By Sanusi
Muhammad
In ancient
times, monarchs constituted the major plank in public administration,
preservation of traditional institutions and governance. Monarchy was mainly
the exclusive preserve of men except in few cases. It was unusual for the women
folk to rule in most African communities even though a considerable number of
them were influential in the administration of smaller communities but such
influence, including that of the monarchs, was whittled down with the
subscription to modern day democracy.
Despite
that, monarchs are still held in high esteem and regarded as custodians of
tradition, norms and cultures of the people. This enviable status places a lot
of burden on their shoulders; they are in most cases held responsible for the
fortune and/misfortune that befalls their areas of authority.
Whereas a
monarch aspires to the exalted throne of his kingdom or domain for life,
instances abound when such lifetime intention was challenged or nipped in the
bud by society or government. In Oyo kingdom, for instance, the people
introduced a water-tight arrangement aimed at discouraging an Alafin (paramount
ruler) from becoming tyrannical; such an Alafin is usually presented with a
calabash, a clear message that he no longer enjoys the support of the subjects
and must instantly commit suicide for immediate replacement. That was the fate
that befell Alafin Aole.
On softer
ground, a number of monarchs were or could be banished or sent on exile,
depending on the gravity of offence and level of resistance. A Sultan of
Sokoto, Emirs of Bauchi, Kano, Muri, Akko, Pindiga, Demsa, Adamawa, Wase etc
once suffered deposition and went on forced exile.
Similarly,
the advent of democracy, military and another cycle of democratic governance
have introduced new set of rulers whose areas of authority go beyond a
particular community of monarchs, to local, state and times, federal government
levels in that hierarchical manner. Nigerians have through a number of these
rulers been ruled and oftentimes misruled. A number of modern day rulers
whether or not they ruled or are ruling well also germinate in the spirit of
always wanting relevance through recycling of selves in political terrain or positioning
their children and blood relations for juicy appointments, thus, building a
dynasty of rulers. Family dynasty is now all around to perpetuate their positions and end-up
either being literally forced out through the ballot box, impeachment or, in several
cases booted out with ignominy. The lust for power and greed in them makes such
individuals overlook and underestimate the potency inherent in democracy
thriving only on tenures as enshrined in the constitution of the country. One
could be very good or damn bad, democracy still emphasizes terms of governance
on the principle of tenure(s) one can serve but which in most cases an average
ruler would want to extend till such a time he is ruptured.
To further
perpetuate and penetrate this inkling for power, many previous rulers strives
for relevance through recycling of selves in political terrain or positioning
their children and blood relations for juicy appointments, thus, building a
dynasty of rulers. Family dynasty is now all around us as we have in Nigeria of
today, like father-like-son or daughter, or like husband-and-wives in Nigeria’s
corridors of power. This attitude, many Nigerians now support or detest
depending on the side of the divide one is fortunate or unfortunate to belong.
The calls for revolution from several quarters are mainly because of the
general misrule so glaring by many of these individuals who rather than be
leaders, prefer to be mere rulers with booties of office as evidence of power
over and above the generality of their subjects, including the son of man, who
is yours sincerely.
Except in
self-deceit, there seem to be signals of anarchy in Nigeria’s revolutionary
trend (change). The labour of heroes past seems currently in vain just as our
living elder statesmen could no longer fathom why the Nigerian society has so
degenerated in almost every stratum. The Nigerian youths claim the old schools
must be blamed just as elders think the youths are wrong in their thinking and
how they seem to be destroying their tomorrow, thus burning their future even
now. The tenets of national consciousness and patriotic ideals for virile
nation have caved in to tribal, ethnic, zonal, regional, religious and
sectarian consciousness and inclinations of fundamentalism, fascism and
terrorism.
Nigerians
are longer Nigerian in outlook but all valves of salvation are looked at from
the perspective of European, American, Arab and Asian outlooks. Nigeria’s
destiny, fortune and misfortune are now directed and determined in whims and
caprices of foreigners and their diabolic, fiendish interests cosmetized in one
aid, support or the other. We have to be careful the ways we are treading and
minimizing our destiny as Nigerians when indeed the rich are getting richer and
the poor, poorer. We have to be mindful the way we are daily pumping poverty of
ideas about nation-building into the psyche of average Nigerians and the manner
at which brigade of jobless youths are made to be strewn in nooks and crannies
of the Nigerian “nation”, if only it’s one for now.
As Jawaharlal
Nehru of India once observed: ‘I want nothing to do with any religion concerned
with keeping the masses satisfied to live on hunger, filth and ignorance’.
Nigeria
needs to create a vision, philosophy and true ideal to nation-building lest our
so called revolutionary trend (change) sets the fire of anarchy and
uncontrollable bloodbath the way things seem to be heading, most especially
during the inept leadership of Jonathan who misused power and vacated the scene
disgracefully. Nigeria, in the depiction of Kenneth Idiodi, a Rosicrucian sage,
‘is a country where the best is difficult to attain, but the worst never
happens.’
But in
truth, ”should we overstretch the kindness, mercy and favour bestowed on us by our Creator?” It is a
truism that you may aid a man, you may guide him, and above all, you may
inspire him. However, the only thing that is worth having is what a person gets
by his own exertion. This complements what President Muhammadu Buhari of today
and his former Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, late General Suleiman
Babatunde Idiagbon, once served as admonition to Nigerians in the advice they
gave that ‘The present generation of Nigerians, including the upcoming ones,
have no other place to call their home. Nigeria belongs to all and we must all
remain here to salvage it together’. And yours sincerely concurs. Do you?
On a final
note, penultimate Wednesday, there was a national drama series that emanated
from the hallowed chambers of the House of Representatives. The tenure of its
Appropriation Committee chairman, Abdulmumini Jibrin, was terminated for
‘gross’ misconduct. He foolishly, sorry, wisely, short-changed his other
colleagues to insert constituency projects worth N4.3 billion beneficial to his
Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency. His removal offended his patience and he went
to town wild beating the drums of ‘war’ against the man that had favoured him
with the juicy office he was sacked.
As he drowns
to the bottom pit of hell, he resorted to fruitless blackmail and character
assassination of his legislative leaders. He lost memory and exhibited a high
sense of irresponsibility typical of a wounded lion in a hunter’s trap. But let
us forget his body language and appreciate his feelings. He was booted out
unceremoniously, confined to the back seat and made to look like a talking owl.
Jibrin had no option than to rope the innocent for ‘mass’ burial. He hates to
die alone and buried unceremoniously like a wild vulture. But let him regain
his memory as an honourable member to gather the strength and courage of
carrying his cross alone and to allow the innocent enjoy their peace.
Jibrin is
confused with the seriousness of his case waiting for answer. Running from
pillar to post in search of rescue does him no good. The sooner he accepts his
crime, the better for the remains of his integrity and the good for the House
of Representatives. But definitely, Jibrin is in a big smelly shit. Perhaps he
was carried away by youthful exuberance and the love he has for the Kannywood
industry where he possibly hopes to be after his tenure.
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