Countdown to yet another dawn

Also published in Daily Trust  

Though Nigeria has squandered many opportunities to achieve sustainable socio-political stability and economic prosperity, the bloody military coup of 1966 that overthrew the promising, though admittedly imperfect, first post-independence democratic system in the country, and which was carried out by some reckless military officers motivated by sheer ethnic bigotry, was the first major setback the country suffered in its national endeavour.

Besides, even after surviving the ensuing bloody secessionist war and crushing the secessionists in 1970, the country continued to drift aimlessly under General Yakubu Gowon military regime until another dawn of hope arose on the horizon with another military takeover in 1975 by the strong-minded late General Murtala Mohammad whose regime, though equally undemocratic, was nonetheless uncompromisingly committed to the principles of social justice and transparency in governance. However, that dawn was unfortunately short-lived as it was eclipsed by the brutal assassination of General Murtala on the streets of Lagos in the following year after less than seven months in office.

Yet, after almost a decade since that unfortunate incident within which the successive military and civilian administrations failed to maintain let alone build on Murtala’s achievements, another dawn arose with yet another military takeover in 1983 by the obviously Murtala-inspired Buhari/Idiagbon military regime, which was though also undemocratic, had, to a large extent, succeeded in restoring social order and introducing/enforcing reforms that drastically reduced corruption in governance and indeed put the country back on the right direction.

That was however notwithstanding the regime’s shortcomings and excesses many of which were though warranted by the prevailing circumstances then. However, that achievement was yet again overturned by the treacherous military coup of 1985, which was plotted and executed by some powerful vested interests from within the regime.

Ever since then the prolonged period of persistent degeneration in almost all aspects of life in the country eroded the hitherto revived hope for positive change in the country. Also even the little hope inspired by the widespread euphoria that greeted the country’s eventual return to democracy in 1999 quickly evaporated when the politicians failed to live up to Nigerians’ understandably high expectations.

Instead they have since then not only maintained the status quo of corruption, mediocrity and impunity in the land but have actually taken it to an unprecedented level, which explains why former Head of State, General Babangida (rtd) recently likened himself and his defunct government officials to saints (in terms of honesty) compared to the successive military regimes and civilian administrations.

Interestingly, the former Head of State apparently made that assertion realizing the sheer notoriety of his defunct regime, which is rightly or wrongly believed to have not only condoned and systematically encouraged corruption but practically institutionalized it, for that matter.

In any case, the rate at which the situation has kept getting worse and indeed the sheer magnitude and severity of the resulting socio-political and economic crises in the country have persistently weakened the remaining hope for the desired change in the country. Even the highly optimistic among Nigerians apparently struggle to keep hope alive especially considering the extreme scarcity of leaders and politicians with unquestionable commitment and proven sincerity to formulate appropriate comprehensive policies for sustainable development and follow it through with equally appropriate commitment in implementation.

Nevertheless, as the next month’s presidential election approaches, yet another dawn appears to be gradually taking shape to hopefully arise eventually. This is particularly obvious in view of the phenomenal yet growing public political awareness that increasingly dispels the entrenched ethno-religious and regional prejudices, which corrupt and incompetent politicians developed, nurtured and have always exploited over the decades in order to get, retain or regain political power.

This comes despite the fact that, being arguably the most corrupt and incompetent government in the history of Nigeria, the current administration under President Goodluck Jonathan has been particularly hell-bent on polarizing Nigerians accordingly in order to cling to power even after he has proven himself too incompetent and also too corrupt to live up to Nigerians’ minimum expectations.

This dramatic development obviously strengthens the chances of the main opposition party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) whose unrivalled anti-corruption credentials and unwavering commitment to tackle it make him the best candidate for the job. After all, an increasing number of Nigerians seem to have now suffered enough to recognize the only and bitter truth that only a President with necessary moral integrity and courage to tackle corruption head-on can turn things round in the country.

Yet, as this hope-inspiring development gathers momentum, Nigerians should not take it for granted anyway, because while the long-awaited dawn represents a renewed hope for the country, the few but powerful vested interests benefitting from the status quo view it as a black cloud looming large and indeed threatening their selfish interests. They will therefore not relent in their efforts to undermine it to perpetuate the status quo. This further underscores the imperative for ensuring that this long-awaited dawn indeed arises this time around.