Political violence and threats of war

The recent attack on the convoy of President Goodluck Jonathan in Katsina and Bauchi states respectively is, indeed, an attack on Nigeria and not necessarily on Jonathan as former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, rightly observed. By extension, the attack on the occupant of the presidency is an attack on all Nigerians and the entire country. And those behind the attack as Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has enjoined, should be apprehended whether hoodlums or party thugs. No doubt, the perpetrators of the dastardly attack are out to stoke and fan the embers of war and disunity in already tensed political atmosphere. Security agents should not watch while the symbol of Nigeria’s highest authority is being assaulted by “street urchins”, acting on behalf of some political interests. They should not allow thugs set the country ablaze.

If Jonathan cannot freely campaign in the north, then the one Nigeria credo is a ruse. After all, Buhari campaigned in the south and nothing of sort took place. The attack on Jonathan by agents of destabilization had come on the heels of the burning of his campaign vehicles earlier in Jos, Plateau State. It is curious and worrisome that all the evils occurred in PDP states.

The attack on GEJ can possibly explain why the renewed threats of war by the Niger Delta ex-militants, who felt that their son is being unduly harassed. Unlike other Nigerian presidents or heads of state, GEJ is, unarguably, the most harassed, abused, distracted and insulted. Therefore, let GEJ exercise his powers under the constitution to change the texture and tempo of governance. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo did it. Others that have occupied that post did it. GEJ can also do it. GEJ should not watch and allow “street boys” stone him again. A word is enough for the wise.

Interestingly, the Ijaw tribe is not taking the attack on GEJ lightly. Asari Dokubo, Tompolo, and other militants had after their recent meeting in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, threatened to take their oil if Jonathan is harassed out of power. That threat is not empty. Taking their oil means a lot to the future and structure of the country. It goes beyond the 2015 elections. It is time elder statesmen say something about sharing of the juicy central power, and the structure of Nigeria. The present 36 state structure and 774 councils are lopsided and inequitable, especially to the Igbo, the only major tribe yet to rule Nigeria. Is anybody thinking along with me? The feelings of the minorities and others robbed of the central power are quite understandable. They cannot be wished away. Nigeria’s leadership is not a relay race between the Southwest and the Northwest. They, especially the Northwest, have had their fair share of central power. Others should be allowed to taste it; it is not the forbidden fruit. Power should and must rotate among the six geo-political zones for the sake of equity and justice, and never the contentious north/south dichotomy of the PDP. I say this with the conviction that injustice to one is injustice to all. The Northwest, Northcentral have ruled Nigeria as well as the Southwest. The Southsouth is on the throne now. When will it be the turn of the Northeast and the Southeast? Interestingly, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere and minorities have seen that only GEJ will be in a better position to implement the recommendations of the national conference, which he courageously convened and had therefore rooted for his return come February 14. If he wins, which I do not doubt, he will do so.

The 2015 polls should go beyond listing of what can be done without giving an economic roadmap on how they can be done. Both the PDP and the APC are guilty of this charge. Jonathan convoked a national conference whose outcome is begging for implementation. GEJ should talk on this. He should talk on the threats of war by his kinsmen and others and reassure Nigerians of his commitment to the one Nigeria project based on equity and justice.

The attack on GEJ has already elicited some backlash. The bombing of the APC rally venue in Rivers State is a sign of things to come. I do not pray for more of such. Although the attack on Jonathan was condemned by the APC, but going back to blame it on PDP does not sound convincing at all. All political parties should think Nigeria and its future far and above their partisan interests. Politics is about human beings. It is not about Jonathan or Buhari. The ambition of the duo and indeed of the slightly over 2,000 political contestants for the 2015 general elections is not worth the blood of any Nigerian as GEJ has consistently hammered home. Their collective ambition is not enough to throw the country into anarchy. Nigeria is greater than any politician.The United States has warned of pre and post election violence in Nigeria and its unpalatable outcome. It vowed to deny visas to harbingers of such trouble. But I think that the US should go beyond this and assist in making the poll credible. A credible and transparent poll will largely prevent violence. That is why Jonathan should be commended for promising a credible poll. He assured that the 2015 polls should not be rigged. All election riggers beware!

The onus to make the polls credible lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But INEC cannot alone do it. It requires the support of all Nigerians, the security agents. And if shifting the election will make it credible, INEC can do so. INEC has rights to shift any election. It has done so before, 2015 cannot be different. The sacrosanct of the May 29 handover date does not mean that election cannot be shifted if it becomes necessary. A situation where millions of voters have not collected their permanent voters cards (PVCs) demands for shifting of election dates to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised. Should INEC not be able to give them their PVCs, they should on the alternative be allowed to vote with their temporary voters cards (TVCs). INEC must ensure that we get right the 2015 polls. Violence and war do not pay. Let us avoid the pathways to war. Election is not war. It is about governance. Let ours not be different. Nigerians will support whoever emerges the winner to take the country to the next level. The outcome of the polls will not bring war and bloodshed in the country. The nightmares and anxiety over the polls are unnecessary.