In a Statement following the killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna by gunmen last year, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, asked the following questions:
“Should the gunmen and terrorists be more powerful than a legitimate government?"
"Should the criminals be more professional in tactics than the government trained security personnel?”
“If our leaders are not able to nip evil in the board, then, why are they there?"
"Why do we call them ‘His Excellency’ when they cannot guarantee our security?”
"How can we see and read about mass burials and be happy when we are not fighting a civil war?"
Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah also said, “We have practiced madness for too long. Our attempt to build a nation has become like the agony of Sisyphus who angered the gods and had to endure the frustration of rolling a stone up the mountain.
“Each time he got near the top, the gods would tip the stone back and he would go back to start all over again."
For many years, Nigerians remained hopeful that our worst days would soon be behind us. We've been encouraged with these words year after the year, and as a religious people who find comfort in the words, 'God is in control', we've patiently remained hopeful.
But then, a candid advice from one of the politicians whom some would argue is part of the problem, may have given Nigerians a clue as to why our dark days are still with us as it was in the beginning.
Ayodele Fayose who was a former Governor of Ekiti State, said "Until government begins to fear the people, nothing would change." This was simply a call to action, instead of being tied down by religion.
Nigeria is presently at a defining moment in its history. It is at a point where we either accept that the country isn't working based on years of struggles and current realities staring at us in the face, or continue trying to make the unworkable, work.
There are agitations everywhere. There is always that someone somewhere who is aggrieved over something government failed to do. But, while it is true that government cannot satisfy everyone, Nigerians would argue that the Buhari government has actually done nothing noteworthy since coming to power in 2015.
Beside individual agitations, there's the most worrisome part which is ethnic and regional agitations. The current tension across the country is indicative of a country in crisis.
All our troubles as a nation boils down to bad leadership. But we also cannot ignore the fact that the system itself is design to keep the country in perpetual darkness.
When a leader is elected by all, but prioritizes his ethnicity, region, religion, and loyalists over anything and anyone else, what you get as a result, is a failed country.
But, it is not like we don't know these things, but probably because we are not meant to be a united country in the first place.
A successful Nigeria would mean no Islamization, Fulanization, Christianization, or any plan to dominate by conquering others. It would mean the interests of all parties are very well represented, and the feeling of being inferior no longer exists. But having a country where the above issues are not a thing of concern, would be bad news for those with hidden agenda.
We know our problems. We know what to do. We also know how to get it done. But the fact that we're yet to resolve these issues, shows clearly, that the definition of a successful Nigeria varies from East to West, as from North to South.
All regions have their own agenda, and their definition of a successful Nigeria depends on the actualization of such agenda. Therefore a successful Nigeria to the North, could mean a conquered South as alleged by the South. As long as regional interests determines what a successful country is, Nigeria will never work.
So why bother trying to make Nigeria work when no one is ready to sacrifice his interest for the overall interest of the country?
Are we happy with the poverty, hunger, killings, and all sort of atrocities being perpetrated in the country by those who say "it's either my way or the highway?"
Is it not troubling and questionable that a trained military, would end up killing its own officers by 'error', while the real threat smirks by the corner?
Is it not troubling and shameful that a group of bandits holding the country to ransom, has more intelligence and seems more powerful than a legitimate government?
How can one actually explain the rationale behind government's decision to keep people home, but spent money on palliatives left to waste away while those who needed it are left to starve and mourn their dead?
It is painful to talk about the state of the nation. How we are able to survive under an extremely harsh environment is truly a miracle, although many lives could have been saved if we had a working country, and a working government.
Finally, Bishop Kukah said, “It is a Mystery, that the (Buhari) government is investing billions of naira in rehabilitating so-called Boko Haram repentant members and their other partners in crime in the belief that they want to turn a new leaf. These criminals have waged war against their country, murdered thousands of citizens, destroyed infrastructure and rendered entire families permanently displaced and dislocated. Why should rehabilitating the perpetrator be more important than bringing succour to the victims?
“When kidnapped or killed, victims and their families are left to their wits. They cry alone, bury their loved ones alone. And our government expects us to be patriotic?"
This is an opinion piece by William Adams via Critical Voices