Nigeria and Idea of Failed States

MUCH ADO ABOUT FAILED STATE

Any avid observer of the media would have noticed the emergence of a new popular phrase, ‘failed State’ being sang all over the place particularly by politicians. When the United States of America started the whole episode in 2000 with its prophesy of doom for the country, some us were not a little bit flustered given the height to which we have taken American proficiency and Intelligence. Following that warning, not a few of us engaged the former administration of Olusegun OBASANJO on the need to strengthen governance especially regarding our national institutions and infrastructure. To what extent he responded to our clarion call, is best left for all and posterity to judge.

However, the ‘euphoria’ generated by that ‘American Magic’ barely lasted a few weeks before fizzling out of national discuss. Lest we forget, this was the year 2000 and no elections were in sight as the country just emerged from one. Now, the case is different – hardly any member of the political opposition would end his speech or remarks without inserting that sacred phrase, ‘failed State’. One begins to wonder who these complainants are warning and what really are their objectives?

The situation is baffling due to so many reasons. Yes, it is true that much of our national infrastructure remains in sordid state but the situation has improved in so many critical sectors. Power supply seemed to have worsened in the better part of the current administration but in the last few months the signs have been increasingly positive and from all indications the targets set for December may not be farfetched after all – may God save us as usual from saboteurs dressed in cabal uniforms.

For over ten years now, the state of security in the Niger Delta has never been this peaceful even if cautiously! Which country is really failing? Definitely, it is not my Nigeria. Some insist on calling this country as a failing State but I am sure it was the USA U-17 Soccer team that I saw vividly losing to their Italian counterparts in the ongoing U-17 World Cup tourney – in Nigeria! Given the euphoria that trailed their momentary equalizer, I am sure for those lads at that very moment, there was no better place to be than Nigeria!

Existing facts shows that a month before the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war, even the US could not predict whether the country would disintegrate or not – this concerns a conflict that eventually consumed one million lives! Yet, in today’s more complicated global environment, they have kept telling us for over eight years that our State would collapse in the next six years. Except the US plans to cause such a collapse themselves, we would continue with our positive Nigerian ways while telling ourselves the truth about the things that lower us before the eyes of the world. That includes the attitude of some of our politicians, who have been lethargic in learning nationalism and patriotism.

I was prompted to write this piece on account of remarks by my erstwhile idol, former Head of State Muhammadu Buhari, who joined the fray of those chanting, ‘failed State’. Earlier remarks of other politicians concerning the issue never hit home with me but Buhari’s statement made me realize the truth about the real motives behind the trend. My respect for the former leader remains intact as he still remains an icon in an arena where there are few. However I believe that being well informed as he is on global politics and the likely implication of that statement, he might have gotten carried away with his usual feisty passion. Yet, his stance cleared certain misperceptions for me.

My earlier impression was that the recently recurring alarm being raised on account of failing State was motivated by need for greater performance by public officials. On the contrary, I suspect a sense of frustration among some politicians, as apparently some of the promoters are hardly interested in any current development programmes. Rather they merely wish to weaken the popularity of those in Government by associating the perceived impending failure of the State to the performance of the current administration. What a ruse! The performance of this administration is one thing and the US forecasts that Nigeria is failing, is another. The indices used to justify that forecast have been here with us since 1979 and possibly beyond.

This issue has severally filled me with disgust hence I was previously tempted to write to my heart’s content before another truth it hit me again! Note that earlier in this piece I had revealed how the ‘failed State hype’ had fizzled out quickly in 2000 when it originally emerged. I decided against writing much as current reality dawned on me thus: it is 2009 and elections are everywhere around the corner. It is the season of politics and even the matter of State Failure has become a political anthem. The question is: must we play politics with everything including those that weaken and destroy the same country we aspire to lead or govern. Is this a paradigm shift in the practice of political hypocrisy? This is our food for thought.

Ibinabo Jack is a regular contributor to reliablereporters.com