Elliott Ugochukwu-Uko
Human condition and situation always begets friction and conflict. Different worldviews and mindsets usually lead to struggle for accommodation, relevance and dominance.
Living together almost always leads to misunderstandings and quarrels even amongst kinsmen, co workers, friends, neighbours, spouses and siblings. It is the sincerity of purpose in resolving these conflicts, along the lines of justice, equity and fair play that engenders peace and harmony.
Sometimes, hard and unattractive facts actually do seem offensive. Even individuals, do reject suggestions to drop certain unhelpful habits, adjust their lifestyle or amend their ways. They find offensive, any suggestion that doesn’t agree with their predetermined desires or mindset, or accustomed lifestyle and conclude that those making the “unacceptable” suggestion must be the enemy.
Sometimes, that “unacceptable” suggestion, actually may be the only truthful and sensible path.
They, therefore, resist change of any kind, for two reasons: One, they have gotten used to the existing status quo and therefore, are not sure of what exactly the speculated change will bring; Secondly, any kind of change, usually comes with totally new ways of doing things. You can’t be too sure that the new format would be better than the old.
Accordingly, people seem suspicious of change, any kind of change. Not a few compatriots feel offended at the suggestion that restructuring our polity will actually heal the land.
These compatriots are unable to see the link between opposition to the clamour for a restructured Nigeria and the ongoing agitation in the country. They conveniently separate the two and wonder why the agitation is growing so strong, over time.
I have the privilege of organising seminars and workshops for Igbo youths under the banner of the IYM, for more than 3 decades. In those years, I have watched the emotions, fears and feelings of the masses over time, on the structural deficiencies of Nigeria. The creation of states and local government councils by the military. The delineation of federal constituencies that shape membership of the house of representatives, by the same military. The veracity of the population figures allotted states and the domination of the military and security agencies by one section of the country.
The sickening impunity and the nauseating nepotism that enthroned mediocrity, which greatly hinders the growth of the country.
I have noted these frustrations long before Ralph founded MASSOB in 1999 and Nnamdi upped the ante over a decade later. I have studied the relationship between the agitation for secession and the demands for a restructuring of Nigeria. I have worked closely with brilliant elders who appreciate the problems better than I do.
I have come to see that the opposition to restructuring and the fact that some people even feel offended by the suggestion of restructuring the polity, has over time fired the passion of the agitators to exit Nigeria. Sadly, those who are offended by the suggestion of a reconstruction of the country, have no idea, that they are the ones deepening the agitation, by their opposition to restructuring.
Aside the fact that the authorities mistakenly misdiagnosed the reasons for the agitation, the next issue on the scale of importance, could be the ignorance that opposition to restructuring simply inspires and strengthens the agitation for secession day by day.
This error, more than anything else, brought us where we are today.
Very painful, is the fact, that those opposed to restructuring, actually feel offended by the calls for restructuring.
These fellows may not even realise that the refusal or delay in restructuring our country actually inspired the agitation rocking the land.
From their world view and thought process, you note that they actually believe that the country will somehow emerge a great nation under this 1999 unitary constitution. They not only erroneously convince themselves that calls to restructure Nigeria is evil, they actually go a step further to resent the advocates of restructuring.
They feel so offended at the advocacy about restructuring.
Certain facts truly do seem offensive if we don’t truly understand the need for, the importance of and the benefits therefrom for all, around the subject matter.
So interestingly, they actually really desire to rope in, and incriminate proponents of restructuring with the agitation in order to deal with them, silence or even get rid of them.
They are blinded by their own worldview, that they have no time for the other person’s thoughts.
I happen to know that the fears arising from the conclusion that some people’s stiff opposition to restructuring, simply means that all hope is lost for Nigeria to ever be fair to all, actually inspired the agitation for secession.
I do know that the belief that some people would never agree to or allow the restructuring of Nigeria, drives the agitation for secession, even till date.
Agitators would tell you “since they said that restructuring Nigeria will only happen over their dead bodies, they have left us no choice than to fight for the freedom of our children”.
In other words, the lack of hope that Nigeria will ever get restructured, inspires the loss of faith in the system, which in turn, fires the agitation.
The people opposed to restructuring, may not know that their opposition to restructuring Nigeria, is actually the fuel powering the agitation for secession.
That some people are totally committed to retaining the unhelpful 1999 constitution by fire by force, gives the others the impression that the country would never survive, talk less progress.
They in turn, convinced themselves that something must be done to ensure a better tomorrow for their children.
Nigeria’s 45 million population at 1960, has more than quadrupled since then.
With a projected population of over 400 million in 2050, just 29 years ahead, it is truly scary to imagine what will happen when our oil revenues dip.
It will most certainly dip as the world continues to seek and source alternative sources of energy, abandoning fossil fuel.
The picture and the reality looks very disturbing, with the FRIGHTENING levels of illiteracy and ignorance in the land and the unwieldy 1999 constitution stifling the exploitation of other sources of revenue, thereby encouraging indolence and over dependence on only one source of revenue that will certainly dry up with time.
India, Germany, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and every other truly federal constitutional democracy in the world, structured their system in appreciation of regional peculiarities and allowed different regions to exploit and grow their areas of strength, thereby increasing productivity and ensuring stability, completely removing frustrations and agitations.
The refusal to encourage the regions to look inwards and develop themselves, is both wrong and unhelpful.
The hope that the problematic 1999 constitution will make Nigeria great and powerful, is truly unrealistic.
The opposition to restructuring Nigeria is actually based on lack of knowledge, than anything else.
Hubris and the instinct to perpetually dominate others, could also be part of it, but ignorance of empirical reality of the future, is probably the chief reason, some of our people seem scared of the advocacy towards restructuring. But the truth is undebatable.
We have no future under the 1999 constitution.
Our unending religious riots, insecurity and weak institutions, made tourism a hard sale. Monstrous bureaucracy, too unwieldy to manage and monitor, gave birth to profligacy and corruption of immense proportion.
Ethnic and cultural differences ensure bitter rivalry and struggle for central power, destroying bonding necessary for nation building.
Huge profitable natural resources remain underground and unexploited because states can’t mine and market these resources.
Seething anger and bitterness inspires agitations that cannot be contained by purely military action.
The division in the land, unemployment and poverty making it difficult to grow the bonding, imperative for economic development.
Those opposed to restructuring are clearly mistaken, hatred towards advocates of restructuring, simply unhelpful.
From my personal experience, I have learnt that everyone may not understand at the same time, the great need to reconstruct our polity and rejuvenate our land.
Some of those who opposed restructuring decades ago, are advocates of restructuring today. 25 years ago, Igbo leaders who told me that Admiral Godwin Ndubisi Kanu was deceived by NADECO and that he in turn was misleading me, have over time, seen the merits in restructuring Nigeria and have since become converted.
Those who labelled me “Elliot onye ala restructuring” have since changed their position. They now pray and fear for me.
Those opposed to restructuring Nigeria should carefully examine the realities on ground, the insecurity and the agitation in the land, and kindly suggest a way out or a way forward.
It is not enough to oppose restructuring and support military action against agitators. We must proffer sensible and workable solutions. How do we heal the land, assuage frustrations and restore confidence in the system?
It’s not true that some people just want to destroy the country. What is true rather, is that some people are so frustrated that they believe they don’t have a future in unitary Nigeria.
They are also scared about the future of their children and they are aggrieved that nobody cares about their grievances and their fears. Moreover, they watch and sadly note that the country is drifting.
Their agitation which is a result of fear of a bleak future, cannot be assuaged through military action and threats of violence.
Their fears can only be addressed when the FRIGHTENING structure is reconstructed to an encompassing federal arrangement that carries everybody along.
A structure that will reassure everyone that the country belongs to all.
When the facts of the matter are not properly understood and appreciated, sincere suggestions to adjust and amend the system you are used to, may become offensive.
Fear of the unknown, drives us to feel offended by a suggestion for change of any kind, even when that change is for the good of all.
Nigeria cannot progress and grow under the 1999 constitution. The facts are clear for all to see. The future is scary.
Feeling offended over call for a reconstruction of the polity, is unhelpful and improper.
To be CONTINUED.
