Many years ago, the Mahatma had a choice to make. British high handedness had risen to intolerable heights and throughout all of India , terror , oppression and intimidation walked the Land.
Like the Israelis of the biblical era who were tormented by the Romans, Indians wanted a messiah who would free them from the overbearing excesses of the British overlords.
Mahatma Ghandi the small man with a British professional training fitted the billing. He had the reputation. He had the exposure and India looked up to him.
Where his fellow country men and women expected violence and what Mosaic law could have referred to as an eye for an eye, Ghandi thought differently. He chose a non violent revolt that would get the British running, punished by conscience and a change that was obviously to come.
In Abuja, a close parallel was drawn. A group of Rivers people who only wanted their voices to be heard marched through the streets. Their mission, to recount their experiences and to ask for the freedom only to inspect electoral material.
Where their friends in the PDP would bear weapons, they only clutched letters cataloguing the dishonour of orders of the tribunal refused. They came in peace believing sincerely in inalienable rights guaranteed by our constitution and the change that is come.
Change may have visited Nigeria but not so for the police. In a reaction reminiscent of the Mbu days, the peaceful marchers of the APC got a dose of what change means, at least to the police. The protesters were tear gassed in front of the symbol of our democracy – the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC.
I still can't find words to describe the whole thing. What offence did the protesters commit? Why were they so shabbily treated? Why? Why? Why?
For a long time, it would be difficult to find answers, difficult to understand why members of the Rivers APC continue to be at the receiving end.
The road to justice isn't easy. It is rough. It is bumpy and no one and I'm sure in the APC in Rivers State expected it to be a stroll in the park.
While we condemn the brutality of the police, it is proper to note that the world stares at the horror emanating out of Nigeria.
Once again, the police have put the issue on the front burner. Across the nation and across the civilised world questions are being asked.
Victory would certainly come to the oppressed people of Rivers State who continually engage institutions of state non violently. Then would the concept of non violence that Ghandi heralded and which has found expression among decent minded Rivers people make sense. Then would the sacrifice of the leaders of the Rivers people, who have found accommodation in the APC be appreciated.
Back home DAP as Dakuku is fondly called carries the burden of truth, not just of what happened in our backyard, but of leadership.
He has remained focused. He has remained civilised as he leads his people through the Red Sea to the promised land. Like Ghandi, he continues to turn the other cheek. Like Ghandi, he urges his followers on.
No amount of intimidation, threat to live and bodily harm to the APC faithful has stopped the struggle. Here lies the unique parallel between DAP and Ghandi and what I see as the Rivers struggle and the Ghandian experience.
Again my mind drifts to the era of mind-boggling colonialism when inequality reigned supreme, when rights were defined by those who thought them self mighty. And I couldn't but reflect on the task that Ghandi had – the task of ending the brutal shooting of defenceless people, their dehumanization in public and desecration of all they hold dear.
I remember the fight to be free, the fight that Amaechi fought. I remember it all and much more. I remember the humiliation planned for this son of the Niger Delta by halfwits whose eyes of greed and deadly envy are not fixed on unfolding history.
I remember their betrayal, the plots and sub plots. I remember their failed dreams as well. And now we see their vengeful campaigns against the architect of the common-sense revolution.
Now we can feel their despair in the tales they spin, in their restlessness since Amaechi caused the greatest political offset that this nation has ever seen as campaign director. Yes we can see.
Can Dakuku, a disciple of the revolution see how many Rivers he has to cross? Can he see his place in history as the journey begins? Can he see that those who seek to annihilate Amaechi dig graves for him too?
Can he see that some of them are embedded even within his circles? That they seek his attention and engage in painstaking eye service at the least opportunity?
I guess so and having to go through the wilderness as he has, appears to be a foundation for acquiring the lore and the sense of humanity that he needs to serve.
Yet it would be necessary to seek two reliefs. First, we demand the police be called to order at once. The police, a symbol of a dark and shabby past must take a cue from the change in attitude, the change in managerial style and sense of decency that the Buhari administration seeks to put in place.
The second thing to demand despite asking for a change of heart by the police is INEC's compliance with court orders.
One of the foundations upon which all great democracies stand is respect for the rule of law. INEC maybe independent but it is certainly not above the law and those who man the commission have to put this behind their mind.
Accordingly, INEC owes Nigerians an apology. How can it explain it's contempt for the pronouncement of tribunals set up by law? How can it justify its attempt to tilt the scale of justice? Why would INEC not remain impartial when it comes to resolving differences between two parties or differences which cast serious blots on the sanctity of our democracy and the outcome of elections?
The elections have come and gone and it is time INEC rose above petty bias. Above all it ought to show promise of some transparency and some fairness. It is not INEC which is on trial. It is the conduct of it's field agents and the elections that are up for examination.
But the APC on a final note must stand its ground. Never again would thieves and thugs hold a people to ransom. Never again! And this message has to be taken way down the line until the impunity in our midst is flushed out and the right to choose is restored.
By Hon. Ogbo Nwuke
Hon. Ogbo Nwuke, former member House of Representative APC candidate for Ethch/Omuma federal constituency and he writes from Abuja
0 comments :
Post a Comment