By Jilams Odigwe
There is a wise saying which says that “Madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. This is exactly the situation successive Nigerian governments have always find themselves especially this one present administration. The story of military presence in Abia State especially its invasion of Nnamdi kanu’s country home involuntarily placing him under “house-arrest” is already in every major newspaper and headlines in the country. This is an outrage and gross disregard of his fundamental human right also given the fact that three people have been feared dead by this recent action. I don’t understand why the Nigerian government is such a terrible student in learning from his past mistakes, but instead keep repeating it over and over again. 
The Nigerian government is always fond of making martyrs and messiahs of people unnecessarily. The first time I heard about Nnamdi kanu was in 2015 when he was arrested immediately he landed in Nigeria. Prior to that, I have never seen let alone come across that name before in my life and even when I saw the name, thought in my most sarcastic way that it was an acronym. However, the name has now become a household one because of the irresponsible actions of this Government. The term “with great power comes great responsibility” seems like it is not applicable in the country and the citizens who voted for this government are at their mercy. What is wrong with the leaders that we produced in every government? Is it that because of the allure of power, they forget that it is not forever?
Our President cannot give any excuse that he is not aware of this military action before it happens, because he is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and that title is not for fancy, so therefore allowing such a brazen act of oppression and intimidation is senseless and cowardly. This act also begs the question if we are in a military or civilian government because right now, no one can tell the difference at all and even some complete human beings are applauding this act and calling for some intimidating actions. What sort of country are we living in? a country where we close our eyes to the wrong things happening? Is there not even a single shred of morality left in us?
Mr. President, I would have to remind you in my own little way of the dangers that your actions will unleash if urgent and necessary steps are not taken. This is because I love this country and despite what people’s opinions may be at the moment, I do not want it to disintegrate. Mr. President, you have always said that the unity of Nigeria is “non-negotiable” but every single action brings us closer to entertaining the idea of separation especially with the way the Nnamdi kanu’s issue is being treated. Always resorting to the use of force whenever things don’t go your way is not the answer and it has never helped the Nigerian’s political or social landscape in anyway, but rather has increased tension, hatred and conflicts. I will give instances in which force or use of intimidation has not helped this country and I will also give a notable instance where non-use of force brought lasting peace to the country which we are still enjoying today.
The first adverse effect of the show of force was in 1995 when the military regime of Abacha had a run-in with Ken Saro-Wiwa, an environmental activist and fifteen (15) others who were sentenced to die by hanging simply because they opposed the regime from causing environmental hazard and degradation of the Ogoniland. He led a non-violent campaign and was the President of the Movement for the survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). This story of Ken Saro-Wiwa has been a storm that although may be calm now but simply refused to pass and even with the settlement made by oil companies to the tune of $15.5 million, there has been little closure for the people of Ogoniland as the scar still remains visible. This could have been averted if there had been an understanding between the government and the people and even successive governments have found it difficult to reach out to the people because of this incident.
Another adverse effect is the irresponsible and gross mismanagement of the Boko Haram group which still haunts Nigeria even till today. The BOKO HARAM group was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 and they conducted their operations more or less peacefully during the first seven years of its existence, withdrawing from society into remote north-eastern areas. Yusuf’s arrest elevated him to hero status. He later died in custody and the killing of the leader of an extremist group would have unintended consequences which is what we are still experiencing today. Since its current insurgency started in 2009, it has killed tens of thousands and displaced 2.3 million people from their homes. Now, we keep hearing terms like “technical defeat” and so on, but they are still able to inflict injuries and pain to innocent Nigerians. We are not through with the Boko Haram threat, now the government wants to put the nation’s security at further risk by this recent action.
The government of our President must known that every action breeds an EQUAL and OPPOSITE reaction and this is seen in Rivers State in which several members of the IPOB group have gone ahead to attack the Hausa communities in Oyigbo, Rivers State and reports coming in says a mosque and other properties have been burnt. Even the Corp members serving at that location are at risk as they are being told to stay indoors indefinitely.
I don’t know if it is you making these decisions alone, but if a previous story about you reading only the cartoons in the newspaper is to be believed, it therefore means that you are in tune to what is happening in the country. Just recently, the south-east governors had a meeting with Nnamdi Kanu and the general outcome of that meeting was profitable, now with this event, how will they bring peace to the region? How will they dissuade people from joining the agitation for Biafra? You have made every effort of the governors to be wasted all because of your selfish actions. I love this country and despite all we have been through together, it will be a shame to see us divide because we refused to learn from our past mistakes.
I have given three adverse effects of the use of force and intimidation and the one time we didn’t use force, we are enjoying the benefits and dividends. This is the Niger-Delta crises. When it first started, it was more of kidnapping of expatriates and Pipeline vandalization. However, there was dialogue and peace returned to the area and because of this, the oil has been able to sustain itself all this while from the resources accrued from the region. It was made possible through dialogue and this is one of the greatest legacies of the Umaru Musa/Jonathan administration.
The question is have you tried to open a dialogue with the agitators? The answer is NO. Mr. President, with all due respect if nothing peaceful is done to resolve this situation, then your mantra of “the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable” will always continue to be a like a well with no water. This is because it is only then we will know that you are “for everybody and for nobody”. Also, I am appalled by people who claimed to be learned applauding this decisions and even going as far as to say “they should burn down the village”? Yet, they call themselves educated people. I have a question for them. Do you know what war is? Can you stand the sight of carnage? You think writing provocative word in the comfort of your room protects you? Let me assure you that it does not, because if a war should break out in Nigeria, we would feel its effects for years to come after it is over and we should also remember that we are still feeling the effects of the civil war.
I pray to God, that you call off the Armed forces and for whatever you feel this decision is the right call, i may not be in your shoes but I can guarantee you that it will not end the way you want it to and when you will leave office, another government will inherit your problem all because you couldn’t learn from past actions and consequences.
However, if you don’t call them off and allow them to continue with their show of force, I will pray to God to give us the strength and patience to see this tenure of yours through. Also, I will also pray that whatever lesson God wanted us to learn from you being in charge should be revealed so that we don’t make the same mistake again in 2019 because Mr. President, it has been a tense and grueling couple of years.
