Lessons from June 12

Power resides with the people. We understand this to be true in democracy. Nigeria has tried to evolve its home-grown democracy to satisfy the peculiarity of our political environment. June 12 election was the end of an experiment to develop a party system and an electoral process in a political laboratory. The principal researcher was Prof. Humphrey Nwosu and the sponsor was General Ibrahim Babangida. I expected Nwosu’s book to contain all the results and any conclusions derivable from them. The amount of intellectual and material resources that went into this experiment could not be allowed to be wasted. Those who have tinkered with our political genres need to think through this matter properly to understand deeply how things are shaping up for a greater tomorrow. Prof. Nwosu is morally bound to provide all the information and fill in the gaps so that all the lessons of June 12 may be fully understood. The Head of State that annulled the election called to an end the experiment; his goal or purpose and the reasons for suspending things in the direction they were moving are yet to be made public. Our political historians have not asked the right questions and that is why there is too much haziness around June 12. Those who fought to bequeath a united Nigeria claim they were still fighting for the survival of this country as a polity.
If June 12 was a military coup, as it seemed, that was open to political analysis, we have failed to do a thorough job. We have only called names and tried to apportion blames for the annulment, but have not considered the reasons for the action. Who was to gain by the action; the masses, the nation or some unseen self-centered group in or outside the military establishment? We are searching for good answers. If the cabal who played the game of power can not realize the folly of any justification, let history glorify them if the truth in decades’ time will be a balm. The wild goose chase should stop and be replaced by visionary effort for Nigeria.

ON BISHOP OKONKWO’S THOUGHTS

Bishop Okonkwo’s interview with Sam Eyoboka on Sunday Vanguard, 22nd June 2008, contained statements that evoked feelings of doubt as to whether he should not leave politics for those who are cut out for it and face the expounding of the scriptures. He jumped on shaky ropes and I hope he didn’t get thrown off balance. He called for the resignation of Prof. Iwu without offering a better alternative and telling us why he failed as well as what his successor should do to succeed. He advocated for the use of extraordinary force in the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government to dismantle and suppress the interest groups there. I expect that legitimate interest groups actually should build a firm political foundation for us. Forceful intimidation of the people who have clear ideas about their needs and expectations is the killer of our collective national aspirations. I hope the Bishop is asking for neither another Odi saga nor the incarceration of leaders of thought calling for change in the Niger Delta. He should ask for good roads, portable water, service-oriented hospitals and other development programmes or keep quiet and pray. With love in our hearts, we ought to go into the Niger Delta with the power to listen and act with compassion.

To Professor J.D. Amin

Your Watch and Time

Take this watch
As we watch in appreciation.
See this watch
As we see your worth.
Check your time
As it's bullish in stock term.
Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack!
In seconds, time writes you a cheque
In minutes, time defines your value
In hours, time declares your legacy
In days, time reveals your will
In time, we shall know who inherits your seal
Watch the time, as the events unfold
Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack!
Step by step
Strides into the future
As fame greets your adventure
And we watch in the hall of heroes
Welcome and embrace the time
Enjoy and use the time
Thanks for the time you wear on your wrist
For reminding you
For its call for the head of a giant over the mountain top
To roll into the valleys of wild hilarious ovations and waving hands
In the boisterous silence of this time, listen to the watch
Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack!
Tick like the ticking watch on your wrist
A message from your colleagues in standing ovation

(C) Professor Ikechukwu Onyebuchi Igbokwe, 2008

Class slides for VPT 511