Towards A Meaningful National Dialogue

The discordant notes being elicited by
the proposed National Dialogue is only
to be expected, but to degrade it to the level anyone or group is denied the opportunity to participate cannot be supported. Apart from the right to hold and express individual views, the demand for proper and thorough handling of the dialogue should leave the door open for all views.
This indeed is the reason why we commend the leadership of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue for coming out to condemn roles played by one of their members in shouting down the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole at Benin, during an interactive session with Nigerians in the South-South geo-political zone.
The committee referred to the act as “unruly behavior” which it took special exception to and pledged to listen to all shades of opinions in the areas of its mandate. It also promised not to condone that kind of un-acceptable behavior as displayed in Benin again.
The Tide is particularly impressed with the focus of the committee, which reaction encapsulates what should be the true spirit of the dialogue. Also commendable is the commitment and sense of responsibility of the committee in standing for the right even when one of its members was involved in the shouting down of a governor.
Clearly, some of the comments being made by some persons and groups on the proposed National Dialogue are objectionable, but no one reserves the right to deny anyone or group from contributing. This is more so because the world owes a lot of its progress to the benefit of people who had disagreed.
As un-acceptable as some of the views may be, their expression has given the opportunity to patriots and the well thinking people of Nigeria how sound or otherwise; how dubious or otherwise; how regrettable or otherwise and how politically vindictive or otherwise of the persons that made them. It is an opportuned moment of history that cannot be toyed with.
Given the benefit of hindsight, the demand for a national dialogue has been protracted and almost incontrovertible, but that some Nigerians even those who championed the call would kick against it now is almost laughable. But it is becoming a rather revealing exercise that Nigerians on all divides must not fail to take note.
The propriety of the committee as conceptualised by the Federal Government is as legitimate as the call for the national dialogue now and before. Clearly, the sustained hiccups in the effective running of the country can only suggest that something is missing in the nation’s march to maturity.
Some people have always pointed to the fact that the ethnic nationalities that made up the country did not discuss on the terms of their co-existence. They have said it is even fraudulent to present a constitution, talk less of starting with the phrase, “We the people…”
Knowing this to be true, The Tide expected the discourse on the way forward to be more on the agreeable side. Indeed the Bible book of Psalms says it all, when it stated that “What can the righteous do if the foundation is wrong.” Nigeria must of necessity retrace her foundation, make sure they are deep and firm to stop the rudderless drive of the polity.
We find it rather ridiculous that while the ethnic groups have consented to the dialogue, political groups and some merchants of hate and disunity are drawing conclusions and insinuating doom. This cannot be the hallmark of patriotism or freedom which demands the active participation of everyone towards a common good.
As far as we are concerned, the dialogue has already commenced with the expression of some interest concerning the elimination of no-go areas, true or fiscal federalism, state and regional governance, the mode of representation among others.
The point that should never be lost is that a people that speak together, understand themselves and stay together. That anyone speaks should not be a matter for crisis, but let the ones that seek the good of the country also speak up and expose the emptiness in the thoughts of the enemy. Let the dialogue be meaningful and patriotic. Period.