Born To Rule is the title of a 180-page book which was published in 1999 by Minerva Press, Atlanta, USA. Author of the book, Major General Jibril Musa Sarki, used a pseudonym to pass on his message concerning various inconsistencies and anomalies in Nigeria’s political and economic arrangements which account for her current plight. Like a controversial old book titled Maria Monk, Born To Rule, being an “awful revelation” by an insider, did not enjoy unrestricted circulation in Nigeria, because of its sensitive message. So, it is likely that many Nigerian elite have not read the book and, besides, there are groups who claim to be born to rule, who may consider the book as an affront to their right or might.
As a fiction written in the form of an autobiography, Born To Rule describes in satirical details Nigeria’s as well as the various characteristics of her ethnic groups. There was a confession by the author: “I was always mindful of the consequences of anyone in authority finding out I had Igbo blood in my veins… I had been warned by my parents…that my hope for future progress in the Army hinges on my place of origin”.
As a student, the author said that he was so dull that he had only one credit pass in the school certification examination. Therefore, to be able to gain admission into the military school, it was necessary for him to become “a Housa boy” which entailed having to change his names. What if Gabriel becomes Jibril, Moses becomes Musa and Sunday becomes Sarki? The author succeeded and has remained General Sarki.
The Nigerian game of survival has to be learned early in life, so that one does not become “mumu” as an adult. Born To Rule as a book, may be described as a fascinating autobiography full of satire, wit, sarcasm and innuendos, pointing out inconsistencies, imbalances, corruptions and shenanigans common in the Nigerian state. Obviously, citizens of a nation adopt such lifestyles and behavioural patterns which would facilitate their survival. Leadership sets the pace and standard, with the political will and courage to do what is right always. Rarely!
The role of the military and the vices which combined to pull down, to a lamentable level, a proud, promising and resourceful African nation, featured prominently in the fictional autobiography. A reader of the work can get quite angry with some of the revelations, if not that the author is a clever writer, capable of hiding his intents in humorous narratives. The style of the author may be compared to Jonathan Swift’s Gullivers Travels, in which national and human aberrations and follies are portrayed in humorous satires.
The 8-chapter book began with the author celebrating his 50th birthday, lavish preparations made for the occasion, the large turnout of guests and the numerous gifts from friends and well-wishers. It was a celebration of success at the age of 50; a success measured in terms of many houses and exotic property acquired at that age; thanks to a successful military career. The General’s birthday celebration was comparable to that of Arthur Nzeribe in London where guests danced on top of sterling currency notes, to show that “the money was there” and that at 29 a young Nigerian drove in the poshest car and lived in the poshest area of London. Great success!
Hear General Sarki’s personal testimony: “As of February 1994 when I turned 50 years, I have had a good modern building in each of the 30 state capitals of Nigeria, apart from a duplex and a big guest house at Abuja…” Gifts at the birthday celebration were over 500 items, with two parcels and three envelopes, one of which came from an oil company. Expectedly, the numerous gift items included expensive household property, a house built in his name on Lekki Island in Lagos, an aircraft and a cheque for the sum of £500,000 sterling by distinguished colleagues.
Born To Rule as a book also portrayed hypocrisies in politics, religion, lifestyles, etc, as prevailing norms whose patrons are the ruling elite. Sarki described how those whose religion forbids alcohol would be served different brands of beer, hot drinks and wines in big and small white kettles, coloured plastic cups and other guises, for social security. Similarly, the worst forms of lechery are practised daily by those who would quickly endorse the stoning to death of those who have fun outside wedlock. Great and honourable hypocrites!
With regards to the history of the Nigerian Civil War, Sarki revealed lots of intrigues, shenanigans and the roles played by foreign powers and individual advisers, which resulted in the outcome of that sad Nigerian experience. For example, proposals made by Northern delegates as means of resolving the issues and to pacify the North, were dropped and disowned, arising from the advice of foreign powers. Same foreign powers and interests advised that as long as population figures are used to determine representation, distribution of resources and political appointments, the North would have an edge.
It was considered expedient that larger population and land mass should serve as bargaining chips if the North would continue to rule over the country. Some humorous comments were added that cattle and cows can boost population permutation and figures. To say that population figures and controversies connected with past census exercises are quite unreliable and constitute veritable sources of distrust in this country, is to put the matter mildly. Large land mass does not always translate to larger populations.
Born To Rule as a fictional book of humour, satire and sarcasm, gives insight into the character of the Nigerian political economy, as well as the mechanism of internal colonialism. The born-to-rule political posture of some section of the country expresses some mindset, as well as how power culture employs force, intimidation, treachery and deceit as vital strategies and instruments of power politics. The danger in letting crude power have a sway in a democracy is that mediocrity would reign supreme. Is competence the goal of politics?
Surely, a thorough perusal of General Sarki’s book would convince the reader that Born To Rule is a work of a genius who does not want to offend or wound directly but provide a mirror to portray the state of the nation. The power game is the crux of the matter and Sarki is intelligent enough to use a pseudonym to tell us the story of his life and experience. He was not born to rule but to tell the truth under a good cover. Congratulations to enigmatic General Jibril Musa Sarki for warning that a nation is in danger where shame vanishes!
Dr. Amirize is a retired lecturer from the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.