Africans, by nature, are compassionate people. Indeed, tracing it back to ages; you will understand that our compassionate nature is proven by our desires for peace and lasting unity. No doubt that even in war we are known to providing asylum to our opponents who realistic desire it.
This practice and patience we are admonished to exercise by scriptures (i.e both Bible and Qur’an) which enjoin us to show love to our fellow human beings even in war to the extent that we are commanded thus: “when threatened by war and your opponents seek for asylum, provide for them a place of abode.” For the emphasis, God placed on us the duty that we ensure their security and that they return to their homes in safety. This is because not always those who fight in a war are happy with their participation. And God has promised that He will not place a burden on us greater than we could bear.
In our private lives, we welcome visitors like refugees who we are commanded to ensure their protection throughout their stay and as such we are to treat them with dignity and respect. Indeed, international agencies like the United Nations and African Union have stipulations and guidelines on how we are to treat refugees with honour.
Whether Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or refugees, their predicaments are the same. It is just that one is able to find a place of security at home while the other outside. Their similarity however is that they are both victims of war or disaster. Indeed, war or disaster could either be “cold” or “heat” and could occur anywhere including in a political party.
Recall that the ‘war’ that broke out in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan and its inadvertent mismanagement was responsible for the defeat of Jonathan and the inevitable dethronement of PDP which had ruled uninterruptedly for 16 years.
The warriors in the battle were prominently the following former state governors but not limited to: Chubike Ameachi of Rivers, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Bukola Saraki of Kwara. Their group was termed as G-5 such as we have BIG 5 at the UN reflecting the might of five countries over the whole world, the G-5 were as such powerful over PDP. No doubt, they helped in killing PDP but instinctively refused to bury it.
As they ran to the All Progressives (APC) which I will term as IDPs camp or a place of security, they did not just stay there but contest for dining chairs and tables and were given. They were made landlords over the serfs. But in no distant time they stoked a crisis in the camp giving impression that they were those who caused the war that turned them refugees.
In national politics, calculus of interests is rampant. Some people come to the stage for their personal interests while others come to make progress and development in their national life. But usually as it has always been the case, those who came forward for their selfish interests triumphed. They did so not because those who have good plans are not courageous but because those in whose interests they came out did not support them. Hence the inordinate ambitious ones took to buying supports with the people’s stolen wealth.
It is worrisome that the patriot Nigerians today are not accorded the opportunity not because they are not looking for it but because they are not provided an avenue by the nation they want to serve. Obviously, this may fuel explosion in no distance time from now. Remember that American revolution was effected before the actual war and it was because “the revolution was in the hearts of every American”.
Heroic Nigerians like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Herbert Macaulay, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa would not have fought for our independence if they knew we would be where we are today.
Recall that those who defected recently from APC to PDP on the floor of the National Assembly majorly were those who defected from PDP to APC in 2014. Whose interest are they serving? That should be the question in the minds of true Nigerians.
If those who killed PDP travelled to APC have killed APC to run back to PDP only to resurrect it; in whose interests are they doing? Should we celebrate them as our Jesus Christ?
Remember biblically that the resurrection of Lazarus was effected by Jesus Christ but Jesus was not the one who caused his death but he manifested his power in selfless ministry. That is what true leadership is all about. Leadership should be of selfless service.
In time like this we are to be empowered by moral armament for the sake of our dying nation and its democracy. Only that would enable us to put those who called themselves the angels of the people but are the people’s enemies to shame.
Obviously, to secure the Nigeria of our dreams, we must know who our enemies are and what form they take. They are not APC or PDP but those who make fire and leave us in its flames. They are refugees who after robbing Peter go to Paul.
The recent defection of some APC senators to PDP should not be celebrated. Just like a visitor, no matter how long he stays, he will certainly go back to his house and may come back. It is for us Nigerians to give them a special place: certainly not in our hearts!
Otiwe writes from Lokoja, Kogi state
