NIGERIA CRUMBLING AT 56. NO INSIGNIA OF NATIONHOOD

The struggle for the "freedom" we enjoy today was decisive, all encompassing, built on an honest desire for a great and prosperous nation with an unfettered sovereignty and limitless opportunity for the millions of citizens.

It is however, a big regret that today at 56, we have nothing to boast of, we have nothing to hold onto. Some analysts are of the views that this 56years should be seen as a building process, a foundation-making period and years of working towards maturity.

with utmost humility, i bet to disagree with the propounders of such theory. A man of 56years should be battling with Grey heirs and some steps away from his resting abode. He will be chastised and bemoaned for irresponsibility should he not be accomplished.

Our independence struggle took another dimension in 1939 upon the regionalization of Nigeria by sir Bernard Bourdillon. The polarization of the country into regions was premature and too early for a country that was still neck-deep in search of its commonality. There was no preemptive and proactive measures to caution it's divisive after-effects.

Regionalism refurbished and brought into effect home consciousness, tribalism, Regionalism and religious bigotry. The so called nationalists became polarized, political parties became tribalistic and region-based. Whilest NCNC dominated the trado political hub of Igboland, NPC and AG held sway in Northern and South-West regions respectively. The foisted amalgamation of 1914 became a mockery as the union was at best, a mixture of insolubles in a solvent.

The nationalists abandoned the collective pursuit of a united purpose. National interest and our collective aspiration as a nation was sacrificed on the alter of regional convenience. They turned into fissiparous lieutenants with canterkerous followers all geared towards regional freedoms at the expense of a united nationhood. The Igbos became independent in 1956, the Yorubas in 1957 while the Northerners became self governing a year before independence.

There was no unity of purpose neither was there a united focus towards the general good of Nigeria. In about the four to five constitutional conferences that predated our independence, the Nationalist leaders discussed virtually issues of regional benefits rather than national interest. The problem of disunity which was to become a cankerworm in the fabrics of our system was therefore inevitably birthed.

Even after independence, our leaders still did not do away with these parochial ideas. Military coups were even regionalized. There was never cohesion at the Centre. No spirit of nationhood and sense of unity in Nigeria.

The fruit of disunity planted by Bourdillon surpassed the biblical mustard seed and is being harvested by the new generation politicians upon the exit of the actors of that period from active politics.

The younger politicians stepped into their big shoes, occupied their chambers, wearing their spirit and souls. Their views were always shrouded by parochial and regional consciousness, garnished with religious bigotry and creamed with avarice and self centeredness.

Until we come to a roundtable to discuss conditions upon which we would continue to exist as a united country, there will be no progress, what we will have will be diversity in unity. There will be no end to politically motivated crises by a section of the country when another section occupies the number one seat.

We must revisit our Constitution. What we have at present is a foisted Constitution which does not represent our modus vivendi. It does not reflect our beliefs, ideals, desires and nature. It is not workable. The preamble to the Constitution is fraudulent, deceitful and a gross misrepresentation. "We the people of Nigeria" did not make any Constitution for ourselves. It was the military under Obasanjo who doctored the Constitution to suit their military command structure. It was a military invention. The Constitution lacks the prerequisite democratic ethos and paraphernalia.

Buhari must rise above party affiliation, regional identity and religious bigotry to revisit the 2014 confab. Many of the resolutions would be pivotal in a genuine rebuilding process. Buhari must act as a Nigerian whose constituency cuts across the whole nation. Patriotism and the spirit of nationhood should be his guiding principles.

The political culture inherent in Nigeria is not favourable. The youths and leaders of "next tomorrow" must not be socialized by this culture of impunity, disingenuous tendencies, chronic corruption, thuggery, politically motivated arson, political assassination, electoral malfeasance, political propaganda and other unprintable vices that has continued to limit our prospects as a nation.

The youths must be inculcated the spirit of patriotism and nationhood. Meritocracy should be our abiding principle if this unity in diversity must work.

Finally, we have nothing to celebrate. There is no progress intenderm with the wasted years. What re we celebrating? 56years of apparent failure? 56years of a decadent and dependent judiciary? 56years of endemic corruption and travesty of justice? 56years of police intimidation and militocracy? 56years of crooks in our treasury in the name of politics? 56years of backwardness and substandard education? 56years of crises and wars? 56years of skyrocketing unemployment? Or is it 56years of political dependency, neo-colonialism and imperialism?

There is nothing to be happy about. We must consolidate on the small faith we still have in Nigeria. We must come together as Nigerians, as brothers to build a suitable home for us all. We shall surely by his divine guidance reach that land where a Nigerian’s abilities is not limited by the circumstances of his birth, religion and region.

God bless Nigeria

Comrade Okpe Sylvanus is a, Lawyer, Journalist, Writer, Political Commentator and Civil Rights Activist.
He is the Author of Africa Without Politics (A protest book on the leadership quagmire in Africa)

Just pray this country could be a better place than ever before, we had different leaders from different parts of this country, yet the results of all is still the same.
God save Nigeria.

If u still believe Nigeria will be great again... Chai e go pain me for u

100 years later we go still be writing the same epistles.