Bandits return to the West African coast

 ©️ The Guardian

Nigeria’s new president has taken it upon himself to push the ECOWAS towards intervening in Niger’s domestic politics following the overthrow of the sitting president. There are claims that the intention is to restore democracy but whose benefit would that be for? Nigeria is not in a position to mandate democracy in Niger nor can it tell the people of Niger what government they should have in place. To date there are reports of Nigeriens taking to the streets to support the coup and express their opposition to any external intervention. 

It remains to be seen why newly elected President Tinubu chose to push for an intervention in Niger following the coup. Such intervention is quite unprecedented in the history of the ECOWAS. Nigeria has enormous and enduring problems which one would have thought would be more than enough to preoccupy a newly elected president. However, intervention in Niger is another dubious proposed action initiated by the new president. There have been very few indications of the new regime getting to grips with Nigeria’s social and economic travails to date. 

There is an argument going around that Tinubu is pushing for intervention at the behest of certain Western interests. Maybe this might be a way to gain favour for his administration given the major questions that have arisen about his election. It is also possible that he might be trying win some personal points to counteract the damaging rumours about his past that continue to be trumpeted. Whatever his reason are the possibility that he is doing the bidding of Western powers is another blow to his integrity and credibility. 

The idea of some African leaders interfering in the internal affairs of other African countries does not sit well in the best of circumstances. However, the possibility of it being done to serve foreign interests would be an outrage which harks back to the days of the Slave Trade. Africans selling out their kith and kin for distilled alcohol and glass beads. This isn’t a prospect that anyone wants for the continent. 

Here I am

©️Hannah Buckman

The thrill and relief at a new beginning

Just like the shock of some new meaning 

Fills you with wholesome expectation

With more than a hint of trepidation. 

Is it true, can it be real?

Did you miss something in all the zeal?

Do you rush in and stumble, 

Or hesitate and fumble?

 

Just as a flower blooming draws in water

Love’s first dawn invites you to the slaughter. 

The prize just over the horizon 

Requires you to charge forward like a bison.

The embrace is so much comfort 

Like a castle, or sight of that long sought fort.

Calories may come and go

But the ring of your laugh gives such a glow. 

You don’t have to be sure or perfect 

Just have faith in cause and effect. 

Be it a fitfully uncomfortable sleep 

Or pottering up hills too steep; 

All it takes is an afternoon kiss 

That’s bliss that just can’t miss. 

The feathery touch to release the valve

The gentle whisper the perfect salve. 

Nigerian Nexus: Hope or Horror

Since independence Nigeria has suffered ravaging and regression at the hands of successive regimes. The government of the first republic was overthrown by the military plunging the country into a spiral of political mismanagement, acculturated corruption and tribal conflict. With the end of military rule the second republic was bedevilled by excess and corruption. Another military coup led to a period of tyranny and widespread fraudulence by military leadership. A much anticipated transition to civilian rule finally occurred and the third republic has been a catalogue economic and social failings by one government after another. 

The 2023 elections in Nigeria will represent yet another opportunity to halt the damage and division visited upon the country by past and present political and military leadership. It will not see the reversal of all harm done by the sheer scale of the corruption, indifference and incompetence that has marked national government to date. The capacity for leaders to work solely for themselves or not at all has been breathtaking. Thanks to the their singularly unpatriotic and sterling apathetic efforts what was once a thriving nation with great potential is now performing at below any standard baseline in almost all aspects of social mobility. The country is not even close to being in a position to achieve any of its Sustainable Development Goals. 

Nigeria’s economy, political system, law enforcement and internal security are currently in a mess. The current government has floundered and watched things get progressively worse. Unfortunately the current crop of politicians are unlikely to have the will or integrity to get to grips with addressing all these problems. Peter Obi of the Labour Party of Nigeria is the one notable presidential candidate who is not completely tainted by the stench of ineptitude and corruption, however there are questions about the people he has surrounding him and his methods. Whether he will get the chance to prove his mettle remains to be seen. 

In February Nigerians will have the opportunity to take a stand and send a message or deal a decisive blow against corrupt and self serving politicians. Whether that opportunity is seized or not may say all there needs to be said about the prospects of Nigeria as a country and a credible nation.