1. 2015: CHANGE AND TRIANGULAR DESPERATION
There is no doubting the fact that Nigeria as a social system is basically passing
through a most challenging period in its one hundred years of existence since its
amalgamation in 1914. The year 2015 is fundamentally and historically important and
specific year that will determine and shape another foundation for Nigeria upon which
the continuity or demise of Nigeria will be based. It is in the process of laying a new
foundation for Nigeria that I am compelled to put pen to paper about year 2015, the
change we need and the triangular desperation that I have noticed as a system analyst.
Change is about the only phenomenon that is permanent in life. So, if life is about
system and system is about life, it only suggests that a system cannot be immuned to
change. If a system does not change now, it will definitely at a later date. For Nigeria
therefore, whether there is a call for change or not, change is definite for her but I
must quickly ask what is the change we need and in what particular direction should
the change go?. This is very important because a ‘New Nigeria’ is about emerge to by
the year 2015. That is the main reason we need to ask these basic questions in order to
lay the solid foundation required for another one hundred years ahead of us all.
This foundation will be layed by no other persons but Nigerians for Nigeria. It is
therefore a great opportunity for all living Nigerians now to contribute to the process
of re-shaping and determining how our collective patrimony will fare in years to
come. I will anchor my argument in this piece on two theoretical positions in an
attempt to explain what to do about year 2015, the type of change Nigeria needs now
and the triangular desperation as I see it.
The first position is the system theory rooted in the works of foremost Sociologist
Emile Durkehim which was later adapted by Social Psychologist Uri Bronfenbrenner.
The theory simply provides basis to analyse the complex nature of human interaction
within a social environment. It is a theory that enables us to understand the
components and dynamics of a system in order to interpret problems and develops
balanced intervention strategies, with the goal of enhancing the “goodness of fit”
between individuals and their environments.
The second position is a mere adoption of Galtungs Structural Theory of imperialism
where he established a harmony of interest between the Centre in the Centre Nations
(ie the government of advance countries) like USA and the centre in the periphery
nations (ie the government of less developed countries like Nigeria). As long as there
is a harmony of interest between the two centres, which is basically against the
interest of the poor masses in the less developed countries, there will be continuous
sustenance of the structure that promote both parties interest.
How Do These Two Positions Explain The Subject Matter Of This Paper?
2015 is a year of decision, which decision must be made by Nigerians. Individual
Nigerians and the political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
and the All Progressive Party (APC) must decide which way Nigeria from year 2015.
What I have noticed is a very high tempo of desperation on the part of the individuals
in Nigeria, the PDP and APC.
While the individuals are desperate for a change (a change that its direction is not
particularly defined); the PDP is desperate to hold on to power at all cost and the APC
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2. is also desperate to snatch power at all cost. This triangular desperation will definitely
bring about a change come year 2015 but certainly not a change that will necessary
improve the quality of lives of Nigerians or quality of governance.
The change that Nigeria needs is a well defined change that will alter the present
structure that sustains the harmony of interest between all political parties and ruling
elites against the common Nigerian. Nigeria needs a change that will alter the
dynamics and chemistry of the Nigerian system in order for it to survive the present
state of less impressive status. Nigeria cannot afford to have a change for change sake
or a change for politics sake in the year 2015. It is a change that must go beyond
chameleonic change, which only exhibits temporary and available excitements that
leads nowhere in particular.
The triangular desperation seems to suggest an hypothetical situation where in a
people (Nigerians) needed to travel in a bus. The bus is however not in a very good
shape because some of the parts are not good enough for a journey at all. The current
driver (Jonathan) is desperate because he has enjoyed the position of a driver having
driven the bus for Six years. The intending driver (Buhari) drove the same bus when
the bus was in a somewhat ‘better’ condition some years ago. He is also desperate
now to take over as a returnee driver. He is seen as a ‘better’ driver by many, while
many do not care to ask about the condition of the bus before the journey starts. The
condition of a vehicle can only be complemented by the expertise of a driver. A bad
vehicle cannot go far before it breaks down or is arrested by road safety corps. Inspite
of all these, the people are equally desperate, they only want a change in the driver of
the bus without having a second look at the condition of the bus. These three levels of
desperation will not produce the Nigerian system that will deliver the goodness of fit
for the common man if the bus is not first repaired by changing the various parts that
are in bad shapes. This is the change Nigeria needs first then, Nigeria can change the
driver later on.
Several years ago our own late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe identified the path a new Africa
(Nigeria) must tred to greatness. He said ‘for sake of fairness to all parties concerned,
a review of the fundamental bases of the philosophy of a new Africa (Nigeria)…. The
followings are essential:
The Cultivation of spiritual balance, the experience of social
regeneration, the realisation of economic determinism, the
creation of mental emancipation, and the expectation of political
resurgence
All the above have somehow been torched by the just concluded National Conference
whose report is yet to see the light of the day. Non publication and implementation of
the report is a deliberate gang up by the government of PDP and any other likely
beneficiary of the structure that the report might actually alter for the good of the less
priviledge Nigerians. The change Nigerian needs therefore is a change that will see to
the;
1. Removal of immunity for governors in Nigeria
2. Require legislative work to be done on part-time basis without salaries, but
sitting allowances
3. See to the full autonomy of the third tier of government and so on.
4. Restructuring of revenue allocation
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3. Every lover of Nigeria, should call for the immediate publication, adoption and
implementation of the peoples will – the report of the Constitutional conference
before any election for a new and truly democratic Nigeria to emerge in year 2015.
Now is the time to send the report back to the people to adopt and ratify in order to
completely alter the existing exploitative Nigerian structure which benefits only the
elite, rich and the political class. This is the change we need before any other change.
It is a fundamental that must come before any other change, if Nigeria must be re-
positioned for true progress and development that is not skewed in favour of Nigerian
elites only. The ‘Change’ or the ‘Transformation’ or the rebuilding that is being
echoed by the politicians and their friends is just a patch work on the existing
Nigerian structure. We must grow and move beyond ‘patch-patch’ work and go for a
major re-structuring. If President Jonathan really wishes Nigerian well and if he is
really sincere and now that almost all the National Assembly members are against
him (for all manners of reason including selfishness) he should be bold and manly
enough to give power to the people, whose resources were spent to arrive at that
report, and call for a referendum to adopt the report early next year and then call for
an election afterwards.
Let me also conclude this article by quoting Pastor Tunde Bakare’s view in an
interview on 25th
December, 2014 in the Punch Newspaper. He said in part that
“ In the book, I stated why I find it inconceivable to jump into
bed with certain characters. Outside of that, I know that with
trustful give-and-take, if Nigerians will prioritise the
development of our nation, the anti-corruption stand definitely,
he (Buhari) has all the things going for him in that direction.
Can he do it all by himself? NO, a tree does not make a forest.
These are some characters that you don’t want to get into bed
with……”
It is these characters that feed and live on the present Nigerians through exploitative
and dominant structures that will frustrate any Buhari that may come up. The
characters across parties in Nigeria will all combine efforts to make sure Nigeria does
not experience the real change needed because they have a harmony of interest
irrespective any political party they belong to now. Indeed, all the parties are the same
in terms of their interest, which is contrary to the interest of common Nigerians.
On the constitutional conference report, Bakare is of the view, as I have argued here,
that the report must be implemented. He said ‘if those resolutions are not implemented
by Jonathan, I will call him the greatest hypocrite that ever led this nation. I hope that
will not happen to him because there are some of us who have made up our minds that
we will demand for its implementation and by the grace of God we have what it takes
to make it happen.” The view is that it must happen before any election. Then a new
Nigeria may begin to emerge for the good of all.
Nurudeen Alliyu teaches Sociology at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye,
Ogun-State. Nigeria.
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