Written by Prince Tubo Johnson Aghogho.
“Liberty is not doing whatever you want – it’s being free to choose what is right.”…..John Locke (1632-1704).
No doubt, memories of Western influence – the European powers, on the political history of nations in the African continent cannot be overemphasized.
So also are roles of the founding fathers in the democratic process of nations of the African continent, as it placed on them a rare position at the intersection of the behaviour of the Colonial Masters and the attitude of their subjects in African. And so, together, they unleashed some of the legacies of Western influence – oppression, social injustice, racism, etc, to the political and administrative fabrics of countries in Africa, which stands as testament to their political history and democratic structure.
And so, as the name implies, the saga and effect of colonialism and neo-colonial rumbles in Africa readily comes to mind as we reminisce on how our politics and democracy in Nigeria cum Africa laid bare. In fact, it is believed that there is no one country in Africa that was not at one point in time or the other that wasn’t affected, involved or influenced in one historical saga or the other with the European nations.
Which is why all the countries in Africa in contemporary political independence and democratic era, have had to contend with the challenges and influence of the European nations or simply put, “Western effect” on them.
Therefore, in what seemed as though an affirmation of what John Locke, a British philosopher and physician stated in his philosophical aphorism, “Liberty is not doing whatever you want – it’s being free to choose what is right”, which laid bare to the fact that Nigeria and infact nations of the African continent were not free or at liberty by choice in the administration of their own affairs (nations), economically and politically at the onset, but by the whims and caprices of the Colonial Masters – the European powers namely, Britain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy and even the United States of America.
It started firstly with the coming of the Europeans in the 15th century through the 16th century with the early presence of the Portuguese, British, Dutch, France, Spain and Germans. Thereafter, in what was popularly known as “The Triangular Trade” – the transatlantic slave trade started in the 16th century (1526) to the 19th century (1808), wherein European ships carry goods to Africa, and exchange them for human slaves, then transport the slaves to the Americas – United States and the Caribbean to work on their plantations and industries, and finally returned to Europe with the goods produced by the African slaves in America, hence “The Triangular trade”.
Therefore, it is no doubt to say that it was these African slaves that oiled and fueled the early production in the industries and plantations in the Americas and parts of Europe especially Britain. Furthermore, it wouldn’t be out of place to say that the legacy of the slave trade and it’s effect transcended beyond that period, and transgressed into the 1884-85 Berlin Conference and also to the activities of the Europeans in the independence and post-independence era which amongst others brought about the racism, inequality and social injustices, which is still felt today the world over.
It would be recalled that by the unanimous agreement brokered during the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference which was held in Germany and chaired by the German Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck, the European powers as mentioned earlier, wherein they partitioned the continent of Africa amongst themselves on the basis of economic, political, and strategic interests (reasons) amongst others, just as the early European expansionist expeditions in the 15th,16th, 17th and 18th centuries had, just to share the continent amongst themselves.
It is instructive to know that before the advent for the scramble and partition of the African continent, the early European incursions were based majorly on “The Three G’s Phrase” – meaning “God, Gold and Glory”, which encapsulated the primary motivation or motive, wherein God stands for spreading of Christianity (religious interest) with a mixture of education, humanitarian and philanthropic gesture. The Gold represents economic and trade interests for the mineral wealth (gold and silver, etc) and agricultural products. On the other hand, Glory stands for the expansion of territories, political influence, prestige and diplomacy in the affairs of Africa by the European nations.
That being said, and having placed the readers in the historical context and perspective by the Western powers as a prelude, let’s fast forward to the era of the 20th century during which political independence and freedom were granted to Nigeria and other African nations by the European powers – our Colonial Masters.
Although the Western powers came to grant us (African countries) political freedom, unfortunately, they did so with the active presence of negative influences, and with the collaboration of Africans, which impacted adversely in the democratic governance, economic growth and development and sociocultural perspective. Thereafter, most of the nations in Africa were granted political independence at the turn of the 20th century, from 1950s to 1970s and early 80s.
And just as the manner and path (the oppressive and divisive system) with which the Europeans as colonizers, practiced and operated the Western system and culture in our lands, unfortunately, it is the same attitude of “divide-and-rule system” that was imposed on us and practiced by our own indigenous politicians and so-called political leaders in the post-independent era both in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, as bad leadership and corruption become the hallmarks of governance. Our leaders are not only stooges to the Western powers, but deliberately being wicked and insensitive to the plight of the people.
Therefore, instances of some of African leaders who have turned themselves into “The Law” as a confirmation for oppressive and divisive rule system, while there are still those who are under the pretence of democracy, act as “Emperors” and rule with impunity as dictators as could be seen Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (83 years old) of Equatorial Guinea who has held power for 46 years; Paul Biya of Cameroon (92 years old) and held power for 43 years; Yoweri Museveni of Uganda (81 years old) and held power for 39 years; Denis Sassou Nguesso of Republic of Congo (81 years old) and held power for 41 years; Alassan Quattra of Co’te d’Ivoire – Ivory Coast (83 years old) who has held power for 15 years; and in Nigeria under the APC government a president would arbitrarily declare a State of Emergency rule in Rivers State without any insecurity challenges and appointed a retired Military officer as Sole Administrator who in turn illegally sacked and appointed Sole Administrators at LGAs and Electoral umpire to conduct elections. Unfortunately, while this was going on, insecurity challenges have escalated in the North, especially in states where the ruling APC held sway, in North East, North West and North Central zones, which are testament and effect of tribal sentiment and political interest for State capture.
Consequently, while we are still basking in the glory and glow of our independence and democratic success, our politicians are basking in the glow of their wicked ways – looting and squandering the resources of the country (and countries), and plundering the economy, at the same time impoverishing and weaponizing the citizens (the people) who they are meant to serve.
Nigeria and African countries have been turned into places where law breaking has become a child play, and it seems as though it’s only those who are in the upper-class and men-in-power who are at liberty to commit crimes and go free, of which incidences of Air Peace, ValueJet and Ibom Air saga are cases in point – a typical reference and affirmation for social injustice and preferential treatments.
The problems we have in Africa wouldn’t have been difficult to fix, as the so-called political leaders in our nations have had the opportunity to have borrowed or copied our governance structure and system from the Western nations as benchmark. However, one of the hindrances that has become a clog (a bane) in the wheel of progress, is “Corruption by a cartel and gangster of opportunistic crusaders in government and their cohorts as business emperors who are supported by tribal bigots and sycophants”.
However, until we do away with or get these political-orchins out of the political ecosystem; until we reject those praise-singers out of their political faceless robe, and publicly denounce those self acclaimed political leaders, it is believed that nothing will change.
It is imperative to know that men and women in the political space who call themselves or refer themselves as leaders in Nigeria and other African nations are seem as though they are tribal and ethnic bigots, and nepotistic anchor bearers who live as beneficiaries through political patronage, courtesy of the distribution of public resources and padded budgets as way of life.
As it stands right now, those who are entrusted, have not been able to deliver in their responsibilities in governance here in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, with the exception of few, others have reneged and failed their citizens and countries, as they continue with the same negative rhetorics and narrative of oppression, racism, inequality and social injustice. Our political leaders have arrogate to themselves as “The Law and Emperors” in our democratic governance structure, just as what has been bequeathed by the Western powers – the Colonial Masters.
For instance, under the APC government headed by PBAT, politicians could be disingenuous, and deliberately subject the nation’s democracy to scorn, as 27 lawmakers of political party turned their state to ridicule and mockery to a status of a pariah state under a democracy.
In conclusion, having seen the characters, behaviours and the manner with which our Colonial Masters treated the people of Africa and it’s resources in an oppressive and divisive system, which had negatively impacted the governance system in our countries, what is needed is to align ourselves (we the people) to the ideal of John Locke’s model of liberalism, and ensure that we are free to choose what is right, by impressing and pressing for strong institutional reforms. To ensure that the social contract between leaders and followers is clearly spelt out. To ensure that in a country like Nigeria where there is multi ethnicity and diversity in tribes, religion and culture, the rights of the people should be preserved and tolerated just as the right to life, Liberty, protest and to revolution, and property to be tolerated as well as obtained in developed nations.
With selflessness, the spirit of servant-leadership mindset and mentality, integrity, accountability, transparency, responsiveness and empathy for humanity, it is believed that it would be easy to fix the problems of Nigeria and Africa. However, in the same vein, just as we advocate for strong institutions to strengthen our democracy and governance, efforts should also be made to ensure that corrupt leaders are routed out and punished as obtained in China. And as Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia stated in what was like a confirmation of a psychological aphorism, and I quote, “Forgiving Terrorists is God’s job. Sending them to Him is my Job”, end of quote, meaning that corrupt, leaders and evil men who perpetrate against the citizens and their countries, should be severely punished – which is a metaphor to “execution or killing of offenders” as a deterrent.
On the other hand, democracy demands that poor performance in governance, should not be tolerated by the citizens (the electorates), and so during the elections, those who didn’t and have not performed, should be voted out, either by way of alignment, conspiracy, gang up and realignment through coalitions of like minds in collaboration with the electorates. This is what freedom and liberty stand for in democracy. May God help Nigeria and Africa.
