Avoiding Fury Of The Masses

A statement credited to Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, during a recent event organised by a group, “Project 4+4”, in Abuja that: “two powerful personalities have constituted themselves as cogs in the wheel of speedy development …” gives the impression that there is a cryptocracy in the Presidency. What can constitute a parallel government or cryptocracy may range from activities of “two powerful personalities”, to a faceless cabal of an unknown number, working with some hidden agenda. What matters is that such development can have a serious implication, namely: who is really in charge of the affairs of government?
Obviously, behind every administration there is always a back-up team some of who can be self-seeking, powerful personalities who can hold the Presidency to ransome. When the activities of such intruders constitute a cog in the wheel of speedy development then the masses can become jittery. There are usually some conservative, obtuse and myopic power-holders who resort to the strategy of dividing, intimidating or buying people with money and so postpone possible protest by the masses.
Ordinary Nigerians are becoming wiser than their political elite presume they are and they are also aware of the use of Machiavellian strategies in the affairs of government. That some powerful interest groups have some hidden agenda is also a glaring reality. This is the trend by which an unlistening leadership can breed and build up hostility from the masses. There is a wrong assumption that experiences of the civil war would not make Nigerians to become too radical. That not withstanding, tension is surely building up.
Let us draw some lessons from the history of America and Europe. Far back in 1776, the American colonies declared their independence from England, which gave rise to a civil war which lasted up to September 3, 1783. With the signing of a Peace Treaty, the independence of the colonies was recognized. There had been complaints of imposition of heavy taxes without representation and other injustices which the government of King George III did not address with speed. Fury of the masses was demonstrated in what was known as Boston Tea Party – an “agbero” action.
Prior to the outbreak of the First World War, the activities of the nations of Europe were characterized by political intrigues. Sharing and scrambling over the bounties and territories of Africa were parts of the hustling, with Berlin serving as a conference centre. It was not long after such greedy scrambles that humanity was plunged into a global war. It is a true fact of life that those who plot in secret and sow the wind in whispers, usually reap a harvest of fury. No nation can live on borrowed resources nor can any individual adorn himself in borrowed robes.
The obtuse and conservative mode of perception of Nigerian politicians predispose some of them to believe that old tricks can always work in a new era of mass enlightenment. Globally, there is an accelerated movement of human consciousness, such that those who move backward or stand still run the risk of being forced into motion, with bruises. Similarly, those who prey upon unsuspecting masses as parasites would reap some harvest of fury, such that what they had acquired by acts of brigandage would be lost by fraud or fire.
Current global events are meant to instruct humans that past wrongs and imbalances are demanding to be redressed. Hardly would there be a hiding place for clever dodgers and those who worship and feast in the altars of dirty gods. The legendary Hygea and Aesculapius are calling for a quick sanitisation and restoration of what had been abused and mis-directed, for the health and safety of humanity.
There is a strong need to prevent a possible mass protest arising from inability of national leaders and power-holders to tell people the truth and guide them aright. There is hardly any worse form of corruption than actions or inactions of leaders which destroy rather than build up the faith and confidence of the masses. Leadership is a sacred duty.
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer at the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

Bright Amirize