I recently overheard a friend say that the president's ill-health (or should i dare say, at this time, the former president's ill-health?) which occasioned the recent political rigmarole in the polity, was a good thing. Why? His reason really got me thinking (of course as a good patriot that i always am!).
He pointed out that never in the history of this nation (and i will add: except during the lifes and times of previous great patriots like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Awolowo and the rest!) has politicians rummaged through the pages of our constitution to know what is and is not right or wrong.
In his view, this is a very healthy development because the 'rigorous perusal' (my addition!) of our constitution after years of 'brutal military imposition' (again my addition!) is the right way to democratic growth (and also, as i humbly thought of afterwards, the beginning of our own societal identity!). This 'democratic growth' obviously will come from knowing and understanding constitutional provisions, and doing same without fear or favor.
It is only obvious that no society will improve democratically, except that the constitution is fully respected and regarded as the arbiter of all economic, civil, but most importantly political disputes and misunderstandings.
If the constitution is held sacred, without minding whose 'ass is gored' (forgive my language please!), gone will be the use of 'gentleman's agreements' like power rotations and all other strange unconstitutional 'agreements' invented by 'power-hungry' politicians, gone will be issues of recurrent reprisal Jos killings and other killings across the country, gone will be the numerous attacks by Niger Delta militants on citizens, gone will be the rampant spate of kidnappings across the country which plagues us so, gone will be so many evils that have and continue to bedevil our society.
This once great nation, fought for by brave men who shed both sweat and blood, who envisaged a service to the "fatherland with love and strength and faith", who believed that "the labors of our heroes past shall never be in vain"; now sleeps in never-ending slumber caused by the sleepy portions of greedy men who form 'cabals' and other strange associations to hold onto political and economic power.
For how long will we continue to 'learn democracy'? For how long will these evil-minded men continue to feed 'sleepy but nutritionally unwholesome portions' to this once great nation? Today, Nigeria is stunted in every conceivable way.
My thoughts are that the president's condition (or former president's condition - as you please!) has generated so much constitutional debate and perusal that all and sundry now walk with a consciousness of the existence of a guiding constitution.
Perhaps, this is the beginning of our national identity, the initiation of processes to do what is obviously right and just - allow every state control its own resources and pay taxes to a central federal government, the loosening of the vice-like grip of wicked men - in the name of a central federal government, the 'mysterious workings' of God who has always kept and will continue to keep an eye on the ever-praying and never-tiring citizens of this country...the possibilities are numerous.
The questions remain: will the evil and greedy minded among us allow this? Will justice and equity win or will injustice and intimidation continue to rule? Will natural consciences or hardened selfishness be followed?
Whatever comes out of the present national deliberations following the president's (or is it former president's) failed health will definitely make us all the wiser on constitutional issues and provisions, open our eyes to our rights in that same constitution, educate us on the need to call on the constitution early enough in the future when such issues arise, and of course will decide the fate of millions of Nigerians unborn!
My submission - i totally agree with my friend, but we must decide wisely!
SOURCE: 9ja Land
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