Echoes From NPSA Conference In PH …Dialogue Needed To Douse Tension – Prof Shuaibu Ibrahim

Political scientists in Ni
geria particularly, and all over the world generally, have great responsibilities in contemporary times. Even in the United States, United Kingdom and Russia today, people are not only concerned with issues of security, terrorism; and foreign relations. They are increasingly focusing also on the declining relevance of political parties, impact of elections, role of money in politics, and internal party democracy.’ Political Scientists have serious responsibilities to humanity today especially in Africa. The world is passing through turbulent times due to conflicts, wars, terrorism, transnational crimes, climate change and others, all of which require leadership and robust patterns of international relations, cooperation and collaboration.
In Africa, just emerging from the throes of military rule, sit-tight rulers and wars, terrorism which stormed the continent in 1998 with the attack on US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya is now threatening to take root and expand. The Al-Qaeda, Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Al-Shabaab, as well as Boko Haram are currently tormenting the continent. . New strategies are constantly needed for combating their menace, and Political Scientists must be up-and-doing in this direction.
This is because as Nwolise rightly noted:
“it is the duty of the Political philosopher to provide ideas and principles for policy makers and security operators to perform their functions. Whether or not the policy makers accept and utilize the ideas, and principles made available by the Political Philosopher is a different issue’’,
Political Scientists need to sit up, especially in Nigeria and Africa. There is an inverse relationship today between the growth of Political Science Departments, and by implication, Political Scientists, and their impact on the politics and good governance in the nation and continent. We must strive to infuse back science into political science, and the practise of politics and governance. We have great role to play in redirecting the course of Nigeria’s and Africa’s political history through teaching, research, advocacy and service.     . Even the names of Departments need streamlining. There are: Department of Government, Department of Public Administration, Department of Local Government, Department of International Relations and History etc.
The Association must challenge vices in the land-corruption, Xenophobia, ethnicity, religious crisis, sit-tightism, injustices, etc. Political Scientists can take leave to serve in the National Assembly.
Under the government of President Ibrahim Babangida, no serious committee lacked Political Scientists. In MAMSER, Political Bureau, and the Constituent Assembly, we were there. The NPSA under Professor J. Ayoade, had audience with President Babangida when all universities in Nigeria were closed by the Armed Forces Ruling Council. That audience led to the opening of the universities. We need to work together assiduously to regain the glory of the Association.
The Nigerian nation today needs the input of Political Scientists more than ever before.
The Boko Haram war is still raging, though now believed to be at its tail end. But it must be noted that terrorists rarely occupy territory. Their main tactics are bombing (especially of soft targets) kidnapping, bank-raids, and hijacking. This government should not be deceived into lowering the guards, until they are completely routed.
The separatist movements in the South East and militancy in the Niger-Delta are creating survival, stability and security problems for the nation which further worsen dwindling  revenue from oil. There is urgent need for dialogue to douse these sources of tension and crises
There is general socio-economic hardship in the land, and more and more citizens are going below the poverty line. The consequences are hunger, disease, unemployment, starvation, cashlessness, and increasing hopelessness and frustration.
Many states are unable to pay workers’ salaries as they have become beggars in a jaundiced federal system in need of restructuring.
The anti-corruption war though popular and desirable lacks strategy. In the absence of new punitive laws and an Anti-Corruption Tribunal, there is little hope for the expected level of performance. For now, instead of being a national war, the anti-corruption crusade looks like government battle.
The foreign exchange policy of the government has undergone two summersaults within 6 months. It is prayed and hoped that the recent policy announced in mid-June will stabilise the naira, improve trade, and go a long way in stimulating the economy. This taking along with the’ positive fall-outs of Mr. President’s China trip and other economic diplomacy trips will greatly improve the inflow of foreign capital and investments.
The country needs effective opposition.
The absence of effective opposition party especially with the post-election loss crises that have been rocking the People’s Democratic Party creates the risk of running Nigeria like one party state. It also denies the country of alternative ideas and policy advice.
Prof. Ibrahim is the President, Nigeria Political Science Association.