My proposal for REAL Change – By Emeka Oparah

Emeka Oparah

(A self-fulfilling prophecy first published in September 2018)

Let me state upfront for the avoidance of doubt that I’m NOT a politician and so I make this proposal (s) with a clear conscience, without equivocation and mental reservation or fear of contradiction. This is the result of a long period of introspection and focused interrogation of the Nigerian political terrain-especially the obviously perilous times we currently live in.

In my almost 52 years of being Nigerian (indeed being alive), I have seen and heard all sorts of political postulations meant to take our country, Nigeria, to the “Promised Land”. At the end of the day, we either got stuck in the same figurative mud we have been trapped in forever or we were cheerfully headed backwards while the rest of the world was flying in the opposite direction. So, I thought of something, and here’s the thing: Civilian Revolution. My good friend , Ken Tadaferua, wrote about this the other day, like he infiltrated my mental faculty. 

Nigeria is held in a vice-like grip by a “handful” of people with enlightened self-interest, who literally recycle themselves using the two dominant political parties, PDP and APC. These fellows change from one party to the other party and back to the former party and then the other and on and on and on! Some have done the rounds twice or more and are still moving. In the end, it is mostly their selfish interests that are duly served. The masses remain the way they are or worse. Infrastructure remain the way it is or worse. And the future, bleak or, at best, uncertain.

Of late, some young, bright, visionary folks have come on the scene clamoring for a paradigm shift and seeking to take over the reigns of power at the Centre. Loud and clear,  brilliant and knowledgeable as they and their message may be, we all know  none can be president in 2019-regardless of what their admirers have told them! No, it won’t happen. And I’ll tell you why presently.

First, they have a clear message. Secondly, their message resonates with the people. They address the issues and mostly tend to proffer the solutions. Thirdly, they are young and energetic, passionate and educated. Fourthly, they are not your everyday politicians. Fifthly, their approach is different-no ethnic or religious undertones to their messages. They are winners any time but anywhere else but Nigeria.

These attributes do not fulfill the conditions precedent to winning elections or, put more pointedly, to becoming presidents in Nigeria. They are not desperate, greedy, manipulative and rich. They lack the guile and ability to hire, train and arm thugs to disrupt the polls; they cannot plot to eliminate (by any means) an opponent they perceive too strong for them; they lack the financial muscle to pay for delegates and buy votes. In fact, they are poor, cool, civilized and intelligent and will do no such aforementioned evil things. So, tell me how they can win elections much less become presidents in Nigeria!

I had thought of infiltration (of the two major political parties, PDP and APC) as a sure way of hijacking the reins of the parties and consequently the reins of power. But no, that too is not going to work. Imagine these smart  men and women in APC or PDP! Ok, they join and patiently stay as loyal party men and wait till 2019 or 2023 to be “given” the opportunity to run for Senate or House of Representatives? No way! The powers that be, the constituted authorities, are too entrenched to let go easily. At best, they would succeed themselves with their children or in-laws (sincere apologies to Imo people).

So,  what to do? Let’s try a Civilian Revolution!!! These “new generation” aspirants are individually gifted in their own different, specific rights and ways. Some are well known in Management and Economics. Others are probably some of the most talented, proven motivational speakers around here. Yet others are gifted in media and mass mobilization. There will certainly be others in the army of young aspirants who are talented in networking, bridge-building and other things. Now, these fellows must get their acts together, literally, and form an alternative government, a movement-Green, Red, Orange, Black, whatever-but a movement no doubt with an ideology, philosophy, vision and mission.

Here’s another thing: If we think we can dislodge the Atikus, Buharis, OBJs, Dukes, Bafarawas, Kwankwasos, Nwobodos, GEJs easily and soon, we must be smoking weed (apologies to my brother, Sowore). This Movement must be prepared for a marathon, the long haul, say 8 to 12 years of active sensitization and mobilization in the manner democratic revolutionaries do. I’m tempted to ask them to take a lesson from Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafran “army”, but...!

Their message must be focused on the collective suffering Nigerians have passed through and still passing through since independence, the failure of leadership, the collapse of healthcare and education, the failure of roads and airports, the failure of security and the fledgling economy and over-dependence on the dwindling if not vanishing revenues from oil. The silly dependence of the states on sharing revenue monthly in Abuja. It will basically  be Agit-Prop (Agitation and Propaganda)-driven.

See, my dear friends, we all know our pain-points because we individually and collectively wear the figurative shoes. The plan will be to awaken the feelings of every Nigerian, young and old, man and woman, to the injustices done to us by successive generation of leaders. It will NOT be about the South East or South West, South South or North East, North Central or North West. It will be about Nigeria, about Nigerians,about us. 

Indeed, it will be about the future of Nigeria, the future of Nigerians and the future of our children yet unborn. It will be about RESTRUCTURING Nigeria to be more equitable, more prosperous, more secure and more developed. The current crop of leaders will NOT restructure Nigeria. They cannot. They lack the ability and willingness. In actual fact, it will be against their enlightened self-interest to restructure Nigeria. Never mind their lip service to the subject or their empty promises.

One more thing: these young, brilliant aspirants must prepare their minds NOT to benefit from this movement, if it comes to that. As we say back home, the man who offers his head to use for breaking Coconut must be prepared not to partake in the eating. Now, I’m not saying they cannot be presidents or governors or senators or whatever they aspire to be, but their ambition must not be their primary objective. If they want to lead this revolution, the kind I’m talking about, they must subordinate their personal ambitions to the overall mission: to change the system. I hope they have all learnt from the simple test they failed recently, when their coalition collapsed.

There are so many of us with good intentions, good ideas and good qualifications waiting to join the revolution to make Nigeria a great country in words and indeed. We are, however, discouraged by the risks, physical, financial and reputation, which abound in the current arrangement. But as they say, if many people storm hell, they can use their feet to stamp out the fire. And so shall it be, if all of us who believe in a better, bigger, stronger and glorious Nigeria pool our resources, our creative energies, to cause the change we so openly profess to admire.

With those few points of mine, distinguished panel of judges and respected co-debaters (as we used to say in those days of School Debates), I rest my case. Before I go, though, let me add quickly this proposal is without prejudice to the other revolution-a deliberate, methodically orchestrated movement of “good”  (educated, experienced, sincere and patriotic) men and women into PDP and APC to gradually infiltrate their ranks and take over the system over time. Being the two main political parties, they are probably the easiest bandwagons to ride to public service and cause the change from within.

Someone recently said to me that the outcome of the 2019 elections might be the trigger we all need to start this peaceful MOVEMENT. May be. Just may be. 

I wish you all a very good morning, and I wish Nigeria exceedingly well.

Emeka Oparah is currently the Vice President, Corporate Communications and CSR of Airtel Nigeria.