From Khaki to Baban-riga

The military due to mistake of some sort ruled this contraption called Nigeria for over 30 years. Before their reign finally came to a halt in 1999, majority of Nigerians complained bitterly over the militariness of the ‘Khaki boys’ and their characteristic looting and siphoning of the country’s resources; intolerance to opposition, denial of freedom of speech, stark brutality, injustice and political imprisonment. History books and literary materials rebuked it in all its manifestations through a creative escape from censorship in favour of democratic rule. This period was even termed Nigeria’s Dark Age by many. A period of suspended human right, an age of fear and anxiety, a time of misery and mishap and a period that engenders massive exodus of creative minds to other lands. It was indeed a time of harassment and crippling of the economic stability in an unprecedented scale. This sweet bitter military regime and the pleasant painful experience of the people created almost an irrevocable and irredeemable vestige even after its demise in the banal of our history.
May 29, 1999 it appeared that wishes have finally turned to reality when the gentle and honorable general, General Abdulsalam Abubakar brought to fruition the yearning and aspiration of a country that have long awaited for a democratic governance that is anchored on the principles of fairness, equality, justice and development.
Today is May 26, 2011 some ten years after the military relinquished the mantle of leadership to the civilians. The drums were beating, voices joyfully sang and people happily danced heralding a new beginning. Hope was rekindled and progressive growth assured, so that the people possessed an unflinching faith in the new system. Indeed appreciation goes to some of these politicians who have lived up to their responsibilities Like the Sarkin Yakin Gombe, Alh. Danjuma Goje, a world standard democratic leader of outstanding repute.

Unfortunately today, ten years into this craved democratic rule, the sirens are still blaring, the guns are still shooting, the rulers are still flaunting their avaricious tendencies for looting and corruption, traditional rulers who are suppose to be the custodians of the people’s culture are taking part in exploiting their own people, the leaders are still parading their insensitivity to the suffering of the people; the people are still hungry and dehumanized and voices that refused to give-up are voicing out the dilapidated, deplorable, marred, unhealthy and suffocating hot dusty air the people are coerced to breath in. Post military regime has not being able to heal the wounds of military regime. Post military rulers have not being able to correct the mistakes of their predecessors. This is because there was just a mere change of uniform from khaki to babanriga; there was no change of purpose and intention. Somehow they have not gone back to the barracks; they only entered a dressing room and change attires to continue from where they stopped. Many of these politicians are former soldiers; some of them are trained by soldiers; there is something militaristic in them. What has suddenly gone wrong with the hope of the people? Deceits, hypocrisy, disgusting shenanigans have characterized this nascent democracy. To solve these problems will require that an honest intention is undertaking to identify their direct opposites and reverse them or substitute them.

In the next few days, May 29, 2011 there is another inauguration. We hope that it is not going to be an inauguration of improved deceit, selfishness, jiggery-pokkery and complete lack of commitment and responsibility to Nigeria. We in Gombe State are grateful to God for given us the best replacement of Alh. Danjuma Goje in the person of Alh. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo (OON) whom we belief will follow in his selfless foot steps. Gombawas lets pray for him, he is another TRANSFORMER.

Nigerian politicians do not fail democracy. Do not make it look like it is not going to work here, because it will. It is the best we can get for now. God bless Nigeria. Happy Democracy day.

The Aftermath

Every action is undertaken for the purpose of achieving a particular goal. What have we achieved by our recent actions?

we have killed, maimed and destroyed the properties of the same people we share the same problems with, while the real enemies are out there doing fine, living fat and still oppressing and victimizing

We can’t fight them like that and win! They have all the soldiers, navy air force and the police at their disposal.

Why are the poor still blind, killing fellow poor men with the same scar of brutality just because of religious inclination?

The oppressors always win in Nigeria because we fail to know when and where the rains begin to beat us and where the rains come from.
Instead of uniting against the common enemy, we cowardly turn to the same people we share the same problems with.

As long as we perpetuate this act, the justice, transparency, accountability and honesty that we have been looking for will continue to elude us.

Guns, machetes, spears, bows and arrows, bombs and knives don’t bring the required change, but dialogue; a peaceful and decent way of turning things around.

Even though we burnt their houses and property, they have lost a little, if any. in fact, we are the greater losers because we have opened more doors for them to steal our money and refurbish what we destroyed, three times the normal cost.

It is now over but the situation has not changed. In the aftermath of burning, killing and maiming innocent people, we have suffered double losses. We wasted energy and valuable time compounding our problems.
We also failed because we did not confront the actual problem.

Now, they have sent soldiers to us because we were killing ourselves like animals in the bush. What an insult! When will the eyes of the poor Nigerians see well and their minds act well?