Ignorance of the future, when a newly wedded couple is enjoying their honeymoon is bliss. The couple is happy because they do not seem to understand the full implication of their vow: “till death do us part”. If they knew that marriage is not for ever and that along an uncertain period of time, one of the couple will depart this world when they least expected it, they will not be happy.
When General Muhammadu Buhari and General Tunde Idiagbon took over power on 31st December 1983, he was subsequently arrested and a huge sum of money was found in Government House. When he was asked what he was doing with such a large sum of money he was reported to have said “no problem, Government money in government house”. Ignorance is bliss. He had no worries keeping government money in the government house when there are many banks in Kaduna.
President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) is back on the hot seat as civilian President. But his attitude and utterances on national and international affairs especially on the issue of agitation for Biafra and the demands of Niger Delta Militants tend to suggest that we have ignorant people at the helm of affairs. Why do I say so?
The President of Nigeria ought to be knowledgeable in local affairs and international relations. He/ She must be detached from himself/herself and be well connected with the citizens of Nigeria. As the number one citizen, his/her duty is to listen to Nigerians and ensures that he delivers service according to the law and yearnings of Nigerians even when that did not co-inside with his/her own desire. That is democracy.
On the issue of demand for Biafra by the wrong Igbo group led by Nnamdi Kanu and co., our dear President is thinking of 1967 declaration of Biafra when it was a treasonable offence under Nigerian and international law. That was why Britain and Organization of African Unity (OAU) fully backed Nigeria against Biafra. That era is gone for good.
By United Nations declaration under reference, it is no longer treason to ask to secede, which is probably why our law court discharged and acquitted Namdi Kanu of all charges. That is also why people Lile Ralph Uwazurike of MASSOB are still there unmolested. These are smart Igbo youths who are making money as fake freedom fighters because they are not representing the Igbo nation but themselves.
Our president’s ignorance on this matter is no longer bliss because he is becoming an embarrassment to Nigeria, a member of the United Nations.
Article 26 reads:
1.” Indigenous people have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied, or otherwise used or acquired.
2. Indigenous people have the right to own, use, develop, and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.
3. STATES SHALL GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION TO THESE LANDS, TERRITORIES AND RESOURCES. SUCH RECOGNITION SHALL BE CONDUCTED WITH DUE RESPECT TO THE CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND LAND TENURE SYSTEMS OF THE INDEGINOUS PEOPLE CONCERNED” Emphasis added.
The question is why did the United Nations make this and other declarations in 2007? The UN found out that conflict in Africa is due to the fact that most natural resources like crude oil, solid minerals and precious stones are found in the minority areas while the majority kind of controls the resources outside their domain largely in oppression of the minorities.
Article 26(3) makes a demand on Nigeria, not only to repeal draconian laws like Land Use Act 1978 but also expunge oppressive clauses in her constitution like …”Nigeria is indivisible and indissoluble…”It is provisions like this that emboldens despots masquerading as democrats to force unity down the throat of unwilling Nigerian ethnic nationalities.
Our president must bow to the wishes of prominent Nigerians and elder statesmen who are opinion leaders in their domain to re-negotiate Nigeria along the lines of resource control and devolution of powers. This is against the background that it is the military establishment that imposed the present unitary system of government on Nigeria and Nigerians through the barrel of the gun on 15th January 1966 when it abolished the regions and extinguished their autonomy and right to resource control.
Those unpatriotic Nigerians who are against restructuring Nigeria are unwittingly fast tracking the disintegration of Nigeria. Once we have a system of governance that is based on equity in the distribution of political power, merit while building an equal opportunity society, Nigeria will be great and assume her natural position as the giant of Africa.
(Today.ng)
