2019: 'Hypocrisy' of Political Class on Restructuring Unmasked

 

In his 1968 book, The People’s Republic, foremost Nigeria’s nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo [1909-1987], spoke of selfish African leaders who were used to employing deceit to swindle the citizens.

 

He said, “Africa has produced more self-seeking leaders than public-spirited ones. But, thank goodness, the masses of the people remain largely unspoilt and uncorrupted, and are developing fast the technique of differentiating gold from lead and real metal from dross.

 

 

Forty-nine years after the late sage wrote those words, political pundits, however; still believe the political class in Nigeria has not relented in its attempt in making use of public trickery and fraud, particularly when they need the people’s votes during elections.

 

According to political analysts, the U-turn some politicians have made in the past few days on the topic of restructuring has suggested that because they know it is what most Nigerians are clamouring for, they (politicians) are now using it as a bait to endear the people to themselves now that the 2019 elections are gradually approaching.

 

In May 2016, it was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who perhaps first started making the call for Nigeria’s restructuring, stating that it held the key to resolving agitations fuelled by feelings of marginalisation across the country.

 

He had explained that Nigeria, as it was structured, was not working, and as such, it was necessary to take a second look at the structure with a view to reforming it into a workable entity.

 

Since making the call, it has spread like wildfire, with several other prominent Nigerians, religious and ethnic groups backing the former Vice-President and lending their support to the restructuring call.

 

However, as correct as Atiku might be on the need to restructure Nigeria, political pundits believe it was just like a big bait by an “experienced politician” who has his eyes on the 2019 presidential election.

 

Meanwhile, whether the former Vice-President’s intentions are genuine or not, several people have called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to listen to the people’s call for restructuring, which happens to feature in the party’s manifesto.

 

Some have also called for the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference, convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan, believing that it could address major issues affecting the country, including revenue allocation, resource control and insecurity.

 

However, President Buhari has not budged an inch. Rather, he has insinuated that rather than restructuring, it is the fight against corruption and insecurity that are on his agenda.

 

Perhaps more surprising to some Nigerians was the quietness of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the restructuring subject, particularly because he was its foremost proponent while he was at the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.

 

Nevertheless, in the twinkling of an eye, the former Lagos State governor came out of his shell last Sunday, stating that restructuring would bring the much needed balance to the country.

 

He had said, “We may be defined by political borders and boundaries but we have not glued ourselves to collective purpose and vision. Too many of us are born in Nigeria but not of it. Thus, our society is not a collective enterprise as important to each of us as our own personal endeavour. It is a platform, an arena, to claim whatever one can by whatever means available.

 

More surprisingly, barely 24 hours after the call by Tinubu, a born-again advocate of restructuring, two northern groups, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern Elders’ Forum, known for their diehard positions on restructuring, retreated.

 

While the NEF said the North was now open to dialogue, the ACF said it would respect Nigerians’ views on a structure of government that would strengthen the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians for equitable development.

 

Even though political observers said the U-turn of the political class on restructuring was a welcome development, they cautioned that it might be a ploy by them to garner votes in the upcoming elections.

 

Lagos-based lawyer and political commentator, Mr. Adebayo Osho, advised the citizens on trusting politicians on the new recent calls for restructuring.

 

He said it was time the people were able to distinguish between genuine and mere political statements.

 

He said, “Now that we are seeing a wave of pro-restructuring statements by those who once despised it, I think we have to be very careful not to allow these politicians swindle us again. I believe they are using it as bait to obtain our favour again. What they are saying is correct, but we must beware of hypocrisy. They are hypocrites.

 

Also in her opinion, the Executive Director of Abuja-based Social Justice for Women, Mrs. Janet Olukokun, said the U-turn of the political elite on restructuring could be another act of trickery.

 

She also cautioned the people not to trust “mere words” by politicians who have no genuine intention to serve the country.

 

She said, “I am of the opinion that the new calls are not genuine. Could it be that they are just realising that Nigeria needs to restructure? Why didn’t groups like the NEF and ACF talk to their son [President Buhari] to do what the people want all along? Are they just waking up from their sleep?

 

London-based public policy analyst and social commentator, Mr. Joseph Bamidele, also told our correspondent via LinkedIn that the U-turn of the political class on restructuring should be taken with a pinch of salt.

 

He said it was suspicious that they were now speaking in favour of restructuring when they could have done so a long time ago.

 

He said, “We should be suspicious; even President Buhari had been reluctant to do anything about calls for restructuring until recently when his party said it had set up a panel to look into it. I asked myself when they did so, ‘Is restructuring a party’s affairs or a Nigerian affair?’ Why did they need to set up a panel on something they promised in their manifesto? Isn’t that ridiculous?

 

In an interview with our correspondent, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Robert Clarke, also asked the citizens to be wary of the political class, stating that they were the greatest enemies of the country.

 

He said, “The English man says politics is an art of deceit. The better you can deceive, the better a politician you are. As far as I am concerned, I don’t believe in politicians. They are one of the greatest enemies this country has, but they are a necessary evil.

 

******************

By: Jesusegun Alagbe for PUNCH Newspaper