Opinion
The figurine, a Yoruba adage says, begins to
walk the path to perdition the day it craves to be taken to the stream
for a refreshing bath. This seems to capture somewhat, the situation in
Rivers State today. The degree of obstinacy that characterises the
disposition of the nation's leadership to the current madness pervading
the turf of Rivers is a clear indication that it truly does not "give a
damn" what happens to the country's democratic experience in general, if
at all it is nascent.
That Rivers State is now associated with the phrase: new week, new madness, is to say the least, niggling. Sadly, those presumed to be the architect of this unfortunate, yet embarrassing situation, are obviously not done until they see through their plans, which unfortunately is impossible in a 21st century Nigeria.
The alternative, however, is to fritter away the gains of the last 14 years of democratic journey since it does not seem to make any meaning to them and at no personal cost, perhaps. The do-or-die approach to the Rivers crisis is bothersome, given the "I don't care" attitude of the lead characters and their proxies. What this has further underscored is the poor knowledge of history of those stoking the fire of this official terrorism against the state. Tuesday's attack on Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and their host governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was against the spirit of genuine intervention if there was any, and to say the least, brutish, nasty, crude, unwarranted and overtly undemocratic.
No doubt, a certain dog has decided to ignore the whistle of the hunter and has headed in a different direction other than that of its master. That road leads nowhere but ruin. The attempt to burn down the entire bush in chase of a small animal will surely leave the farmer stranded when eventually the chips are down. The advice is no longer to discontinue this constituted nuisance, but be wary of the implications of their actions because this is certainly not going to end well. The nation is deliberately sliding into anarchy and the time for true patriots and democrats to stand up and be counted is now.
That Rivers State is now associated with the phrase: new week, new madness, is to say the least, niggling. Sadly, those presumed to be the architect of this unfortunate, yet embarrassing situation, are obviously not done until they see through their plans, which unfortunately is impossible in a 21st century Nigeria.
The alternative, however, is to fritter away the gains of the last 14 years of democratic journey since it does not seem to make any meaning to them and at no personal cost, perhaps. The do-or-die approach to the Rivers crisis is bothersome, given the "I don't care" attitude of the lead characters and their proxies. What this has further underscored is the poor knowledge of history of those stoking the fire of this official terrorism against the state. Tuesday's attack on Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa) Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and their host governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was against the spirit of genuine intervention if there was any, and to say the least, brutish, nasty, crude, unwarranted and overtly undemocratic.
No doubt, a certain dog has decided to ignore the whistle of the hunter and has headed in a different direction other than that of its master. That road leads nowhere but ruin. The attempt to burn down the entire bush in chase of a small animal will surely leave the farmer stranded when eventually the chips are down. The advice is no longer to discontinue this constituted nuisance, but be wary of the implications of their actions because this is certainly not going to end well. The nation is deliberately sliding into anarchy and the time for true patriots and democrats to stand up and be counted is now.
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