Political crisis has crippled socio-economic and political developments of African independent nations. Its continuous destabilizing and destructive effects on international relations and on Africans makes it seem an integral part of African political culture; a culture that has enriched a microscopic few selfish political elites and impoverish the mass majority of the people; a culture that makes the most endowed continent on earth live by the help and mercy of Europe and America. That culture, if ever, which impedes sustainable development, effective harnessing and management of the endowed resources should, by any means, be done away with. But how?
According to medical doctors, diagnosing the cause of an illness or sickness is the first step to curing it. What, then, is the cause of political crisis and instability in Africa?
Research, experience, and time have shown that, among other factors, a major undeniable cause is that some unpatriotic politicians cum leaders put sectional and selfish interest against national interest. Thus “igniting the fire” of political unrest is a tactic to remain politically alive and hang on to power. While doing this to remain perpetually in power, they continually reassure the people of their love and readiness to serve. I wonder how destruction of lives and properties of fellow citizens is a way of displaying love for the nation and the people to be served. What role are Africans playing to curb this menace?
Nigerians have surprised political observers and commentators by still remaining in one piece after and in the face of the recent political tension in the country. Nigeria was at the brink of tearing apart because of the leadership vacuum created by long absence of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua due to ill health, and the process to handing over power to the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, 52, from Bayelsa State (south-south zone).
Usually such situation would lead to destruction of lives and properties. But that was not to be the case. Rather it was seen as a test of the nation’s democracy; a test whether sectional cum zonal interest would prevail over national interest; a test whether democracy is the government of few politicians or the government of the people. Nigerians have shown that they are stake holders in the governance of their nation by putting aside ethnic, religious, and even political differences (apart from few unpatriotic politicians) to ensure that the constitution and the rule of law prevail against all odds. Such is the spirit expected of good citizens for one, united, strong, and progressive nation-state.
On 23 November, 2009, President Yar’Adua, 59, from Katsina State in northern Nigeria embarked on a medical trip to Saudi Arabia. He was admitted at King Faisal Specialist and Research Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for what his private doctor, Idris Akinbajo, called Pericarditis.
Section 145 of 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires the president to transmit a letter to both the Senate President and the speaker of the House of Representatives to that effect.
But for the reason yet unknown the president did not transmit such letter. But while some politicians were busy scheming on how to capitalize on the situation for their selfish interest, human right groups and the generality of the people - north, south, east, and west - proved that Nigeria is bigger than any individual or group of individuals, and that the nation is for all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion, zone, and political party.
After peaceful protests and court cases, the National Assembly on 9 February 2010 transferred leadership power to the vice president as Acting President. The Senate President, David Mark said that the decision was based on the interview President Yar’Adua carried out with BBC on 12 January, 2010.
Though this political crisis which brought the government to a halt was amicably resolved, the questions still remain: Have Nigerians learnt their lesson? Would this be a real uniting factor? Will the Rule of Law always prevail?
While the whole world wait for the answers, African nations must shone politics based on ethnicity and favouritism. It must not be forgotten that socio-economic growth can only be achieved when there is peace and political stability in a country.
Media Blackberry
