must learn is that no group of people can win over the vast majority of its people. There is in Nigeria a growing trend of discontent which I fear may result into unanticipated events. We must stop now and calculate our ways backward through an act of national contrition bordering on the principle of equity and fairplay. We must practice an inclusive system already designed in the concept of our federation to achieve optimal development of the institutions of State. We must allow the legislature to run without inducement and shun this culture of mephistopheles in State administration. The judiciary must regain its primary place as agent of the balance of state power and justice. The Executive must remember that power belongs to the people and they can choose to take it back without apologies when they so desire. The Putinization of the Nigeria process therefore must stop. We must know quickly that the culture of band wagonism is the first sign of a failed system and never any sign of prowess. President Jonathan must respond to the ethics of civilization and act presidential. The world is watching. My names are Tosan Blessing Meriakpome Harriman and that is the way I see It.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:47:24 +0000
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