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Opposition Without Opposites …Of Lai Mohammed, Jonathan, Nation Cohesion
When the legendary American Rights activist and inspirational speaker, Malcom X, at the peak of his advocacy, once said, we owe our knowledge not to those who have agreed but more to those who have differed, he was highlighting the true value of divergent views on a given societal or even national malady, need or concern.
His view was that man’s civilisation and indeed need to conquer man’s environment, in science, technology and even social engineering can be better enhanced by those who regularly search for and provide society with viable alternatives to living.
Malcom X’s thinking lends credence to the mindset and ‘never-say-die mien of eventual inventors, who rather than sit idly by, criticise or merely lament inadequacies of others, spent ample time finding answers to the unknown. Men like Thomas Edison, who failed to find ways of producing electricity bulb among others after 25,000 times, considered his attempts as fresh knowledge in how not to make bulbs. Today, the world is better for it.
As in science, so also it is in politics because, Malcom X believed that a viable opposition is an invaluable asset in politics and governance, as it offers or should offer alternative views on any issue of national or societal importance. It was that same drive that pushed Malcom X and other rights activists before him to relentlessly highlighting the essence of human equality, devoid of colour, race or sex, even if the norm then, was white supremacy.
Frankly, it is safe to conclude that the seeming political success of advanced democracies like the United States of America (USA) and Britain stems from the quality of the opposition at any given time. Since no nation of men can stay stagnant, different moments are naturally defined by different issues, hence , the need to weigh different alternatives towards achieving positive results.
About four years ago, for instance, the issues that defined America’s Presidential polls between incumbent Republicans, with Senator John McCain as arrow-head, and challenging Democrats led by then Senator Barack Obama, were the increasingly unacceptable job losses through outsourcing of manufacturing concerns, troops withdrawal after the American-led coalition invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the economy, Immigration concerns and, above all, the controversial tax cuts to the same big manufacturing concerns accused of outsourcing productive jobs.
On the war on terror, for instance, while the seemingly weak America, would be a threat to global peace as tyrants and terrorists would frequently attempt to undermine the key values of freedom and economic competition and eventually threaten democracy across a religiously polarised world, Democrats thought differently. Expectedly, Republicans favoured a sustained or even improved troops deployment to the war-torn countries of Iraq and Afghanistan. That was in spite of worrisome American deaths, and increasing outcry of families of troops to return.
On the other hand, Democrats reasoned that strength and wisdom should not be opposing values. Both should instead move hand-in-hand. Therefore, rather than frequently dramatise the American military might in conquest after conquest, a broad-based viable coalition and cooperation among nations would be a better alternative to executing the war on terror. That, rather than commit huge American resources and troops, better intelligence gathering, through improved relations with various governments would be key.
In the end, on the question of who would make a better Commander-in-Chief, Americans preferred little-experienced Barack Obama to McCain even with the latter’s amazing military pedigree and experience as a war hero.
Less than three years after, Barack Obama’s style succeeded in the capture and killing of the main master-mind of the September 11, 20o1 terror attack on the US, Osama Bin Laden along with countless other co-travellers.
Such is the beauty of a vibrant opposition, not the colourless kind Nigeria has endured in the hands of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), since the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. Rather than knowing when to forge a common ground for national good and providing viable alternatives to national concerns, what the ACN through its Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed has offered is a colourless opposition without clearly discernable opposite views.
From the fuel subsidy removal down to the recent review of electricity tariff, from the suspension of the former Appeal Court President to the debate of Sovereign Wealth Fund, and from the menace of the Boko Haram in parts of the North to the on-going investigation into activities of rogue petroleum products marketers who, for most of penultimate week, held Abuja hostage by refusing to move products to end users, the ACN and indeed other political parties are yet to advance clearly discernable options except attacking the office and person of the President.
Addressing the opening of 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) August 28, 2012 Jonathan had appealed to Nigerians to be patient because most of what his government has been battling to address were concerns of years of neglect which cannot be wished away over-night. He assured that by 2013, all the criticisms of his government and his person would wane since Nigerians would, by then, start to reap the fruits of his silent revolution and service. Being human, the President also added that he is the most criticised head of state even if most of the problems being addressed were inherited and assured that there is, indeed, light at the end of the tunnel.
This, to Lai Mohammed, the ACN mouth-piece, translates to admission of incompetence on the part of the President.
In a statement , the next day, ACN said it considered Jonathan’s position as an admission of failure, incompetence and unpreparedness to govern.
“What a nation expects from a President even at a time of crisis are words that will inspire the citizens and give them confidence that the helmsman is on top of the situation and not the kind of words credited to Jonathan, which are capable of demoralising the citizenry and telling them things are out of control and that he is completely at loss as at what to do.”
Which are those words by the President? That Jonathan has asked arm-chair critics of Lai’s ilk why they were maliciously holding him responsible for the state of insecurity, electricity failure, decaying infrastructure even though his administration inherited these problems? Who does not know that these issues are not like plugging and unplugging a laptop to and from an electrical circuit?
Who does not know that it is easier to destroy than to build? If successive governments had done their bits to address each of these problems, as Jonathan is doing today, would we be where we are today?
For an administration that met a little above 2,000mw of electricity power generated to the national grid and in less than two years hit more than 4.8000mw deserves encouragement not vilification; a Federal Government that summoned the hitherto unthinkable political will to tackle the powerful cartel of fuel importers and marketers and started stalling the near endless drain on the nation’s resources require solidarity not scorn; a government that provides a conducive atmosphere for freedom of speech and Press and not engage in scuttling opposition views deserves encomiums not encumbrances in the mould of vain criticism.
More importantly, no where in the world is a responsible opposition known to politicise virtually every issue, not minding its essence on, and implication to national security and well-being except, here in Nigeria. Which sane opposition plays politics with issues bordering internal security like the threat which the terror group, Boko Haram today poses? Pray, how and why should President Jonathan be blamed for the actions of a misguided Islamist group bent on re-writing the Koran and attempting to impose same strange Islamic religious sour grapes on the rest of the country?.
Lai in that same statement made reference to “Great leaders in the world like Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower and JF Kennedy (who he said), are remembered today more importantly for the quality of leadership they provided their various nations at moments of crisis.” Who told Mohammed that any leader can succeed without an equally responsive and responsible followership?
How many Americans, for instance, blamed then serving President George W. Bush for the terror attacks on the twin towers that once housed the World Trade Centre in New York? Did Lai not see the amazing bi-partisanship the US Congress forged shortly after 9/11? Were their Democrats as distinct from Republicans in the united response to the attacks? There were only Americans, united by misfortune along with a sensitive humanity who found a reason to fight evil.
Strangely, since the menace of the Boko Haram, neither Lai Mohammed nor his party has advanced an alternative approach to the government’s war on terror, apart from blaming the situation on what they considered to be President Jonathan’s perceived weakness, in veiled preference for brute force, the aftermath of which the ACN will feast on in self-righteous indignation. Then, weakness would give way for heavy-handedness and even accusations of ethnic cleansing.
This manner of opposition will not do. If there are easier ways of fixing the endemic problems of decaying infrastructure, epileptic power supply, insecurity and other challenges caused by years of neglect, the ACN should say so, and not create the impression that Nigeria belongs to Jonathan alone, for winning elections to be President and Commander-In-Chief.
That is not the kind of difference, Malcom X recommended. His, is one that enhances societal good , better life, improved human conditions and indeed growth. It is not the type that smarks of jealousy, envy, political vendetta and above all, the ‘pull-him-down-at-all-cost’ syndrome.
My Agony is that the ACN does not appear to be in a hurry to shed its seemingly regional toga for a national one, where it can be properly assessed for its leadership worth in government. Its failure, as an unviable alternative, we now know.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
President Jonathan And Lai Mohammed
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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