Nigerian lawmakers: make hay while the sun shines

I am not sure that a lot of Nigerians know about the revolution that eclipsed ten years of French history from 1789 to 1799. Despite the fact that it happened about 225 years ago, the French Revolution still remains one of the most significant life changing events in human history. Those ten revolutionary years were a period of intense political and social upheaval in France and they had profound and far-reaching effects, not only on the government and people of that country, but also on the wider global political landscape.

The revolution arose, in the first place, from a culmination of factors, part of which was an oppressive monarchical system, economic inequality among citizens, a general awakening of the desire for liberty from oppression and growing fraternity among the common people. And if today, we take a cursory look at the causes, key events and consequences of that revolution, if we highlight its enduring impact on the modern world, we will easily notice how Nigeria is gradually but steadily drifting into the type of abysmal conditions that created the scope for the French Revolution.

Professor Chinua Achebe said it all in ‘There was a Country’, the last book he wrote before he gracefully bowed out, that once a people have been dispossessed and subjected to dictatorships for such a long time as in Nigeria’s case, the oppressive process also effectively strips away from the minds of the people the knowledge that they have rights.

Achebe was correct.
For the over six decades that Nigeria had self rule, a systematically criminal electoral process prevailed and continued to churn out and recycle a greedy, mediocre crop of politicians who became more or less accepted as the country’s leaders. As a result of their incompetence, these “trader-moni politicians” naturally had a proclivity towards dictatorialism. That was the preferred way they could operate without thought or regard for the welfare of Nigerian citizens. They became a ferocious gang of opportunists that practically turned the country into their private orchards. They turned the people into slaves in their own country as they saddled and enclosed the political space like an army of occupation.

The oppressive process happened in the wake of massive official corruption that culminated in the broad day light rigging of election results and the brazen use of incumbency to subdue popular opinions, producing the crop of inefficient so-called leaders whose only mission and ambition was to make money, and more money, and more money out of the sufferings and penury of their less endowed fellow Nigerians. In some states, Nigerians were forced to become refugees in their own country, sacked from their ancestral homes by fellow Nigerians who chose to be known as bandits and unknown gun men. Progressively, Nigerians continued to live in fear, from day to day. And no one knew what peace of mind meant any more.

The Nigerian political class became totally alienated from the people and consequently lost grip of any knowledge of the desires and aspirations of the very constituents that voted them into public office. If there was indeed one word that defined the Nigerian political class today, the word would rightly be “oppressive”. That oppressive attitude was vividly captured in the rather annoying recent video clip making the rounds. In that clip, some distinguished Nigerian senators purportedly debated whether or not poor families in the land should be allowed “to breathe”. Ironically, the session was superintended over by the No. 3 citizen and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, mockingly asking his colleagues if the poor in the land “should be allowed to breathe”. The senators chorused ‘aye’ to allow the poor to breathe God’s own air. The senators possibly thought the entire issue was a joke, but to many people across countries that saw the video, it told the story of an unfeeling legislative assembly of wicked men who could go to any length to make themselves comfortable while millions of their country men and women were being crushed to death by hunger and penury.

It is no wonder that in the past few decades, Nigeria has been preeminently defined as a paradox, a country where the gap between the very rich families and the very poor families had continued to widen from one administration to another, as the country steeped in official corruption. And as matters stand at the moment, it would not be far from the truth to postulate that, given the present circumstances, the underlying causes that led to the eruption of the revolution in France are in fact beginning to raise their ugly heads in Nigeria.

First and foremost was the oppressive and autocratic rule of the Bourbon monarchy, under King Louis XVI. The monarchy was characterized by its extravagance, just as Nigerian politicians are, buying up very expensive cars and state-of-the-art mansions in Abuja, Dubai, New York, London and elsewhere; mismanagement of finances, just as the Nigerian politicians are doing with public funds which they refuse to subject to accountability and insensitivity to the plight of the impoverished masses, which Nigerian politicians have continued to show with impunity to poor and gravely marginalized Nigerian families. In France at the time under review, the privileged classes, including the nobility and the clergy, enjoyed significant exemptions from taxation, exacerbating economic disparities between the privileged and the downtrodden, which is exactly what is happening in Nigeria today.

In the midst of all these, the unexpected encroachment of enlightenment ideas began to question the legitimacy of the monarchy, just as many Nigerians are beginning to question the morality of their political class, and advocate for the rights and freedoms of individuals, just the same way Nigerians from various ethnic groups are seeking to be set free from the contraption that is called Nigeria.

Such experiences as Nigerian youths, in particular, had with the Endsars protests, the 25 February 2023 presidential election and the unexpected emergence of the third party “Obidients” as a new political Force, began to circumvent throughout Nigeria, igniting a sense of intellectual awakening among a populace that was determined to reclaim its country. The middle class and intellectuals which had been focal groups affected by the greediness of the political class embraced these notions and demanded for more accountability in governance and the establishment of stronger democratic institutions.

Where is the morality of Nigerian leaders?

The French Revolution had far-reaching consequences globally as well as within France. Domestically, it led to the abolishment of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic in 1792. The principles of liberty, equality and fraternity became the foundation of the new French society, and significant social reforms were implemented. Feudal privileges were abolished and more emphasis was placed on equality before the law. In Nigeria, it had always been a bitter cold struggle between the old ruling class of very rich families who had grown to take the country for granted and the young working class families whose wages, paid irregularly, were scarcely enough to keep the life in them while the ones said to be well connected in government circles evoked ghost workers whose pay they pocketed in their rotten system that was the product of massive official corruption, backed by military fiat.

The French Revolution laid the groundwork for modern nationalism, with a sense of French identity and patriotism emerging from the collective experience of upheaval and craving for change. Nigeria has never experienced anything like that before. But let Nigerians not take that for granted, for its own revolution might be on the way, with what could be its dark side, the reign of terror by unknown gun men and the violent excesses by kidnappers and ritualists that occur daily during this period tarnishing the amiable image and legacy the country inherited from its founding fathers.

Nigerians must realize that revolutionary ideas and demands for liberty and true democracy always spread like wildfire, leading to a series of revolutions and uprisings. This has been the experience of various countries. The French Revolution had a profound impact, inspiring and influencing similar movements across Europe and the world. Today, Nigeria is fast coming to the end of its business-as-usual days. And we pray that the political class would do the needful. Very soon the labour movements will start on a nationwide industrial action to press their points home to government concerning the deplorable working conditions of their members. Unless the government is able to come to a meaningful compromise with them, the lives of Nigerians are likely to get messier and messier until no one is safe anymore.

At this level, there are just a few practical things the Tinubu administration needs to do immediately to salvage Nigeria from crashing and thereby leave its footprints on the sand of time. It doesn’t have to take 8 years to do that. First is to change the name ‘Nigeria’. Second is to decentralize economic, political and military authority from Abuja. Each state should then be given full autonomy as it is done in America to manage its economy and the welfare of its people. And they meet in Abuja to discuss matters of mutual interest to the various states. This situation will encourage healthy competition among the various states as well as enhance bilateral trade between them.

Another approach could be to grant each of the zones created by General Ibrahim Babangida the status of a nation as it is in Great Britain where they have England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales making up the nation and each having the status of a country. If these steps are debated in the National Assembly and made law, all the agitations and insurgency would be more easily managed by the political, religious and traditional leaders and normalcy would return once again to the land. The drift Nigeria is sliding through can also be halted if the Supreme Court wants to use the opportunity at its disposal currently to do so.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and a very significant player in the continent's economy and politics. So the citizens always regard their presidential election with utmost concern. And as the country waits with anxiety for the Supreme Court's final verdict on the last presidential election, Nigerians expect the judiciary to ensure that justice, transparency and stability are demonstrated in the democratic process. A foremost expectation of the Nigerian people is the Supreme Court’s assurance of fairness and impartiality in the handling of any election-related disputes. Nigerians expect the judges to be guided by the rule of law, to be devoid of any bias or external influence, and to make decisions solely based on the evidence presented during legal proceedings. In the circumstances that prevail, the credibility of the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter of justice rests heavily on its ability to dispense justice without fear or favour and ensuring the sanctity of the democratic process.

Nigerian Supreme Court
Anticipating transparency in the court's proceedings, Nigerians will demand a clear explanation of the reasoning behind the final judgment. The court's verdict should be accompanied by a detailed account of the evidence considered and the legal principles applied. This transparency will not only foster trust in the judiciary but also provide insight into the rationale behind the decision, helping citizens to understand and accept the outcome. The transparency of the Supreme Court's proceedings and the rationale behind its judgments are paramount to Nigerians. The Supreme Court must, therefore, demonstrate accountability in its verdict, addressing concerns raised by all parties involved in the election dispute. This transparency will help foster public confidence in the judicial system and the electoral process.

Another very pressing expectation of the people is the timely resolution of the election dispute. A prolonged legal battle can create uncertainty, leading to unrest and, perhaps, the destabilization in the country. Therefore, Nigerians expect the Supreme Court to expedite the legal process while ensuring that due diligence is observed to arrive at a just and accurate decision. The Supreme Court must act swiftly to bring closure to the election-related issues and uphold the principle of justice in a timely manner.

The Nigerian people expect the Supreme Court to uphold their collective will, as expressed through the ballot box. If there were proven cases of electoral fraud or significant irregularities, the court's verdict should reflect the need for justice while respecting the sanctity of citizens' votes. Any ruling that goes against the popular will must be backed by credible evidence and compelling legal arguments to reassure Nigerians of the court's integrity. Central to any democratic process is the concept that the will of the people prevails. Nigerians expect the Supreme Court to respect the choice made by the voters in the February presidential election. If there were irregularities or disputes during the voting process, it is the hope of citizens that the court will thoroughly investigate these claims and, if necessary, take corrective measures to ensure the election's integrity.

Beyond resolving specific election disputes, Nigerians hope that the Supreme Court's decision will contribute to the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country. The court's rulings should set a precedent for future elections, serving as a deterrent against electoral malpractices and providing clarity on legal boundaries for all participants in the political process. By doing so, the Supreme Court can play a vital role in building a robust and sustainable democratic system in Nigeria. Like the French revolution, the Supreme Court's decision on the February presidential election will have far-reaching implications for future electoral processes. Nigerians expect that the court's ruling will set a precedent and contribute to strengthening the country's electoral integrity and this will include taking a firm stance against electoral malpractices and sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated in Nigeria's democratic system.

In the aftermath of the court's verdict, Nigerians will expect all parties involved, including the candidates and their supporters, to respect the rule of law and abide by the court's decision. Peaceful acceptance of the outcome is vital to maintaining stability and cohesion in the country. The Supreme Court's judgment should mark the end of the electoral dispute and facilitate an orderly transition of power or continuation of the incumbent's term, depending on the ruling.

Nigerians are aware that the court's verdict will shape the course of Nigeria's democracy and will be instrumental in upholding the principles of justice and preserving the unity and stability of the nation. Regardless of the outcome, it is crucial for all Nigerians to embrace the decision and work collectively towards a stronger and more prosperous future. It is the hope of the Nigerian people that the Supreme Court will rise to the occasion and deliver a ruling that upholds the rule of law and serves the best interests of the nation.

If they fail, it might trigger a lack of confidence by the people in the institutions of democracy in Nigeria and the chances are that Nigerians would lose interest in future votes because they know that, as usual, their votes won’t count. That would be the beginning of the anarchy Datti Baba-Ahmed spoke about on television and his detractors kept on crying for his head. Whichever way it is, Nigerian law makers must make hay while the sun shines.

• Asinugo is a London-based British-Nigerian veteran journalist, author and publisher of ROLU magazine (Website – https://rolultd.com )