Problems of Socialism - 1982 - Eddie Madunagu

8/20/2019 Problems of Socialism - 1982 - Eddie Madunagu

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PROBLEMS OF SOCIALISM:

THE NIGERIAN CHALLENGE

EDDIE MADUNAGU

Party Building Strategy

Students Intelligentsia

WORKERS Peasants

Zed Press, 5 !aled"nian R"ad, #"nd"n N$ %DN&


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Problems of Socialism: The Nigerian Challenge 'as (irst )u*lis+ed *y Zed Press, 5!aled"nian R"ad, #"nd"n in $% -&

!")yrig+t . Eddie Madunagu

CONTENTS

Pre(a/e

Intr"du/ti"n0 1+e Need ("r Sel(2!lari(i/ati"n

PART 1: NIGERIA TODAY

1. The Politics of Ill sio!" I#$%& '(

1+e Interests "( t+e Nigerian Ruling !lass

Nati"nal Unity 2 A Sl"gan ("r E3)l"itati"n

Return t" 4De "/rati/4 Rule

). The 1#'# Electio!s


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1+e #i its "n !" )etiti"n and Parti/i)ati"n

1+e R"le "( M"ney

Mani)ulati"n "( 6ears and Pre7udi/es

Rigging

!"ns"lidating t+e Ne' !i8ilian G"8ern ent

Its Re/"rd

*. A! +!,e-,e elo/e, C0/it0list Eco!o 2

1+e Ne"2/a)italist 4Re8"luti"n40 $% 92 9

Me/+anis s "( W"r:ing2!lass Re)ressi"n

Unres"l8ed !"n(li/ts Wit+in t+e Ruling !lass

1+e Ban:ru)t/y "( a Ne"/"l"nial S"luti"n

!"n/lusi"n0 Ne"/"l"nialis and t+e ;uality "( #i(e

3. The Eth!ic Mi!o-it2 4 estio! i! Ni5e-i0

Min"rities under !"l"nial Rule

Min"rity Gr"u)s and Present2Day P"liti/s

!"nditi"ns ("r a Real S"luti"n t" t+e Et+ni/ Min"rity ;uesti"n

!"n/lusi"n0 Et+ni/ Min"rity Pr"*le s and t+e Struggle ("r S"/ialis

PART ): A CRITI4+E OF THE NIGERIAN LEFT

6. The T-05e,2 of the Ni5e-i0! L07o - 0!, Soci0list Mo e e!t

1+e Nigerian S"/ialist M"8e ent Be("re t+e Military Inter8enti"n "( $%


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1+e S"/ialist M"8e ent and t+e Return t" !i8ilian Rule

1+e Military Regi e and t+e Uni(i/ati"n "( t+e #a*"ur M"8e ent

$. The A 7i5 it2 of St ,e!t R0,ic0lis

Pr"tests During t+e !"l"nial Regi e

Pr"tests During t+e (irst P"st2!"l"nial !i8ilian Regi e =$%


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W+at is t" *e D"ne?

A//e!,i;: A Co e!t o! N0tio!0l +!it2 i! Ni5e-i0

P-ef0ce

1+e '"r: '+i/+ a))ears in t+e ("ll"'ing )ages 'as "riginally dra(ted as a s+"rtessay intended ("r )u*li/ati"n in a Nigerian 7"urnal& W+en t+e anus/ri)t 'as s+"'n t"s" e (riends it 'as suggested t+at, *e/ause "( t+e )"liti/al i )"rtan/e "( t+e su*7e/t, its+"uld *e re8ised, e3)anded and )re)ared ("r )u*li/ati"n as a )a )+let& 1+is 'as dulyd"ne& It 'as t+en t+at t+e )resent )u*lis+ers 'ere /"nta/ted& At t+eir suggesti"n, t+e

anus/ri)t 'as (urt+er e3)anded and re8ised, and (inally re2'ritten /" )letely, resulting int+e )resent 8"lu e&

1+r"ug+"ut t+e )eri"d "( de8el") ent "( t+is '"r: =De/e *er $% t" May $% 9>t+e aut+"r tried t" aintain t'" ele ents "( its "riginal /+ara/ter0 its )"le i/al ("r and its)"liti/al "*7e/ti8e&

1+e '"r: is )"le i/al *e/ause its ai is t" /" *at *"urge"is (alsi(i/ati"ns "(Nigerian +ist"ry and s"/ial reality, "n t+e "ne +and, and )seud"2s"/ialist )res/ri)ti"ns ("rs"/ial /+ange, "n t+e "t+er& It is )"liti/al *e/ause it )"ses, "n/e again, t+e uesti"n "(s"/ialist re8"luti"n in Nigeria&

6"r t+e reader '+" '"uld li:e t" :n"' (r" t+e *eginning '+at t+is *"": is all a*"ut,

'e "((er t+e ("ll"'ing su ary& By e3a ining 8ery /riti/ally t+e )"siti"n "( Nigerian s"/ietyt"day, it raises t+e urgent uesti"n "( '+at ust *e d"ne t" ("r/e a s"/ialist re8"luti"n "nt"t+e agenda "( "ur nati"nal de8el") ent a s"/ialist re8"luti"n t+"r"ug+ly in("r ed *y+ist"ry and Mar3ist t+e"ry& N" "re and n" less&

I!t-o, ctio!: The Nee, fo- Self&Cl0-ific0tio!


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1+is *"": s+"uld +e seen as an ")en atte )t *y a Nigerian Mar3ian s"/ialist t"rea/+ sel(2/lari(i/ati"n "n se8eral )r"*le s /"nne/ted 'it+ "rganiCed s"/ialist struggles inNigeria, at least "8er t+e )ast de/ade& It is ade ")en s" t+at it /an ser8e si ultane"usly as

an in8itati"n t" Nigerian s"/ialists t" inaugurate a ne' )+ase "( de*ate "n t+e )r"*le s "(s"/ialist trans("r ati"n a de*ate '+i/+ +as *een ade ne/essary *y t+e )resentdi((useness $ "( s"/ialist 8"i/es in Nigeria&

We are als" atte )ting an e3er/ise '+i/+, at least in t+is /"untry, +as nearly al'ays*een e8aded ("r reas"ns "( "))"rtunis , "r "nly ti idly /arried "ut *y s"/ialists t+at is, t"l"/ate t+e s)e/i(i/ )r"*le s "( s"/ialist trans("r ati"n in Nigeria 'it+in a gl"*al )ers)e/ti8e&In "t+er '"rds, alt+"ug+ t+e 8ari"us /"n/rete )r"*le s /"nsidered in t+is essay areen/"untered in Nigeria '+"se )resent )"liti/al /"n7un/ture su))lies t+e /+allenge ("r t+e'"r: 'e are )r")"sing t+at t+e t+e"reti/al =and e8en )ra/ti/al> issues in8"l8ed *el"ng, in8arying degrees, t" t+e '"rld s"/ialist "8e ent at large&

1+e i )li/ati"n "( t+e ter 4'"rld s"/ialist "8e ent4 is /lear t" us and 'e assu e(ull res)"nsi*ility ("r it& 1+is is si )ly t+at t+e )r"*le s "( s"/ialist trans("r ati"n +a8e n"t*een /" )letely trans/ended any'+ere in t+e '"rld& 1+ese )r"*le s are t+ere("re rele8antn"t "nly t" "8e ents in /"untries yet t" ta:e t+e (irst ste) t"'ards s"/ialist trans("r ati"n

t+e political "8ert+r"' "( /a)italist rule ="r l"/al nati"nal 'ing "( '"rld i )erialis > *utals" t" "8e ents '+i/+ +a8e ta:en t+is ste) and are ta/:ling t+e uesti"n "( s"/i"2e/"n" i/ and /ultural re/"nstru/ti"n& 1" t+at e3tent, t+e ("ll"'ing te3t s+"uld *e seen as anatte )t *y a Nigerian s"/ialist t" re("r ulate, /riti/ally, t+e gl"*al )r"*le s "( s"/ialis ast+ey n"' )resent t+e sel8es "n t+e Nigerian s/ene&

I( 'e )er it "ursel8es t" se)arate e3isting s"/ial ("r/es in '"rld *r"adly int" t '",i )erialist ("r/es and s"/ialist ("r/es - =ign"ring t+e 8ari"us lin:s *et'een t+e anddi((erentiati"ns 'it+in ea/+ syste ("r/es>, 'e see i ediately t+at s"/ialist ("r/es +a8e'"n great 8i/t"ries "8er t+e last t'" de/ades& In t+is res)e/t 'e /an enti"n, "n "ne le8el,t+e 8i/t"ries s/"red in A(ri/a =Ang"la, M"Ca *i ue, Et+i")ia, Guinea Bissau and !a)e@erde>, in Asia =@ietna , !a *"dia, A(g+anistan, #a"s>, and in t+e Middle East = e en,et/&>& On an"t+er le8el, 'e /an enti"n t+e intensi(i/ati"n "( re8"luti"nary struggles in #atin

A eri/a and S"ut+ern A(ri/a, a "ng "t+ers&

But 7ust as t+ere +a8e *een 8i/t"ries, t+ere +a8e als" *een )r"*le s, re8ersals andde(eats '+i/+ /an *e gr"u)ed "n at least t+ree le8els& On "ne le8el 'e +a8e t+e de(eatssu((ered *y re8"luti"nary "8e ents '+i/+ +ad a/tually gained /"ntr"l "( state )"'er=G+ana under N:ru a+, !+ile under Allende>& On an"t+er le8el, 'e +a8e t+e re8ersalssu((ered *y re8"luti"nary "8e ents )us+ing ("r state )"'er =B"li8ia, !eyl"n, et/&>, *yt+"se "8e ents '+i/+ 'ere si )ly )re2e )ted and /rus+ed =Ind"nesia, Sudan et/>, and*y t+"se "8e ents '+"se "rganiCati"ns +a8e *een re)eatedly 4ni))ed in t+e *ud4e3ternally "r a*"rted internally =Nigeria, G+ana, et/>& We ust n"t ("rget t+e uneasy ands" eti es *l""dy allian/es *et'een nati"nalist and s"/ialist )arties =e&g& t+e allian/e "(Ba4at+ and !" unist )arties in Ira , Syria, et/> F&


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On t+e t+ird le8el, 'e +a8e )r"*le s raised *y t+e e3)erien/es "( t+e 8ari"usesta*lis+ed s"/ialist regi es& 1+ere are )r"*le s "( internal degenerati"n "( re8"luti"naryleaders+i)s "*7e/ti8e )r"*le s arising (r" t+e e3isten/e "( "nly "ne '"rld ar:et,

d" inated at )resent *y i )erialis *ut in '+i/+ s"/ialist /"untries )arti/i)ate, al*eit)eri)+erally )r"*le s raised *y t+e (a/t t+at re8"luti"nary "8e ents are t"day "rganiCed'it+in nati"nal *"undaries '+i/+ are largely /reated *y '"rld i )erialis & 1+ere are als"i ense )"liti/al and ide"l"gi/al )r"*le s t+r"'n u) *y t+e +ist"ry "( t+e (irst su//ess(uls"/ialist re8"luti"n )r"*le s arising (r" t+e (a/t t+at s"/ialis is a designati"n ("r atransiti"nal s"/ial "rder '+i/+ /an ta:e se8eral ("r s )r"*le s arising (r" s"/ialist/" it ent t" )re8ent i )erialis =a/ti8ely *y ilitary deterren/e and )assi8ely *y t+e)"li/y "( )ea/e(ul /"2e3isten/e> (r" unleas+ing an"t+er gl"*al 'ar "n Man:ind&

1+is *"": d"es n"t ai t" )r"8ide s"luti"ns t" t+e 8ari"us )r"*le s raised its "nly"*7e/ti8e is t" ("r ulate "r re("r ulate t+e in t+e lig+t "( "ur /"n/rete e3)erien/es& 6"r asMar3 'r"te0

W+ere s)e/ulati"n ends in real li(e t+ere, real )"siti8e s/ien/e *egins0 t+ere)resentati"n "( t+e )ra/ti/al a/ti8ity, "( t+e )ra/ti/al )r"/ess "( de8el") ent "( en& E )tytal: a*"ut /"ns/i"usness /eases, and real :n"'ledge +as t" ta:e its )la/e& W+en reality isde)i/ted, )+il"s")+y as an inde)endent *ran/+ "( :n"'ledge l"ses its ediu "( e3isten/e&

At t+e *est its )la/e /an "nly *e ta:en *y a su ing2u) "( t+e "st general results,a*stra/ti"ns '+i/+ arise (r" t+e "*ser8ati"n "( t+e +ist"ri/al de8el") ent "( en& @ie'eda)art (r" real +ist"ry, t+ese a*stra/ti"ns +a8e in t+e sel8es n" 8alue '+ats"e8er& 1+ey /an"nly ser8e t" (a/ilitate t+e arrange ent "( +ist"ri/al aterial, t" indi/ate t+e se uen/e "( itsse)arate strata& But t+ey *y n" eans a(("rd a re/i)e "r s/+e a, as d"es )+il"s")+y, ("rneatly tri ing t+e e)"/+s "( +ist"ry& On t+e /"ntrary, "ur di((i/ulties *egin "nly '+en 'e seta*"ut t+e "*ser8ati"n and t+e arrange ent t+e real de)i/ti"n "( "ur +ist"ri/al aterial,'+et+er "( a )ast e)"/+ "r "( t+e )resent &5

A re8"luti"nary, t+e"reti/al sel(2/lari(i/ati"n *e/" es ne/essary '+en a /ertain set "( ("r ulati"ns re)eatedly (ails t" gra))le 'it+ t+e essen/e "( a )r"*le & It is a (unda ental)r")"siti"n "( +ist"ri/al aterialis t+at n" s"/ial )r"*le )resents itsel( as i ediate until,t+e )re2/"nditi"ns ("r its s"luti"n +a8e de8el")ed "r are at least in t+e a/ti8e )r"/ess "(de8el") ent& W+en, t+ere("re, a /ertain )r"*le is identi(ied as "ne '+"se s"luti"n is/ru/ial t" t+e s"luti"n "( "t+er )r"*le s t+at is, '+en a )r"*le is identi(ied as i ediate

t+en sel(2/lari(i/ati"n *e/" es ne/essary, i( t+e s"luti"n t" t+is )r"*le is n"t t" *e/" e"re elusi8e e8ery day&

6"r t+e s"/ialist "8e ent in Nigeria t+e need ("r sel(2/lari(i/ati"n is urgent& 6"r"re t+an a de/ade, /"ntinu"us atte )ts =8arying in t+eir degree "( seri"usness> +a8e *eenade t" unite t+e 8ari"us l"/aliCed and *a/:'ard S"/ialistHMar3ist gr"u)s in t+e /"untry&

1+e e ually )ersistent a*"rti"n "( t+ese atte )ts +as *e/" e al "st a traditi"n and a/ulture& It is a tragedy '+i/+ re(le/ts /ertain (unda ental err"rs "( t+e"ry and )ra/ti/e, andt+ere("re /alls ("r t+"r"ug+ sel(2/lari(i/ati"n& 1+is is t+e (unda ental )re ise "( t+is analysis&


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1+e e3er/ise "( sel(2/lari(i/ati"n in8"l8es t+e su* issi"n "( :ey /"n/e)ts,("r ulati"ns and a))li/ati"ns t" /riti/al re2e3a inati"n& It als" in8"l8es re2e3a inati"n "()resent and )ast re8"luti"nary )ra/ti/e& In "t+er '"rds, *"t+ t+e"ry and )ra/ti/e "urentire +eritage ust *e e3a ined& We re/"gniCe t+e /riti/al /+ara/ter "( su/+ )"ints in+ist"ry /riti/al in t+e sense t+at t+e result "( su/+ an e3er/ise is "st "(ten eit+er a lea) t"+ig+er re8"luti"nary engage ent "r a sli) int" disillusi"n ent, /a)itulati"n and surrender&

S"/ial reality is /" )le3& 1+e )r"*le "( gra))ling 'it+ t+is /" )le3ity is at+e"reti/al "ne& Were reality a si )le and "*8i"us (a/t, 'ere +ist"ry a unilinear )r"/ess, t+eneed ("r t+e"ry '"uld +ardly arise& < Sin/e, +"'e8er, t+e /" )re+ensi"n "( reality in8"l8est+e teles/")ing "( its 8ari"us as)e/ts t+r"ug+ a*stra/ti"n, t+e"ry )resents itsel( asindis)ensa*le& Our *asi/ attitude, t+ere("re, is t+at t+e"ry +as n" aut"n" "us e3isten/ee3/e)t as an indis)ensa*le t""l ("r t+e /" )re+ensi"n *( t+e /" )le3ities /alled reality&

1+e"ry itsel( *ears a diale/ti/al relati"ns+i) t" reality& It is a eans "( /" )re+endingreality and t" t+at e3tent it tails *e+ind it& On t+e "t+er +and, it is a t""l ("r trans("r ingreality, and t" t+at e3tent, it g"es *ey"nd it& 1+e"ry re ains )r")erly s"2/alled s" (ar as it/an aintain its diale/ti/al =/"ntradi/t"ry> /+ara/ter /"+erently t+r"ug+ its 8ari"us stages "(de8el") ent& As s""n as t+e"ry /eases t" a:e reality /" )re+ensi*le "r (alls t" illu inate)"ssi*ilities ("r (urt+er trans("r ati"n "( reality, t+e need ("r sel(2/lari(i/ati"n arises&

1+ere is an i )"rtant and de/isi8e as)e/t "( sel(2/lari(i/ati"n '+i/+ s+"uld *e

enti"ned& E8ery re8"luti"nary "r re8"luti"nary "rganiCati"n is su*7e/ted t" a ulti)li/ity "(("r/es /lass ene y ("r/es, )ressures (r" t+e t"iling /lasses, internal tensi"ns 'it+in t+e"rganiCati"n ="r internal /"ntradi/ti"ns 'it+in t+e indi8idual re8"luti"nary> ("r/es '+i/+/an at "n/e *e )"liti/al, ide"l"gi/al, e/"n" i/, s"/ial, "r /ultural& N" practising re8"luti"nary/an )retend t" *e indi((erent t" t+ese ("r/es& sin/e sel(2/lari(i/ati"n, in8"l8ing a te )"rary+alt t" /urrent )"liti/al )ra/ti/e, /an at ti es ta:e t+e ("r "( ide"l"gi/al "r )"liti/al/"n/essi"ns t" t+e ene y& 1+e danger "( su/+ situati"ns is 8ery /lear&

It /an *e argued and 8ery str"ngly t"" t+at /"ntinu"us sel(2/lari(i/ati"n is t+eduty "( e8ery re8"luti"nary and re8"luti"nary "rganiCati"n& 1+is "*7e/ti"n )resu))"ses t+ee3isten/e "( t+e /"nditi"n ("r su/+ /"ntinu"us e3er/ise& But t+e need ("r sel(2/lari(i/ati"n "(t+e ty)e 'e are n"' dis/ussing arises at a )"int in a )r"/ess "( Cig2CagJ e )iri/is & It /anals" *e argued t+at sel(2/lari(i/ati"n is a/+ie8ed "nly t+r"ug+ )"liti/al a/ti"n '+"se results)r"8es "r dis)r"8es a t+e"reti/al )re ise "r at least *rea:s an undesira*le sta*ility& % Againt+is seri"us "*7e/ti"n )resu))"ses t+at t+e )resent /"n7un/ture ")ens u) )"ssi*ilities ("r

eaning(ul )"liti/al a/ti"n *ased "n "ur e3isting traditi"n '+i/+, "ne ay argue is n"traditi"n at all, 7udging (r" its e3tre ely (rag ented and e)is"di/ /+ara/ter&

We ad it t+at t+e last )aragra)+ +as an alar ingly )essi isti/ n"te& Alt+"ug+ t+is

)essi is is real in Nigeria, it is n"t "ur intenti"n t" )er)etuate it& Instead 'e *elie8e t+at a/lear ad issi"n "( "ur )"liti/al tragedy is a ne/essary /"nditi"n ("r trans/ending it&


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Notes

$& 1+is di((useness is e3)ressed *"t+ ide"l"gi/ally and )"liti/ally& 1+e ide"l"gi/al e3)ressi"n

is si )ly t+e a*sen/e "( any ("r ulati"n "( s"/ialist strategy, '+ile t+e )"liti/al e3)ressi"n ist+e (a/t t+at, '+ereas all t+e "((i/ially re/"gniCed )"liti/al )arties in t+e /"untry +a8e sel(2)r"(essed s"/ialists in t+eir leading )"siti"ns, t+ere is n" nati"nally "rganiCed s"/ialistgr"u)&

-& Wit+ t+is *r"ad /lassi(i/ati"n, 'e in/lude 'it+in t+e s"/ialist syste "( ("r/es all t+"se"8e ents '+"se "*7e/ti8e dire/ti"ns "( struggle /"nstitute a /+allenge t" i )erialist

+ege "ny ='+et+er ilitary, ide"l"gi/al, )"liti/al "r e/"n" i/> and t+r"ug+ '+i/+ t+es)e/i(i/ s"/ialist ("r/es in t+e /"untry /"uld gain an en+an/ed strategi/ )"siti"n& =We uset+e ter s"/ialist4 instead "( t+e "re a))r")riate designati"n 4anti2i )erialist4, si )ly*e/ause se8eral 'ings "( i )erialis in t+e 1+ird W"rld +a8e 8er*ally a))r")riated t+eide"l"gy "( anti2i )erialis and e )tied it "( all /"ntent and eaning&>

F& 1" t+at e3tent, '+ate8er t+e drea s "( Ayat"lla+ K+" einy ay *e, t+e /urrent IranianRe8"luti"n *el"ngs t" t+e s"/ialist syste "( ("r/es&

& Wit+ t+e )"ssi*le e3/e)ti"n "( Guinea Bissau and !a)e @erde Islands '+ere a singlere8"luti"nary )arty t+e A(ri/an Party ("r Inde)enden/e "( Guinea and !a)e @erde=P&A&I&G&!&> is in t+e leaders+i) "( *"t+ /"untries, "r 'as until t+e /"u) "( N"8e *er $% 9"n t+e ainland&

5& K& Mar3 and 6& Engels, The German Ideology , =Pr"gress Pu*lis+ers, M"s/"', $% , )& F&

, )&- &

%& !+e Gue8ara ga8e t+is as "ne "( t+e reas"ns ("r +is e *ar:ing "n t+e B"li8ianre8"luti"nary enter)rise t" end t+e is"lati"n "( t+e !u*an Re8"luti"n and *rea: t+estale ate "8er t+e @ietna War *y ")ening a ne' re8"luti"nary (r"nt&

PART 1 Ni5e-i0 To,02

1. The Politics of Ill sio!" 1#$%&'(

And as in )ri8ate li(e "ne di((erentiates *et'een '+at a an t+in:s and says "( +i sel( and'+at +e really is and d"es, s" in +ist"ri/al struggles "ne ust distinguis+ still "re t+e)+rases and (an/ies "( )arties (r" t+eir real "rganiCati"n and t+eir real interests, t+eir


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/"n/e)ti"n "( t+e sel8es (r" t+eir reality&&&& 1+us t+e 1"ries "( England l"ng i agined t+ey'ere ent+usiasti/ a*"ut M"nar/+, !+ur/+ and t+e *eauties "( t+e "ld Englis+ !"nstituti"n,until t+e day "( danger 'rung (r" t+e t+e /"n(essi"n t+at t+ey are "nly ent+usiasti/ a*"utt+e gr"undrent& $

1+ere is al'ays t+e danger, in 'riting a )"liti/al tra/t during a ti e "( ra)id /+anget+at )r"7e/ti"ns and )redi/ti"ns /an *e/" e (alsi(ied e8en *e("re t+ey get t" )ress& Butt+"ug+ 'e are a'are "( t+is danger, ("r t+e )ur)"ses "( t+is essay t+ey are irrele8ant,)re/isely *e/ause its su*7e/t atter, t+e s"/ialist "8e ent in Nigeria, /ann"t inter8ene inany )"ssi*le de8el") ents as an "rganiCed ("r/e unless t+e )re/"nditi"ns ("r t+isinter8enti"n are (irst /reated& In '+at ("ll"'s 'e dis/uss t+e )r"*le s "( /reating t+e)re/"nditi"ns ("r future inter&ention rat+er t+an t+e )r"*le s "( inter8enti"n in /urrent)"liti/al struggles&

It is n"t "ur tas: +ere t" tell t+e +ist"ry "( Nigeria& We s+all erely des/ri*e t+e)resent )"liti/al s/ene a s/ene *e("re '+i/+ t+e s"/ialist ("r/es +a8e isera*lydisintegrated& I( 'e are /" )elled t" g" int" +ist"ry, t+is 'ill *e d"ne as *rie(ly as )"ssi*leand ("r t+e s"le )ur)"se "( 4/lari(ying t+e )resent situati"n&

The I!te-ests of the Ni5e-i0! R li!5 Cl0ss

E8ery sel(2/"ns/i"us s"/ial /lass ='+et+er ruling "r su*"rdinate> arti/ulates and

de(ines t+e )r"*le s "( s"/iety (r" t+e stand)"int "( its "'n interests& L"'e8er, t+eseinterests, in t+e /ase "( t+e ruling /lass, are falsely )resented as, and )r"/lai ed t" *e, 4t+einterests "( t+e nati"n4& In /"ntrast, su*"rdinate and d" inated /lasses ")enly ad it t+e/lass /+ara/ter "( t+eir interests, *ut )r"/lai t+e 4t+e interests "( t+e asses4 "n t'" aingr"unds& 6irst t+e l"' su*"rdinate and d" inated /lasses /"nstitute t+e i ense a7"rity"( t+e '"r:ing )e")le '+" /reate t+e 'ealt+, /i8iliCati"n and /ulture '+i/+ t+e in"rity ruling/lass a))r")riates and ad inisters& Se/"ndly =and t+is is )arti/ularly 8alid in /"untries 'it+

"re *an:ru)t ruling /lasses ("r e3a )le, #atin A eri/an /"untries> t+e su*"rdinate andd" inated /lasses realiCe t+at t+e ruling /lass /an /"ntinue t" re)resent t+eir interests as4t+e interests "( t+e nati"n4 "nly at t+e /"st "( intensi(ied de+u aniCati"n and inse/urity, n"t"nly ("r t+e "))ressed, *ut als" ("r t+e "))ress"rs&

1+e Nigerian ruling /lass sees t+e greatest )r"*le "( t+e /"untry as t+at "( 4nati"nalunity and sta*ility4& S+ed "( all ide"l"gi/al /"l"urati"ns and r+et"ri/al e *ellis+ ents, t+is)r"*le /an *e ("r ulated as ("ll"'s0 ho' can the ruling class of Nigeria unite its &ariouseconomic( ethnic and religious factions so as to achie&e a permanent and stable socialhegemony o&er the entire country) We ust +asten t" add t+at t+e Nigerian ruling /lass +asn"t al'ays arti/ulated its interests e3a/tly in t+is ("r it is /lear t+at t+e arti/ulati"n "( t+einterests "( t+e 8ari"us /lasses is ne/essarily *"und u) 'it+ t+e de8el") ent "( t+e /"untryand t+e /"ntending /lasses t+e sel8es&


11/115

During t+e (irst )"st2inde)enden/e /i8ilian regi e =$%


12/115

W+en t+e ilitary t"": "8er in $% *ut did n"t )re8ent t+"se'+" +ad r""ts in t+e /i8il s"/iety (r" a:ing illi"ns "( naira "ut "( t+e 'ar e/"n" y (r"/"ntra/ts and agen/ies ("r ar s su))lies, re+a*ilitati"n, "( 'ar2a((e/ted )e")le, and "t+ers"ur/es&

1+e War ended and "il /a e& It *e/a e ne/essary t" *uild *arra/:s ("r t+"usands "( s"ldiers& It *e/a e ne/essary ("r us t" s+"' t+e '"rld t+at 'e 'ere n"t, a(ter all, )ri iti8e0t+at 'e 'ere a'are "( arts and /ulture =e8en t+"ug+ 'e a))eared t" +a8e negated /ulture*y slaug+tering "ne an"t+er>& All t+ese needs i )elled t+e a'ard "( /"ntra/ts ("r t+e *uilding"( *arra/:s, t+e a'ard "( /"ntra/ts ("r t+e *uilding "( t+e 6ES1A! 8illage, < t+e 1rade26air@illage and t+e 4Para*"li/ Para*"la4& 1+e a/tual +"sting "( t+ese (esti8als als" t+re' +ugesu s "( "ney int" t+e )"/:ets "( Nigeria4s 4 "ney*ags4& 1+e /"untry 'as (l"'ing 'it+

"ney t+e )"rts 'ere /"ngested 'it+ +undreds "( s+i)s 'aiting t" unl"ad 8arieties "(i )"rted lu3ury /" "dities& In(lati"n des/ended +ea8ily "n t+e '+"le nati"n& 1+e '"r:ing)e")le, '+" +ad *"rne t+e *runt "( t+e 'ar e/"n" y, sa' n" i )r"8e ent in t+eir li8ing/"nditi"ns& Instead "( s+aring t+e g""d ("rtune "( t+e "il *"" , t+ey 'ere2*la ed ("r t+ein(lati"n& Ne8ert+eless, t+ey agitated, and t+eir 'ages 'ere re2graded u)'ards& 1+e 'agea'ards +ad t'" /"nse uen/es '+i/+ 'ere "( i )"rtan/e0 (irstly, t+e stru/ture ="r +ierar/+y>"( 'ages 'as le(t inta/t, and se/"ndly, in(lati"n i ediately a*s"r*ed '+ate8er additi"ns'ere ade t" 'ages and salaries&

It 'ill n"t *e di((i/ult n"' t" understand '+y t+e ruling /lass suddenly a))eared 'it+t+e sl"gan "( 4nati"nal unity, sta*ility, se/urity and dis/i)line4& 1+e /"untry 'as already(l"'ing 'it+ 4 il: and +"ney4 all in t+e +ands "( i )"rter2e3)"rter2general /"ntra/t"r*usiness en and '" en& W+i/+ ruling /lass in +ist"ry +as (ailed t" de(end t+e 4sta*ility,se/urity and territ"rial integrity4 "( su/+ a ("rtunate /"untry? 1+us, ("r t+e sa:e "( t+e sta*ilityand se/urity "( Nigeria, t+e Ag*e:"ya re8"lt "( $%< 2


13/115

t+e *"urge"isie4s nati"nalis Is t+e "ut/" e "( its 'is+ t" a))r")riate res"ur/es *a/: (r"t+e ("reigner its /" it ent t" ("reign in8est ent is t+e "ut/" e "( its /"n/rete de)enden/e"n ne"2/"l"nial )"liti/al e/"n" y& Nati"nal unity and re/"n/iliati"n e3)ress its a *iti"n t" a/tas an +ege "ni/ /lass, )r"8iding "ral and )"liti/al leaders+i) at t+e nati"nal le8el and'it+in t+e internati"nal )"liti/al arena& Its tri*alis is t+e "ut/" e "( its la/: "( /"ntr"l "( t+e)r"du/ti8e res"ur/es "( t+e e/"n" y and +en/e "( t+e /" )etiti"n a "ng t+e *"urge"isie ("r

(a8"ured a//ess t" s/ar/e res"ur/es, and t+e need t" ani)ulate )arti/ularisti/ interests andsenti ents a "ng t+e )""r t" aintain t+e *"urge"isie4s )"liti/al d" inati"n& $9

In $% - an IndigeniCati"n De/ree 'as )assed '+i/+ reser8ed /ertain sets "(enter)rises ("r Nigerians and sti)ulated a andat"ry l"/al2("reign rati" "( "'ners+i) in "t+erenter)rises& 1+is led t" a sti(( struggle 'it+in t+e *"urge"isie ("r /"ntr"l "( t+e *usiness"))"rtunities le(t 8a/ant *y ("reigners& A struggle als" ensued *et'een t+e 8ari"us (a/ti"ns"( t+e *"urge"isie "8er a nati"nal "il )"li/y&

1+e struggles *et'een (a/ti"ns "( t+e *"urge"isie ne/essarily )r"7e/ted t+e sel8es"n t" t+e "8ert )"liti/al )lane '+ere t+ey "(ten /"n8erged 'it+ 8i"lent )r"tests arising (r"

ass dissatis(a/ti"n and disillusi"n ent& 1+e ru)ture "n t+e )"liti/al )lane in $% 2 5 /learlys+"'ed t+e e3tent t" '+i/+ t+e ruling /lass +ad su//eeded in uni(ying t+e 8ari"us *"urge"isinterests =e/"n" i/, et+ni/, and religi"us>, a uni(i/ati"n '+i/+ is seen as a )re/"nditi"n, anda ("r "( e3isten/e, ("r "8erall *"urge"is e/"n" i/ and )"liti/al +ege "ny "8er t+e entire/"untry&

1+e ilitary regi e al'ays )resented itsel( =and 'as al'ays s" )resented *y (a/ti"ns"( t+e *"urge"is ide"l"gists, intelle/tuals, 4)atri"ts4, li*erals, and s" ("rt+>, as t+ee *"di ent and +ist"ri/al agen/y "( Nigeria4s nati"nal interests& 1+is ide"l"gi/al )retensi"n,'+i/+ a "ng t+e '"r:ing )e")le assu ed t+e ("r an ")ti/al illusi"n, $$ *e/a estrengt+ened during t+e War and 'as instituti"naliCed *y t+e uted tenden/y t"'ards t+e/reati"n "( a "ne )arty state& But t+e series "( /rises in $% and $% 5 s+"": t+e 8ery("undati"ns "( *"urge"is )retensi"ns and illusi"ns& #et us atte )t a se)arati"n "( s" e "(t+e "re i )"rtant "( t+ese /rises,

On t+e le8el "( t+e state, t+e *"urge"isie /"uld n"t agree "n '+at s+"uld *ea//e)ted as t+e /"rre/t )")ulati"n (igures ("r t+e /"untry& 1+is agree ent 'as n"t easy t"rea/+ sin/e )"liti/al re)resentati"n and re8enue all"/ati"n '"re still t" *e tied t" t+e)")ulati"ns "( t+e /"nstituent states& 1+e /risis 'as n"t res"l8ed *y t+e regi e4s unilaterala//e)tan/e "( t+e $% F /ensus (igures '+i/+ ga8e Nigeria a )")ulati"n "( al "st 9 illi"n&Indeed, se8eral *"urge"is )"liti/ians ='+" 'ere t+en 'aiting an3i"usly t" re)la/e t+e ilitaryregi e as t+e )"liti/al re)resentati8es "( t+e )e")le> and e *ers "( t+e regi e itsel(8"i/ed t+eir "))"siti"n t" t+e /ensus (igures e8en as t+ey 'ere *eing ad")ted "((i/ially&1+e 'ar "( '"rds 'as re inis/ent "( a si ilar e8ent "re t+an ten years earlier =t+e $%


14/115

1+e return t" /i8ilian rule, t" '+i/+ t+e regi e ")enly /" itted itsel( in $% 9, 'as*e/" ing "re and "re di((i/ult t" realiCe as t+e "))"sing (a/ti"ns "( t+e *"urge"is /lasse *ar:ed "re 8ig"r"usly u)"n *"t+ su*terranean and "8ert "*iliCati"n "( t+eir e/"n" i/,et+ni/, and religi"us *ases t+ere*y seri"usly under ining t+e a/+ie8e ent *y t+e ilitaryregi e "( its +ist"ri/al tas:0 t+e /"ns"lidati"n "( *"urge"is +ege "ny& As a result, t+e

ilitary regi e '+i/+ st""d ("r 4nati"nal interests4 naturally +ad t" inter8ene in $% and /all"(( t+e return t" /i8ilian rule inde(initely&

Side *y side 'it+ t+is s)e/i(i/ *"urge"is struggle, t+ere 'ere ass struggles all "8ert+e /"untry struggles '+i/+, t+"ug+ arising (r" t+e "))ressi8e /"n/rete li(e situati"ns "(t+e )e")le, 'ere ui/:ly e3)l"ited, (uelled and derailed *y t+e /" )eting *"urge"is (a/ti"ns&1+e e/"n" i/ *"" /reated illi"naires "ut "( t+e *"urge"isie, state (un/ti"naries,*ureau/rats and te/+n"/rats& O((i/ial /"rru)ti"n ne/essarily a//" )anying t+is *""rea/+ed su/+ a s/andal"us le8el t+at '"r:ers, students, intelle/tuals =li*eral andre8"luti"nary> and )r"(essi"nals, ign"ring t+e state "( e ergen/y and t+e *an "n )"liti/s,

+ad t" "unt ")en agitati"ns against t+e regi e 2 agitati"ns "(ten assu ing t+e s)e/i(i/("r "( de ands ("r a return t" /i8ilian rule&

S" e *"urge"is (a/ti"ns 7"ined in t+ese agitati"ns n"t *e/ause t+ey 'ere"))"sed t" /"rru)ti"n, *ut *e/ause t+ey 'anted a "re e ual a//ess t" t+e "))"rtunitiesand *ene(its "( /"rru)ti"n& 1+us t+ere 'as t+e *"urge"is2led, *ut )u*li/ly su))"rted,/a )aign against a 6ederal !" issi"ner& 1+e regi e 'as ("r/ed t" ad8ise t+e!" issi"ner t" resign& 1+en /a e a si ilar agitati"n against a state ilitary g"8ern"r& Butt+is did n"t result in +is resignati"n instead, it led t" t+e detenti"n "( t+e leading a//user&

1+e *attered ilitary regi e s" eti es res)"nded t" t+ese atta/:s 8ery *ra8ely& It"unted a reign "( terr"r in t+e ("r "( ass detenti"n "( agitat"rs, )"li/e2 ilitary

*rutaliCati"n, dis issals, and t+reats& But t+e de/isi8e (a/t"r in t+e /risis e erged as s""nas t+e ilitary regi e itsel( *e/a e su((i/iently di8ided t" )r" )t a settle ent t+r"ug+ 4t+e*arrel "( t+e gun4& 1+e G"'"n regi e '+i/+ +ad /" e t" )"'er in August $% /+allenge "( a /r"ss2se/ti"n "( t+e '"r:ing )e")le and students& 1+e ne' regi e /a e t" )"'er 'a8ing t+e*anner "( s"/ial re("r s and t+e entire *"urge"is )ress 7"ined t+e 'ag"n "( 4re8"luti"n4&On/e again, t+e asses, la/:ing aut+enti/ re8"luti"nary "rganiCati"ns "( t+eir "'n, 'erede/ei8ed and "n/e again t+eir +")es and e3)e/tati"ns 'ere entrusted t" a ne' ilitary2*ureau/rati/ "8e ent&


15/115

1+e ne' regi e a/ted 'it+ su/+ ra)idity t+at e8en a large se/ti"n "( t+e )"liti/al le(t'ere daCed, /arried a'ay, and integrated int" '+at ig+t *e des/ri*ed as nati"nal illusi"ns&1+e regi e a/ted s'i(tly '+ere G"'"n +ad a/ted ti idly "r inde/isi8ely& Wit+in +"urs "( its/" ing t" )"'er, all ilitary "((i/ers a*"8e t+e ran: "( *rigadier 'ere dis issed, )"li/e/+ie(s retired, se8eral ar y "((i/ers rede)l"yed, and se8eral *ureau/rati/ 4+ea8y'eig+ts4re "8ed (r" "((i/e& 1+is 'as t+e (irst ne/essary ste) t" disl"/ate G"'"n4s ilitary2*ureau/rati/ *ase and a:e a regr"u)ing ("r an i ediate /"unter2/"u) di((i/ult&

1+e se/"nd ste) /a e a (e' 'ee:s later '+en t+e regi e e *ar:ed u)"n asyste ati/ )urging "( ilitary and /i8ilian "((i/ers, /i8il ser8ants, *ureau/rats, di)l" ats,uni8ersity tea/+ers, 7udges, et/& 1+is "8e 'as als" ne/essary i( t+e regi e 'as t" se/urelegiti a/y ("r itsel(, sin/e t+e G"'"n regi e +ad *een /+ara/teriCed, t"'ards t+e end "( itsli(e, *y large s/ale and ")en /"rru)ti"n and s"/ial s/andal& Our erst'+ile 4s"/ialists4a//e)ted and indire/tly urged t+e '"r:ing asses t" a//e)t t+e 8ie' t+at t+e )urged"((i/ials, and n"t t+e syste , 'ere res)"nsi*le ("r t+e G"'"n ad inistrati"n4s /"rru)ti"n&

In O/t"*er $% 5, t+e regi e ann"un/ed a )"liti/al )r"gra e ("r t+e return t"de "/rati/ rule& A//"rding t" t+is )r"gra e ann"un/ed 'it+ (an(are and a idsta//la ati"ns (r" t+e *"urge"isie and 8ari"us )etty2*"urge"is gr"u)s =in/luding t+eir le(t2'ing 4s"/ialist4 se/ti"n> t+e /"untry 'as t" return t" de "/rati/ rule in O/t"*er $% %& 1+is,t" t+e *"urge"is and )etty2*"urge"is de "/rats, 'as a (ar /ry (r" t+e )re8i"us era '+enG"'"n 'it+ e ual (an(are =*ut less a//la ati"n> +ad dis issed t+e idea "( an end t" ilitaryli(e in t+e ("reseea*le (uture&

1+e ("ll"'ing )"liti/al ste)s 'ere set d"'n t" lead t" O/t"*er $% %0 $> /reati"n "("re states in t+e /"untry -> /reati"n "( l"/al /"un/ils and "rganiCati"n "( ele/ti"ns ("r

t+e F> t+e a))"int ent and t+e setting t" '"r: "( a !"nstituti"n Dra(ting !" ittee=!&D&!&> > ele/ti"n t" a !"nstituent Asse *ly and t+e a))r"8al "( t+e Dra(t !"nstituti"n *yt+is Asse *ly 5> li(ting "( t+e *an "n )"liti/al a/ti8ities and )"liti/al )arties, t+e +"lding "((ederal and state ele/ti"ns and t+e +anding "8er )"'er t" de "/rati/ g"8ern ents inO/t"*er $% %&

1" de "nstrate its /" it ent t" t+is )r"gra e, t+e regi e 'ent "n i ediatelyt" a))"int a 592 e *er, all ale, !"nstituti"n Dra(ting !" ittee t" 'rite a /"nstituti"n ("rt+e /"untry& 1+e (i(ty en /a e entirely (r" t+e ran:s "( seni"r uni8ersity tea/+ers andad inistrat"rs, *ig )r"(essi"nals, )"liti/ians, state *ureau/rats, and *ig *usiness en& 1+ere'ere a (e' inaudi*le, inarti/ulate, )r"tests (r" ass "rganiCati"ns "8er t+e *"urge"is/" )"siti"n "( t+e !&D&!&, *ut t+ese )r"tests 'ere dr"'ned in t+e aCe "( ne'2("undnati"nalis "( t+e )etty2*"urge"is strata& 1+e !&D&!& 'as set t" '"r: i ediately&

6"ur e8ents *et'een late $% 5 and early $% < s+ar)ened t+e /"ntradi/ti"ns 'it+in

t+e ne' regi e and 'it+in Nigerian s"/ial reality as a '+"le, indi/ating /learly t+e )at+ "((urt+er de8el") ent and ine8ita*le de/line "( t+e ne' )"liti/al "rder&


16/115

6irst, t+e regi e, s+"/:ed *y t+e l"gi/ "( its retire ent e3er/ise =i&e& t+e ilitary and*ureau/rati/ )urges>, +alted in id2strea and set u) a a/+inery ("r /"nsidering )r"tests(r" t+"se )urged& Se/"ndly, it )r" "ted se8eral ilitary "((i/ers t" t+e ran:s "( general,

lieutenant2general, a7"r2general, and *rigadier& 1+is e3er/ise *r"ug+t a 'a8e "( )r"tests(r" radi/al ass and student "rganiCati"ns and )er+a)s t+e (irst internal dis/"ntent 'it+int+e regi e =(r" t+"se le(t "ut "r less (a8"ured in t+is e3er/ise>& 1+irdly, t+e Ang"lan /i8il'ar )"sed a test ("r t+e ne' radi/al )"sture in ("reign a((airs& 1+e regi e (irst /a e "ut in(a8"ur "( t+e s"2/alled neg"tiated settle ent and unity *et'een t+e 8ari"us Ang"lan

"8e ents& But later, t+e l"gi/ "( its "'n radi/al )r"n"un/e ents and t+e rea/ti"ns "(radi/al ass "rganiCati"ns )us+ed t+e regi e t" ally itsel( 'it+ t+e M&P&A& 1+e internal/"+esi"n 'it+in t+e regi e 'as (urt+er 'ea:ened, '+ile s" e (a/ti"ns "( t+e *"urge"isie=t"get+er 'it+ t+eir i )erialist asters> *e/a e /learly alar ed&

#astly, in early 6e*ruary $%


17/115

Radi/al se/ti"ns "( t+e )")ulati"n, '+" +ad largely *een /arried a'ay *y t+eu)+ea8als "( t+e )re8i"us "nt+s, *egan t" as: t+e sel8es at t+is stage '+at, in /"n/reteter s, t+e regi e +ad d"ne ("r t+e )e")le a)art (r" )seud"2radi/al r+et"ri/& Re("r ist

s"/ialists *egan t" +a8e d"u*ts, *ut 'ere still t"" daCed t" dra' a /"n/lusi"n& W+at 'as t+ereal situati"n? 1+e )urges, "n '+i/+ t+e regi e *uilt its legiti a/y, +ad largely *een a (ailuresin/e any "((i/ials '+" l"gi/ally "ug+t t" +a8e *een )urged re ained un)urged andun)urgea*le, '+ile se8eral )urged "nes +ad ("und t+eir 'ay *a/: t" )"siti"ns "( e/"n" i/and )"liti/al d" inan/e& 1+e "nly 8i/ti s 2 t+e "nly real "nes 2 'ere t+e )""r '"r:ers '+"'ere t+r"'n "ut "( t+eir 7"*s "n t+e gr"unds "( de/lining )r"du/ti8ityJ a(ter t+ey +ad *eent+"r"ug+ly s ueeCed&

A 'age (reeCe +ad *een i )"sed "n t+e '"r:ers stri:es 'ere *anned and "((enderst+reatened 'it+ e3e/uti"n, i )ris"n ent "r )r"s/ri)ti"n "( t+eir uni"ns in(lati"n 'as risingstudent radi/als 'ere *eing rusti/ated and uni8ersities and /"lleges 'ere *eing /l"sedd"'n, '+ile t+e '"r:ing /lass "8e ent =n"ta*ly t+e trade uni"ns> 'as *eing su*7e/ted t"state *ureau/ratiCati"n&

A *"urge"is, illus"ry and e )ty agrarian )r"gra e ter ed O)erati"n 6eed t+eNati"n 'as ann"un/ed& 1+e )r"gra e 'as "stensi*ly ai ed at *""sting (""d )r"du/ti"n*ut t+e real )r"du/ers "( agri/ultural (""dstu((s 2 t+e )easants 2 'ere ign"red, '+ile l"ans'ere *eing granted t" /a)italist (ar ers& 1+e '+"le nati"n 'as urged t" engage in )art2ti e(ar ing, '+ile students "n 8a/ati"n 'ere dra(ted t" state de "nstrati"n (ar s '+ere t+eydid n"t+ing =sin/e t+ere 'as n" urge t" d" anyt+ing e8en i( t+ere +ad *een s" et+ing t"d" >& 1+e *est t+ey did 'as t+e )lanting "( (l"'ers, '+ile t+ey earned "nt+ly salaries +ig+er t+an '"r:ers4 'ages& In t+e idst "( all t+is, it 'as ann"un/ed t+at indi8idual )easants '+"'anted t+e 4+el)4 "( students '"uld +a8e t" )r"8ide t+eir 'ages& Kn"'ing t+e general iseryand i )"8eris+ ent "( t+e )easants, t+is ann"un/e ent *etrayed t+e *an:ru)t/y "( t+eentire )r"gra e&

Mean'+ile "il re8enues in/reased, t+e *"urge"is and ilitary2*ureau/rati/ /a)italistsin/reased t+eir a((luent /"nsu )ti"n and d"u*led t+eir +"ldings i )erialists /"ntinued t+eirra)e "( "ur res"ur/es /"l"ur tele8isi"n 'as intr"du/ed in a /"untry '+ere t+e 8ast a7"rity

li8e in a state "( )er anent e/"n" i/, )"liti/al and s"/ial arginaliCati"n, (ilt+ and )"8erty&Prestige state (esti8als and internati"nal 7a *"rees 'ere "rganiCed and illi"ns "( nairas uandered& 1+e regi e atte )ted t" /"ntr"l t+e )ri/es "( anu(a/tured g""ds and(""dstu((s, and e8en atte )ted t" /"ntr"l +"use rents *y de/ree& 1+ese atte )ts 'ere*"und t" (ail '"e(ully e8en i( t+ey 'ere sin/erely "ti8ated, sin/e t+e state /ann"t /"ntr"l)ri/es in an anar/+isti/ and (ree enter2)rise e/"n" y neit+er /"uld t+e state /"ntr"l t+ea/ti8ities "( iddle2 en and er/+ants '+ile t+e e/"n" i/ stru/ture still all"'ed t+eire3isten/e&

1+e regi e ign"red all t+ese star: realities and )us+ed "n 'it+ its s"2/alled )"liti/al)r"gra e& A )r"gra e ("r l"/al g"8ern ent re("r 'as ann"un/ed "8er t+e +eads "(t+e )e")le& 1+e /"untry 'as /ar8ed u) int" se8eral l"/al /"un/il areas and dates ("r


18/115

ele/ti"ns 'ere (i3ed& 6"r t+ese ele/ti"ns =De/e *er $% n" )"liti/al a/ti8ities 'ereall"'ed, sin/e t+e *an "n )"liti/al )arties and a/ti8ities 'as still in ("r/e& A "ney

uali(i/ati"n t" stand as a /andidate 'as als" i )"sed& 1+e state 'as gi8en t+e rig+t t"n" inate u) t" -5 "( t+e e *ers+i) "( ea/+ l"/al /"un/il, and t+e /+air an "( ea/+/"un/il, t+"ug+ t" *e ele/ted *y t+e /"un/il, '"uld +a8e t" *e /"n(ir ed *y t+e state& 1+ese/retary "( ea/+ /"un/il 'as als" t" *e a))"inted *y t+e state and *e res)"nsi*le "nly t"t+e state& Neit+er t+e /+air an n"r t+e se/retary *"t+ t" *e +ig+ly )aid 'as t" *ere "8a*le *y t+e /"un/il, '+ile t+e state reser8ed t+e rig+t t" sus)end "r diss"l8e any l"/al/"un/il&

1+e ele/ti"ns /a e and 'ent and t+e ne' /"un/ils, as e3)e/ted, 'ere /" )letelyd" inated *y t+e *ig *"urge"isie and )r"(essi"nals& 1+e *r"ad asses "( t+e )e")le 'ereeit+er ign"rant "( t+e e8ent "r si )ly a)at+eti/ as t+e res)"nse "( t+e ele/t"rate /learlys+"'ed& 1+e *"urge"is !"nstituti"n Dra(ting !" ittee, ean'+ile, /a e u) 'it+ its dra(t/"nstituti"n& 1+e dra(t 'as (as/isti/ in /"ntent, *ut li*eral in ("r & Its ai 'as t" entren/+

Nigeria (urt+er in t+e )eri)+ery "( '"rld /a)italis and disar t+e '"r:ing asses&

Refe-e!ces

$& K& Mar3 and 6& Engels, Selected $or%s , @"l& $, =Pr"gress Pu*lis+ers, M"s/"', $% F>,)& -$& 1+e )arti/ular '"r: (r" '+i/+ t+is )assage is ta:en, The #ighteenth *rumaire of+ouis *onaparte , 'as 'ritten *y Mar3 as a )"liti/al /" entary "n t+e /lass struggles in6ran/e, in t+e /"urse "( '+i/+ t+e 8ari"us /"ntending *"urge"is )arties ")erated *e+ind(alse re8"luti"nary sl"gans "nly t" *e e3)"sed in due /"urse ("r '+at t+ey 'ere&

-& We ay enti"n 7ust t'" "( t+ese /risis )"ints0 t+e /risis "8er t+e nati"nal /ensus in$%, ))&F52F%,))&5 2 -&

& 6"r an"t+er ui/: a))re/iati"n "( t+e di ensi"n "( t+e )r"*le "( et+ni/ in"rities*e("re t+e ilitary inter8enti"n, see ("r e3a )le, G& Willia s, Nigeria: #conomy and Society ,=Re3 !"llings, #"nd"n, $% , ))&


19/115

& In $%< and $% /a)italist e/"n" i/ "rder='it+in a larger '"rld e/"n" i/ "rder> /+ara/teriCed *y $> e/"n" i/ de8el") ent ta:ing itsi )etus and dire/ti"n (r" t+e needs "( t+e "re e/"n" i/ally )"'er(ul nati"ns -> t+ee3isten/e and +ege "ny "( a nati"nal e3)l"iting /lass '+i/+ a/ts as a 4/"n8ey"r *elt4 ("r t+e

"re )"'er(ul nati"ns F> t+e e3isten/e "( a syste "( une ual e/"n" i/ e3/+ange *et'eent+e /entre and t+e )eri)+ery "( /a)italis &

$9& Willia s, ")& /it&, )&F &

$$& By ")ti/al illusi"n 'e, ean t+e ina*ility t" see "r /"nstru/t an alternati8e t" a)+en" en"n "'ing t" t+e s+eer ("r/e ="r )resen/e> "( t+e status2 u"& See Ge"rge 6&N"8a/:, Understanding History: ar!ist #ssays , =Pat+(inder Press, N& &, $% >, ))& $2 -&

). The 1#'# Electio!s

1+e 4(ree and de "/rati/4 '"rld 'el/" ed t+e "8es t" return Nigeria t" /i8ilian rulein $% %& It +ad *een argued t+at a ilitary regi e +"'e8er *ene8"lent 'as at *est, ana*errati"n sin/e 4it is an inaliena*le rig+t "( t+e )e")le t" /+""se t+"se t+at s+"uld g"8ernt+e 4& It 'as (urt+er asserted t+at any g"8ern ent t+at /" es t" )"'er *y a (ree andde "/rati/ /+"i/e "( t+e )e")le is ne/essarily g""d ("r t+e )re/isely *e/ause it is t+eir/+"i/e&

1+is is t+e /urrent )"liti/al ide"l"gy "( t+e ruling /lass in Nigeria and it is d" inant int+e sense t+at t+ere is n" "))"sing "ne '+i/+ +as any ("r/e *e+ind it& But li:e e8ery "t+eride"l"gy "( a ruling /lass, t+is )arti/ular "ne is a isre)resentati"n "( reality, n"t *e/ause itis (alse, *ut *e/ause it is an a*stra/ti"n (r" t+e t"tality "( s"/ial reality an a*stra/ti"n'+i/+ deals 'it+ ere ("r s, re aining silent "n s)e/i(i/ /"ntent&

De "/ra/y and (reed" , as )"liti/al /ateg"ries, /ann"t *e /"n/ei8ed "( a*stra/tly0t+ere is n"t+ing li:e 4de "/ra/y in general4 "r 4(reed" in general4& 1+e /itiCens "( a /"untrye3er/ise t+eir rig+ts 'it+in t+e li its "( /+"i/es a8aila*le ="r i )"sed>& In "t+er '"rds,de "/ra/y and (reed" are +ist"ri/ally /"nditi"ned& It is true t+at Nigerians 'ent t" t+e )"llst" ele/t a ne' g"8ern ent& But t+is trut+ is n"t /" )lete, ("r it is e ually true t+at t+ey didt+is under /"nditi"ns t+at 'ere in (a/t Nigerian&

W+at 'ere t+ese /"nditi"ns?


20/115

The Li its o! Co /etitio! 0!, P0-tici/0tio!

=$> O( "8er 9 )"liti/al )arties ("r ed in t+e /"untry *et'een Se)te *er and N"8e *er$% , "nly (i8e 'ere "((i/ially gi8en t+e rig+t t" e3ist and ta:e )art in t+e ele/ti"ns& Ot+erssi )ly +ad t" disa))ear& 1+e2i )li/ati"n "( t+is 'as t+at, '+ereas Nigerians 'ere gi8en t+e

de "/rati/ rig+t t" ele/t a g"8ern ent "( t+eir /+"i/e, t+ey +ad t" /+""se t+is g"8ern ent(r" t+e )arties "((i/ially )resented t" t+e & 1+irty2si3 )arties 'ere a )ri"ri de/lared "utsidet+e li its "( t+e )e")le4s de "/rati/ /+"i/e n"t *e/ause t+eir )r"gra es 'ere *ad *ut*e/ause t+ey (ailed t" satis(y /ertain /"nditi"ns '+i/+ /"uld "nly *e satis(ied *y t+e)"ssessi"n "( +uge su s "( "ney&

W+y did t+e 6ederal Ele/t"ral !" issi"n =6EDE!O> legislate F< )arties "ut "(e3isten/e? 1+e de/isi"n "( 6EDE!O 'as n"t legal it 'as )urely )"liti/al& 1+e "8e entt"'ards in/reasing *"urge"is +ege "ny a:es a t'"2("ld de and0 (irst, t+e ("r/es "("))"siti"n s+"uld *e silen/ed and se/"ndly, t+e areas "( /"n(li/t *et'een t+e 8ari"us(a/ti"ns "( t+e *"urge"isie +a8e t" *e narr"'ed& 6EDE!O t+ere("re legaliCed "nly t+"se)"liti/al )arties '+i/+ t"get+er a))eared t" e *ra/e t+e greatest interests "( t+e greatestnu *er "( t+e *"urge"isie and '+"se su))ressi"n 'as li:ely t" engender siCea*le ande((e/ti8e "))"siti"n 'it+in t+e /"untry&

=-> Se8eral /andidates 'ere )re8ented (r" /"ntesting t+e ele/ti"ns *e/ause t+ey +ad *een("und guilty "( /"rru)ti"n "r +ad n"t )aid t+eir ta3es as and '+en due& One is n"t de(ending/"rru)ti"n, *ut "ne +as t" uesti"n t+e eaning "( /"rru)ti"n in t+e /"nte )"rary Nigerian/"nte3t "ne als" +as t" uesti"n t+e et+"ds and )r"/esses "( deter ining '+at a "unts

t" /"rru)ti"n& In t+e Nigerian (ree enter)rise syste '+ere "ne /an *e/" e a illi"naire"8ernig+t si )ly *y i )"rting g""ds and +anding t+e "8er t" a g"8ern ent instituti"n, in asyste '+ere a seni"r g"8ern ent "((i/ial /an *uild a +"use 'it+ a g"8ern ent ="r uasi2g"8ern ent> l"an and +ire "ut t+is sa e +"use t" t+e g"8ern ent =)r"8ided +e is /le8eren"ug+ t" use a (a:e na e>, in a syste '+ere a retired g"8ern ent (un/ti"nary is gi8en a+ig+er a))"int ent a(ter /"lle/ting +is gratuity, +"' d" 'e deter ine '+at /"rru)ti"n is?1+e result "( t+e dis uali(i/ati"n "( /ertain /andidates 'as t+at t+e )e")le 'ere )re8ented(r" in/luding t+ese /andidates in t+eir range "( de "/rati/ /+"i/e "n a//"unt "( /+argest+at 'ere (alsely ="r at least, in/" )letely> /"n/ei8ed&

=F> De "/ra/y ("r ally in/ludes t+e rig+t t" 8"te and t+e rig+t t" *e 8"ted ("r& 1+e Nigerianele/t"ral regulati"ns l"udly )r"/lai ed t+ese rig+ts& But t+ese 'ere ere ("r al rig+ts, ("rt+e sa e regulati"n sti)ulated t+at a ne/essary /"nditi"n ("r trans("r ing t+ese rig+ts int"real rig+ts 'as t+e )"ssessi"n "( "ney0 /andidates /"ntesting t+e ele/ti"ns +ad t" )ay

"ney de)"sits& We 'ere t"ld t+at t+is easure 'as ta:en in "rder t" dis/"urage '"uld2*e(ri8"l"us /andidates& But t+e )ay ent "( de)"sits /ann"t deter ri/+ /andidates it /an "nlydeter t+e )""r "nes& 1+ere("re, (ri8"lity +ad its r""ts in )"8erty =O( /"urse, t+e /"ntesting)"liti/al )arties in (a/t alt+"ug+ t+ey did n"t ad it it end"rsed t+is )"siti"n0 a(ter all,t+eir leading e *ers and /andidates are ri/+ en&> W+at, t+en, re ained "( t+ede "/rati/ rig+ts "( t+e )e")le?


21/115

= > Nigeria is a /"untry "( un(ul(illed )r" ises& Bet'een $% literally *"ug+t t+e /"re "( t+e )arty& 1+is /"re 'as ade u) "(strategi/ally )la/ed )e")le in s"/iety and t+e state, t+at is, t+"se '+" /"uld in(luen/e t+e)e")le "r t+e state a))aratus $ *y any eans i agina*le& Se/"ndly, t+e )arty +a8ing *een/"nstituted, a *iti"us )arty e *ers *"ug+t t+eir )arty n" inati"ns as /andidates in t+e

8ari"us ele/ti"ns& 6inally t+e )arty /andidates *"ug+t t+e 8"ters&

As an illustrati"n "( t+e )+en" en"n under dis/ussi"n, +ere is a s+"rt a//"unt gi8en*y a Nigerian daily )a)er in De/e *er $% 0

We are getting t"" any re)"rts (r" t+e states "( 'ealt+y en getting )arty n" inati"nssi )ly *e/ause t+ey )aid "ut "re "ney t" delegates& In "ne )arti/ularly distur*ing /ase,"ne su//ess(ul /andidate '"n t+e n" inati"n ("r g"8ern"r *y )aying "ut NF-5,999 =t+ree+undred and t'enty (i8e t+"usand naira>& 1+is is +"' it +a))ened& 6irst it 'as de/ided t+at alldelegates t" t+e state )arty /"n8enti"n '"uld 8"te t" sele/t a /andidate ("r g"8ern"r&


22/115

!andidate A )r" )tly dis+ed "ut "ney t" t+e all F99 =t+ree +undred> "( t+e & W+at!andidate A didn4t :n"' 'as t+at +is "))"nent, !andidate B, 'as intriguing t" +a8e t+e rules/+anged s" t+at "nly e *ers "( t+e steering /" ittee '"uld *e eligi*le t" 8"te& !andidateB su//eeded in +is )l"t, ainly *e/ause +e /"n8in/ed t+e /" ittee e *ers t+at t+eyst""d2t" get a l"t "re "ney (r" +i t+an t+ey +ad already re/ei8ed (r" !andidate A '+"+ad +ad t" s)read +is "'n "ney uite t+in& 1+ere 'ere "nly t+irteen e *ers in t+e

/" ittee& !andidate B )aid ea/+ "( t+e N-5,999 =t'enty2(i8e t+"usand naira> andnaturally =e )+asis "urs> se'ed u) t+e n" inati"n& Le ade t+ings e8en "re /ertain *ygetting t+e /" ittee e *ers t" s'ear "n "at+ t+at t+ey '"uld n"t de(e/t& 1+e (unny )art "( it all 'as t+at !andidate A didn4t +a8e u/+ gr"und ("r l"dging a su//ess(ul )r"test& & & & W+ent+e atter 'as ta:en t" t+e nati"nal e3e/uti8e, t+e 'ise en ga8e "ut a 8erdi/t t+at S"l" "n'"uld +a8e *een )r"ud "(& 1+ey +eld t+at t+e su//ess(ul /andidate4s "nly /ri e 'as t+at +eused +is "ney "re 'isely& -

We +a8e /+"sen t" re)r"du/e t+is st"ry in (ull *e/ause it 'as e8en in its details ty)i/al "( +"' )arty /andidates '"n t+eir n" inati"ns& 1+e /andidates, in turn, *"ug+t

in(luential )e")le =in/luding /+ie(s>, t+r"ug+ '+" t+e 8"ters 'ere ulti ately *"ug+t& 1+enu *er "( )e")le t" *e *"ug+t, t+eir )ri/es, t+e nu *er "( ti es t+e )ur/+ase +ad t" ta:e)la/e, t+e ("r s "( )ay ent ='+et+er in :ind, t+at is, in (""d and drin:, "r in /as+> allde)ended "n t+e 'ealt+ "( indi8idual /andidates, t+e siCe "( t+e /"nstituen/y, t+e strategi/i )"rtan/e "( a )arti/ular /"nstituen/y and t+e state "( l"/al )"liti/s =t+at is, t+e relati"ns "(t+e "))"sing /andidates, t+e degree "( l"/al /yni/is , t+e e3tent "( )"8erty, et/>&

We "((er t+ree ain reas"ns ("r t+e )re8alen/e and de/isi8eness "( t+e use "("ney in t+e $% % ele/ti"ns0

=$> 1+e )"liti/ians +ad 8ery little /"n/rete t+at t+ey /"uld )r" ise& On t+e "t+er +and, t+e)e")le 'ere /"n8in/ed t+at t+"se see:ing ele/ti"n t" )u*li/ "((i/e "nly 'anted "))"rtunitiest" enri/+ t+e sel8es t+e /andidates t+e sel8es /"uld n"t, and did n"t, str"ngly deny t+is&1+e "nly /"n8in/ing "r i ediately re'arding a))eal 'as t+e "((er "( "ney& In any /ase,

"st "( t+e )e")le 'ere s" )""r t+at a s all gi(t "( "ney /"uld )er("r '"nders

=-> 1+e *an "n )"liti/al a/ti8ities 'as "((i/ially li(ted in Se)te *er $% , '+ile t+e (irst r"und

"( ele/ti"ns t"": )la/e early in uly $% %& 1+is eant t+at t+e )arties +ad "nly nine "nt+st" get "rganiCed, set u) )arty a/+ines, ("r ulate t+eir )r"gra es ="r at least ("r ulatet+e lies t" *e (ed t" t+e )e")le>, and )i/: t+eir /andidates, in additi"n t" a))ealing t" t+e)e")le ("r 8"tes& 1+e ti e 'as 7ust t"" s+"rt any s+"rt2/ut t" a/+ie8e t+e sa e "*7e/ti8e ele/t"ral 8i/t"ry '"uld *e 'el/" e& M"ney 'as 7ust su/+ a uni8ersal s+"rt2/ut&

=F> 1+e need ("r t+e 8ari"us (a/ti"ns "( t+e Nigerian *"urge"isie t" /"ntr"l t+e state ="r t" *et+e seni"r )artner in t+is /"ntr"l> is a li(e2and2deat+ "ne& F 1+e state is all i )"rtant0 sin/e

"st "( t+e *"urge"isie a:e t+eir "ney as ("reign anu(a/turers4 re)resentati8es,i )"rters and distri*ut"rs "( /" "dities, /"ntra/t"rs, et/&, t+ey /an *e ade and un ade"8ernig+t *y state a/ti"ns and dire/ti8es& E8ery )arty :ne' t+at its leading e *ers ig+t


23/115

/ease t" *e ri/+ en i( t+e )arty (ailed t" 'in t+e ele/ti"n& Len/e e8eryt+ing ust *e d"ne t"'in ele/ti"ns& M"ney, and '+at "ney /"uld *uy, 'ere *y (ar t+e str"ngest 'ea)"n&

M0!i/ l0tio! of Fe0-s 0!, P-e? ,ices

Ne3t t" "ney, t+e "st )"'er(ul 'ea)"n used *y )"liti/ians 'as t+e deli*erate and")en ani)ulati"n "( (ears and )re7udi/es t+at still 'eig+ +ea8ily "n t+e /"ns/i"usness "(t+e 8ast a7"rity "( Nigerians& P"liti/ians assi8ely intr"du/ed et+ni/ and religi"usdi((eren/es as ele/ti"n issues t+ey dist"rted re/ent +ist"ry and ade (rig+tening )redi/ti"ns&S" e )arties identi(ied "t+ers as 8anguards "( /ertain religi"ns, '+ile all t+e )arties a//used"ne an"t+er "( *eing t+e 8anguards "( /ertain et+ni/ gr"u)s& 1+e essage 'as /lear0 i( y"u8"te ("r Party A, y"u 'ill surely +e ensla8ed *y t+is religi"n "r t+at et+ni/ gr"u)& S" e)e")le 'ere re inded "( t+eir e3)erien/es and su((erings during t+e !i8il War0 a 8i/t"ry *yParty B ='+i/+ 'as identi(ied as 4*el"nging4 t" a )arti/ular et+ni/ gr"u) t+e et+ni/ gr"u)t+at 4/aused4 t+e 'ar> '"uld *e a )relude t" an"t+er 'ar and an"t+er r"und "( su((ering&Ot+ers 'ere re inded t+at t+e )arty su))"rted *y t+e during t+e 6irst Re)u*li/ =$%, +e /an )+ysi/ally /"n8ey +ungry 8"ters t" t+e )"llingstati"ns and )ay t+e "n t+e s)"t 4instant )ur/+ase "( 8"ters4, and s" "n& All t+ese

et+"ds 'ere assi8ely used, alt+"ug+ n"t e ually *y all t+e )arties&

W+at 'as t+e result "( t+ese ani)ulati"ns? O( a*"ut illi"n 8"ters '+" 'eresaid t" +a8e registered ("r t+e ele/ti"ns, less t+an ten illi"n a/tually 8"ted& Se8eral reas"ns+a8e *een officially gi8en ("r t+is l"' turn2"ut0 ign"ran/e "( t+e )e")le /"n/erning t+e

i )"rtan/e "( ele/ti"ns, t+e (a/t t+at any )e")le *eing illiterate /"uld n"t identi(y t+e)"lling stati"ns t" '+i/+ '+ey *el"nged, et/&


24/115

1rue, illi"ns "( Nigerians did n"t :n"' t+e i )"rtan/e "( ele/ti"ns, "r rat+er /"uldn"t a))re/iate t+e i )"rtan/e "( t+e ele/ti"n as it 'as "((i/ially )resented t" t+e & It is als"true t+at illi"ns "( "ur )e")le are illiterate, i( *y illitera/y 'e ean t+e ina*ility t" read "r

'rite& Under t+is /"nditi"n, t+ey '"uld (ind it rat+er di((i/ult t" re/"gnise t+eir na es in t+e8"ters4 lists& But "ur )e")le are arti/ulate en"ug+ t" as: literate )e")le t" +el) t+e identi(yt+eir na es and t+e )"lling stati"ns t" '+i/+ t+ey *el"nged if they actually intended to&ote&

1+e "((i/ial reas"ns (ailed t" in/lude t+e ain reas"n ("r t+e )""r turn2"ut0 a)at+y&E8ery*"dy e3/e)t =)"ssi*ly> t+e "((i/ials al"ne :ne' t+at t+e ele/ti"ns 'ere a 7":e&

Co!soli,0ti!5 the Ne " Ci ili0! Go e-! e!t

L"' did t+e ne' regi e, ele/ted *et'een uly and Se)te *er $% %, /"ns"lidateitsel(?

Alt+"ug+ t+e )r"/ess "( /"ns"lidati"n is still g"ing "n and ay /"ntinue ("r a l"ngti e t" /" e, 'e /an ne8ert+eless is"late t+e ain stages it +as )assed t+r"ug+& 1"'ardst+e end "( Se)te *er $% %, t+e "utg"ing ilitary regi e )r" ulgated a de/ree e )"'eringt+e President t" su "n t+e (irst eeting "( t+e Nati"nal Asse *ly at +is "'n /"n8enien/e&

1+e ai "( t+is de/ree =as se8eral )"liti/al /" entat"rs +a8e already )"inted "ut> 'as t"all"' t+e President t" '"r: "ut a /" ("rta*le su))"rt in t+e Nati"nal Asse *ly& 1+is"*7e/ti8e 'as realiCed in t+e agree ent *et'een t+e Nati"nal Party "( Nigeria =N&P&N&> andt+e Nigerian Pe")le4s Party =N&P&P&>& Eig+teen "( t+e nineteen state g"8ern"rs did n"t needt+is de/ree sin/e t+eir )arties /"ntr"l t+e res)e/ti8e State Asse *lies& 1+e "nly e3/e)ti"n'as Kaduna State&

1+e se/"nd stage "( /"ns"lidati"n 'as t+e a/tual /"nstituti"n "( t+e 8ari"usg"8ern ents& On t+e state le8el, t+is in8"l8ed t+e struggle ("r, and t+e distri*uti"n "(,)atr"nage )"sts as /" issi"ners, )er anent se/retaries, s)e/ial ad8isers, /+air en and

e *ers "( *"ards& 1+e )+il"s")+y "( et+ni/ *alan/ing, intrigues, trea/+ery, /yni/is , et/&,all /"n8erged t" )r"du/e t+e 8ari"us state g"8ern ents& 1+e /"nstituti"n "( t+e 6ederalG"8ern ent entailed greater di((i/ulty ("r t'" ain reas"ns& In t+e (irst )la/e, sin/e t+eNigerian Pe")le4s Party =N&P&P&> 'ent int" an allian/e 'it+ t+e Nati"nal Party "( Nigeria=N&P&N&> in "rder t" s+are "ut "((i/es =and n"t 4t" sa8e t+e nati"n4, as s" e )e")le n"'/lai >, t+e g"8ern ent +ad t" *e /"ns"lidated "n an e uita*le4 s+are "( t+e a8aila*le"((i/es& In t+e se/"nd )la/e, t+e )"liti/al 'eig+t "( t+e Unity Party "( Nigeria =U&P&N&>, as an"))"siti"n )arty, is su*stantial& 1+e g"8ern ent 'as, ne8ert+eless, /"nstituted&

1+e t+ird stage "( /"ns"lidati"n t+e )resent stage is an interesting "ne0/"ns"lidati"n t+r"ug+ disl"/ati"n ="r disintegrati"n> "( t+e ene y /a )& In +is arti/le0 41+e


25/115

St"len Presiden/y4, )u*lis+ed in t+e Sunday Tribune "(( N"8e *er , $% %, 1ai S"larin =aleading e *er "( t+e U&P&N&> ade an unusual :ind "( )redi/ti"n, na ely, t+at0

I( t+is g"8ern ent = eaning t+e 6ederal G"8ern ent> lasts ("ur years, t+e ("ur year2"ldN&P&N& 'ill +a8e *een (ir ly )lanted as G"8ern ent Party e8ery'+ere, and t+e U&P&N&, t+eG&N&P&P&, t+e N&P&P& and t+e P&R&P& 'ill +a8e *een drained t" anni+ilati"n, *"t+ in e *ers+i)

it is already starting and in "rale& 1+e $% F ele/ti"n '"uld, t+ere("re, *e *et'een t+eN&P&N& and t+e Re8"luti"nary Party '+i/+ +a8ing studied +"' t+e N&P&N& /a e t" )"'er:n"'s e3a/tly '+at t" d" t" su))lant t+e N&P&N& ("r t+e )residen/y& 1+ere '"uld t+en *e a/"n(usi"n "n t+e nati"nal ra(t& 1+en a s)las+& 1+en /" "ti"n a "ng t+e s+ar:s& And 'e,t+e /" "n )e")le, 'ill +a8e, as 8i/ti s, )aid t+e su)re e sa/ri(i/e&

We agree t+at "nly a re8"luti"nary agen/y, (ig+ting /"nsistently ("r an entirely ne's"/ial "rder, /an e8er disl"dge t+e N&P&N& (r" )"'er& But 'e d" n"t s+are 1ai S"larin4s)essi is & It ar"se (r" t+e (a/t t+at +e ade a se)arati"n *et'een t+e )e")le and t+ere8"luti"nary )arty a ty)e "( se)arati"n t+at d"es e3ist /urrently *et'een t+e )e")le andt+e e3isting )"liti/al )arties& A genuine re8"luti"n /an "nly *e ade *y t+e )e")le under t+eleaders+i) "( t+eir re8"luti"nary "rganiCati"n, and su/+ a re8"luti"n de ands t+e +ig+est("r s "( ")ti is and "ral /"urage& W+en *"urge"is )"liti/al )arties (ig+t ("r )"'er "8ert+e +eads "( t+e )e")le, ani)ulating and e3)l"iting t+eir (ears and iseries, t+en t+e)e")le /ann"t *ut *e 8i/ti s& N"r /an t+ese )arties *e said t" *e (ig+ting ("r t+e )e")le4sinterests& But '+en t+e )e")le stand u) t" (ig+t ("r t+eir /"rre/tly /"n/ei8ed interests, t+ey/ann"t *e said t" *e )aying 4t+e su)re e sa/ri(i/e4 =a ysti/al ter >0 t+ey /an "nly *e saidt" *e )er("r ing a +ist"ri/ duty t" t+e sel8es and t" (uture generati"ns&

L"'e8er, a /"rre/t )redi/ti"n a*"ut t+e )"liti/al (uture "( t+is /"untry /ann"t *eade in is"lati"n (r" a /"nsiderati"n "( t+e /"n/rete easures *eing ta:en *y t+e )resent

/i8ilian regi e& 1+ere is a '"rld "( di((eren/e *et'een /"n/rete easures and )r" ises& And in Nigeria a land "( un(ul(illed )r" ises t+is di((eren/e assu es a )arti/ularly largedi ensi"n& As ("r ele/t"ral )r" ises, e8eryt+ing under t+e +ea8ens 'as )r"/lai ed as a,re'ard ("r 8"ting ("r "ne )arty "r t+e "t+er& 1+ere 'ere, in (a/t, t'" sets "( )r" ises0general )r" ises and s)e/i(i/ )r" ises& General )r" ises in/luded t+"se "( g""d r"ads,g""d drin:ing 'ater, +ig+ uality edu/ati"n, a*"liti"n "( ar ed r"**ery, l"ans ("r e8eryNigerian t" *uild +is "'n +"use, res)"nsi8e g"8ern ent, t+e rule "( la', a*"liti"n "( )"8erty,li(e2 "re2a*undant, )aradise2"n2eart+ et/& S)e/i(i/ )r" ises in/luded (ree edu/ati"n, (ree

edi/al& ser8i/es, a*"liti"n "( /attle and /" unity ta3es, and li(ting "( t+e *an "n t+eNati"nal Uni"n "( Nigerian Students =N&U&N&S&>& 1+e ain di((eren/e *et'een general ands)e/i(i/ )r" ises lies in t+e )"ssi*ility, "r "t+er'ise, =i( /riti/iCing a (ailure t" (ul(il t+e &W+ereas "ne /an easily )in)"int and t+ere("re /riti/iCe, a (ailure t" (ul(il a s)e/i(i/ )r" ise,general )r" ises 2 *e/ause t+ey are 8ague and elusi8e /ann"t *e easily )inned d"'n&

A student, ("r e3a )le, eit+er )ays s/+""l (ees "r d"es n"t t+ere is n" t+ird ")ti"n& A )atient is eit+er as:ed t" )ay +"s)ital (ees "r +e is n"t& I( s" e ("r s "( ta3ati"n area*"lis+ed, t+e e((e/t "( t+is easure 'ill *e (elt i ediately& But under Nigerian /"nditi"ns,

+"' d"es "ne a/tually )in)"int a (ailure t" eradi/ate )"8erty, )r"8ide "re (""d, institute t+erule "( la', )r"8ide +ig+ uality edu/ati"n? We :n"', ("r instan/e, t+at t+e )r"/ess "(a'arding a /"ntra/t ("r t+e /"nstru/ti"n "r re/"nstru/ti"n "( a r"ad ay ta:e "8er t'" years


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t+e a/tual /"nstru/ti"n itsel( ay ta:e a de/ade& In t+e interi , +"'e8er, it is i )"ssi*le t"a//use t+e g"8ern ent "( negle/ting r"ads&

1" t+e *est "( "ur :n"'ledge "nly t'" "( t+e (i8e )"liti/al )arties ade s)e/i(i/, t+atis /"n/rete, )r" ises& 1+e "t+ers erely daCed t+e )e")le 'it+ /atal"gues "( generalities&

L"' d"es "ne assess t+e /a)a/ity "( an entirely ne' )"liti/al )arty t" realise its)r" ises? 1+e (irst /riteri"n is, "*8i"usly, its a*ility t" 'in an ele/ti"n, *y (air eans "r ("ul&1+e se/"nd is t+e /+ara/ter "( t+e )arty itsel(& I( t+e )arty "( *usiness ty/""ns, (at landl"rds,

ten2)er/entersJ tells us t+at 'ill a*"lis+ )"8erty, 'e are 7usti(ied in res)"nding /yni/ally t"su/+ a )r" ise& Si ilarly, a +ierar/+i/al aut"/rati/ "rganisati"n, '+"se leaders res)"nd t")u*li/ ")ini"n and de and 'it+ insensiti8ity, /ann"t *e seri"us a*"ut instituting e uality andt+e rule "( la'&

But t+e ele/ti"ns +a8e /" e and g"ne& 1+e )e")le are su))"sed t" +a8e 8"ted(reely and rati"nally ("r t+e )arties "( t+eir /+"i/e& I( t+ese /riteria +a8e any 8alue, t+eys+"uld *e *"rne in ind ("r $% F and *ey"nd& 6"r t+e )resent letters /"nsider t+e /i8ilianregi eJs )er("r an/e sin/e O/t"*er $% %&

Its Reco-,

W+en t+e President addressed t+e Se/"nd Annual !"n8enti"n "( t+e Nati"nal Party"( Nigeria =N&P&N&> +e listed t+e a/+ie8e ents "( +is regi e& 1+ese /"nsisted "( t+ea))"int ent "( )"liti/al "((i/ers and t+e inaugurati"n "( 8ari"us /" issi"ns& N"t+ing "re&We :n"', "( /"urse, t+at a ne' regi e ust /"nstitute t+e 8ari"us statut"ry agen/ies and/" issi"ns ne/essary ("r e((e/ti8e g"8ernan/e& But "ne '"uld +a8e e3)e/ted t+at a/i8ilian g"8ern ent, /" ing t" )"'er a(ter a $F2year ilitary di/tat"rs+i) 2 '"uldi ediately d" something s" et+ing ("r t+e )e")le t+at +ad *"rne t+e ain *runt "( t+edi/tat"rs+i) 2 t" signi(y a real *rea: 'it+ t+e )ast and t" 7usti(y t+e ter inati"n "( ilitary rule&We are still 'aiting&

But i( t+e ne' regi e +as n"t d"ne anyt+ing /"n/rete ("r t+e )e")le, it +asne8ert+eless d"ne s" et+ing ("r itsel(0 t+e )res/ri)ti"n "( (at salaries ='+at is /alledre unerati"n> *y t+e Nati"nal Asse *ly ("r its e *ers and ("r "t+er )u*li/ "((i/ers& It isn"te'"rt+y t+at any )e")le /ried "ut against t+is )arti/ular atte )t t" l""t t" t+e nati"n& Itis e ually n"te'"rt+y t+at t+e (irst e3er/ise "( t+e Presidential 8et" )"'er, 'as +is ")en"))"siti"n t" t+e (at salaries&

W+ere d" 'e g" (r" +ere? 1+e Nati"nal Asse *ly /ann"t *e de(eated at least

"n t+e uesti"n "( )res/ri*ing )ri8ileges ("r itsel(& Its strengt+ in t+is atter lies in t+e (a/tt+at it is united0 )r"gressi8es and rea/ti"naries, )")ulists and (as/ists, +u anists and anti2


27/115

+u anists, are all agreed t+at t+ey deser8ed t+e )res/ri*ed salaries& Sin/e /"n(r"nting t+ePresident '"uld *e danger"us, t+e Nati"nal Asse *ly de8ised a su*tle 'ay "( 7usti(ying its)"siti"n& 6irst, it re uested a state ent "n t+e nati"n4s e/"n" y a re uest '+i/+ "ug+t t"+a8e *een ade *e("re t+e (i3ing "( salaries& Se/"ndly, a nu *er "( +ig+2ran:ing )u*li/(un/ti"naries and *ureau/rats 'ere su "ned *e("re a /" ittee "( t+e Nati"nal Asse *lyt" de/lare t+eir salaries and )ri8ileges& It 'as a 8ery /le8er )l"y

1+e "ut/" e "( t+ese an"eu8res is )redi/ta*le& S" e /"n/essi"ns 'ill *e ade t"t+e President4s ")ini"n, t+e )ress and t+e )u*li/ 'ill *e re*u:ed ("r t+eir disres)e/t t"'ardst+e la'2 a:ers "( t+e land, ini al redu/ti"ns 'ill *e ade in t+e interest "( t+e nati"n

"n t+e )res/ri*ed salaries& 1+erea(ter, t+e atter 'ill *e /l"sed and +ist"ry 'ill "8e "n&

#et us n"' l"": at t+e u))er +"use "( t+e Nati"nal Asse *ly t+e Senate& 1+is +as*e/" e t+e ain s/ene "( t+e ne' regi eJs a/ti8ity&

1+e )r"/ess "( /"n(ir ing t+e PresidentJs inisterial n" inees 'as a )r"tra/ted andand tur*ulent "ne, raising t+e uesti"n '+y t+e Senate, s" united in t+e (i3ing "( (at salaries,s+"uld *e t"rn a)art "n t+e uesti"n "( /"n(ir ing inisterial a))"int ents? We aresur)rised *e/ause t+e uesti"n "( all"/ating t+e nati"ns res"ur/es is "re i )"rtant t" t+e)e")le t+an '+" *e/" es t+e inister in a g"8ern ent '+"se *asi/ /+ara/ter +as *eendeter ined& O( /"urse, 'e are (ar (r" saying t+at senat"rs +a8e n" rig+t, "r e8en"*ligati"n, t" uesti"n t+e integrity "( s" e inisterial n" inees& W+at 'e uesti"ning is

t+e status i )"rtan/e assigned t" t+at tas:&

1+e )r"/la ati"n "( (ree edu/ati"n and (ree edi/al ser8i/es 'as und"u*tedly aa7"r *rea: 'it+ t+e )ast it is a /"n/rete a eli"rati"n "( t+e su((ering "( t+e )e")le& But it is

"ne t+ing t" a:e )r"/la ati"n and uite an"t+er t+ing t" /arry it t+r"ug+ +"nestly andt+"r"ug+ly& Ulti ately, t+e )r"/la ati"n 'ill *e +"nest and t+"r"ug+ "nly i( t+e *urden li(ted(r" t+e s+"ulders "( t+e )e")le in t+e s)+ere "( edu/ati"n and +ealt+ is n"t rei )"sed in"t+er s)+eres "( s"/ial li(e& A*"8e all, t+is /alls ("r )"liti/al 'ill& As 'e all :n"', n"t e8ery"neis +a))y 'it+ t+e a*"liti"n "( )ri8ileged s/+""ls& 1+e "))"nents "( t+is easure 'ill try all

eans t" ensure its (ailure& 1+ere("re t" su//eed, t+e aut+"rities ust realise t+at, a)art(r" a real reall"/ati"n "( res"ur/es '+i/+ is t+e easure i )lies 2 i( it is t" *e e3e/uted+"nestly and t+"r"ug+ly 2 t+ere are i ense ad inistrati8e and )+ysi/al )r"*le s in8"l8ed&1+ese )r"*le s ust *e ta/:led and all t+"se '+" regard t+e sel8es as ilitants and)r"gressi8es in t+e )arty /"n/erned ust see t" t+ese )r"*le s rat+er t+an atta/:ing t+ealready esta*lis+ed (ederal g"8ern ent in t+e )ages "( t+e ne's)a)ers&

Our /" ent "n t+e a*"liti"n "( /" unity and /attle ta3es ("ll"'s t+e sa e line0t+e ne/essity ("r t+is easure t" *e e3e/uted +"nestly, /"nsistently and t+"r"ug+ly& In/arrying t+r"ug+ t+is easure, t+e g"8ern ents /"n/erned need n"t '"rry t+e sel8es

a*"ut t+e (eelings "( "t+er state g"8ern ents "r )arties& 1+ey s+"uld rat+er deri8e t+eir/"urage and 'ill (r" t+e asses 2 t+e 'ret/+ed "( t+e eart+&


28/115

Besides t+ese t+ree easures a*"liti"n "( s/+""l (ees, +"s)ital (ees and/" unity and /attle ta3es '+"se e3e/uti"n is *y n" eans guaranteed, t+ere are "t+er

easures ="r atte )ted easures> '+i/+ are '"rt+y "( enti"n n"t *e/ause t+ey are

/"n/rete "r signi(i/ant *ut "n a//"unt "( t+e unusually n"isy /"ntr"8ersy and e3+i*iti"nisa//" )anying t+e & 1+ese are t+e a*"liti"n "( t+e /" )uls"ry use "( "t"r2/y/le /ras++el ets, t+e ter inati"n "( 8ari"us /"ntra/t a'ards, t+e instituti"n "( 8ari"us /" issi"ns "( en uiry, and t+e de/larati"n "( se8eral )arts "( t+e /"untry as disaster C"nes&

Our rea/ti"n t" t+ese a/ts "( s+"' ans+i) is si )ly t" )"int t" "ur "'n +ist"ry&W+en t+e last ilitary g"8ern ent =$% 52 %> /a e t" )"'er, it daCed Nigeria and t+e '+"le'"rldQ 'it+ a *arrage "( /" issi"ns "( en uiry, tas: ("r/es, /"ntra/t ter inati"ns anda'ards, dis issals and retire ents, e3e/uti"ns, l"ng state ents, et/& W+en it le(t "((i/e inSe)te *er $% %, '+at did 'e see? @"id&

We s+all end "n a +u "r"us n"te0 t+e '"rd tala%a'a eans t+e /" "n )e")le,t+at is, t+e "))ressed, e3)l"ited and d" inated )e")le& 1" s"l8e t+e )r"*le "( t+etala%a'a , t+e Kan" and Kaduna state g"8ern ents )r")"sed t+e a*"liti"n "( /" unity and/attle ta3es& 1" s"l8e t+e sa e )r"*le , t+e Plateau state g"8ern ent )r")"sed an e8ensi )ler s"luti"n a*"liti"n "( t+e '"rd itsel(

Refe-e!ces

$& O( /"urse, t+e Nigerian Ele/t"ral De/ree sti)ulates t+at /i8il ser8ants, traditi"nal rulers,e *ers "( t+e ar ed ("r/es and 7udi/iary ust n"t *el"ng t" )"liti/al )arties& But '+at t+is

)r"8isi"n really eans is t+at t+ese "((i/ials and agents "( t+e *"urge"is state must not beseen to belong t" )"liti/al )arties0 t+ey ust +el) )reser8e t+e yt+ "( state neutrality a

yt+ '+i/+, '+en e((e/ti8ely *r":en, 'ill /"nstitute a a7"r re8"luti"n, a *rea:t+r"ug+ in t+e/"untry&

-& Daily 1i es =Nigeria4s "st 'idely /ir/ulating daily )a)er> De/e *er $$, $% &

F& We d"u*t '+et+er t+e uesti"n "( '+i/+ "( t+e t'" d" inant )arties eit+er in t+e UnitedStates "( A eri/a "r in Britain 'ins an ele/ti"n e8er assu es su/+ a li(e2and2deat+i )"rtan/e& We d"u*t '+et+er t+e ulti2 illi"naires and *ar"ns "( ultinati"nal /" )anies'"uld l"se t+eir ("rtunes si )ly *e/ause "ne "r t+e "t+er "( t+e *"urge"is )arties /" es t")"'er& 1+at t+is is t+e /ase in Nigeria is a testi "ny t" t+e *a/:'ard2ness "( t+e e/"n" yand t+e r"le "( Nigeria in t+e '"rld /a)italist di8isi"n "( la*"ur&

& A s+"rt st"ry illustrates +"' *la/: ail /"uld *e used& 6"rty2nine )ers"ns, in/luding a8illage +ead +a8e a))eared in /"urt ("r +"lding a )"liti/al eeting& & & & 1+e /"urt 'as t"ldt+at in +is address t+e /+ie( /" )elled t+e 8illagers t" 8"te ("r n" "t+er )arty e3/e)t t+eNati"nal Party "( Nigeria& 1+e /"urt (urt+er +eard +"' t+e /+ie( t+reatened t" in8":e

*ia 7u7u "n any )ers"n in t+e 8illage '+" '"uldn4t 8"te ("r t+e )arty& & & &4 The

Nigerian Chronicle , a daily ne's)a)er )u*lis+ed in !ala*ar, uly - , $% %, )&%&


29/115

*. A! +!,e-,e elo/e, C0/it0list Eco!o 2

The Neo&c0/it0list =Re ol tio!=: 1#'%&(%

1+e ne' )r"s)erity (r" t+e "il industry, '+i/+ *egan at t+e end "( t+e $%< 2 9 !i8ilWar, rein("r/ed in t+e Nigerian *"urge"isie t+e +")e "( *uilding and de8el")ing /a)italis &But t" de8el") /a)italis it is n"t en"ug+ t" /"ntain all "))"siti"n (r" t+e e3)l"ited and"))ressed /lasses it is e ually ne/essary t" /"ntain "r regulate t+e /"ntradi/ti"ns andstruggles *et'een t+e 8ari"us (a/ti"ns "( t+e *"urge"isie& A *itterly di8ided ruling /lass/ann"t de8el") anyt+ing /a)italis "r s"/ialis &

1+e Nigerian *"urge"isie +a8e al'ays *een a'are "( t+e need ("r unity 'it+in t+eir"'n /lass& But *e("re t+e $%


30/115

Wit+ t+e end "( t+e War and t+e uni(i/ati"n "( t+e /"untry, t+e uesti"n "( unity in t+e*"urge"is /lass as a ne/essary /"nditi"n ("r t+e de8el") ent "( /a)italis +ad t" *e)"sed again& In $% $, Allis"n Ayida, "ne "( t+e "st in(luential "( t+e (ederal )er anentse/retaries, ("r ulated t+e /"nditi"ns ("r /a)italist re8"luti"n in Nigeria& Inter2et+ni/ andinter2state ri8alry ust st") de8el") ent "*7e/ti8es ust *e a*"8e )"liti/s t+e 6ederalG"8ern ent ust ")erate 4a syste '+i/+ :n"'s n" l"yalty "t+er t+an l"yalty t" t+e nati"nand t+e )e")le4 F t+e ("r ulati"n and aintenan/e "( Plan "*7e/ti8es ust *e le(t t" t+ee3e/uti8e 4 ade u) "( inisters, )lanners, ad inistrat"rs and "t+er )u*li/ "((i/ials&4

1+e e )+asis 'as "n t+e need t" aintain and )r" "te t+e su)re a/y "( t+e(ederal aut+"rity "8er state and et+ni/ (a/ti"ns& 1+is e )+asis still re ains0 t+e su)re a/y"( t+e (ederal aut+"rity is t+e "nly ("r "( *"urge"is unity )"ssi*le in t+e Nigerian situati"n

sin/e t+ere is a /"untless nu *er "( et+ni/ *"urge"is (a/ti"ns, agitating ("r a 4(air s+are4"( t+e nati"nal /a:e& 1+e *"urge"is /ry ("r nati"nal unity is, in (a/t, a /ry ("r t+e unity "( t+e*"urge"is /lass& But t+is need +as t" *e uni8ersaliCed sin/e t+e )r"du/ti"n "( %9 (ruits "(

unity +as t" /" e (r" t+e s'eat "( t+e "))ressed and e3)l"ited asses& 1+e Se/"ndNati"nal De8el") ent Plan =$% 92 > 'as t+ere("re ade t" arti/ulate t+e ne' uni8ersalide"l"gy "( nati"nal unity& A//"rding t" t+is ide"l"gy, Nigeria ust *e esta*lis+ed as0 $> aunited, str"ng and sel(2reliant nati"n -> a great and dyna i/ e/"n" y F> a 7ust andegalitarian s"/iety > a land "( *rig+t and (ull "))"rtunities ("r all /itiCens 5> a (ree andde "/rati/ s"/iety&

1+e ide"l"gy /"ntinues0

A 7ust and egalitarian s"/iety )uts )re iu "n redu/ing ine ualities and inter2)ers"nalin/" es and )r" "ting *alan/ed de8el") ent a "ng t+e 8ari"us /" unities in t+edi((erent ge"gra)+i/al areas "( t+e /"untry& It "rganises its e/"n" i/ instituti"ns in su/+ a 'ayt+at t+ere is n" "))ressi"n *ased "n /lass, s"/ial status, et+ni/ gr"u) "r state& 5

But *e+ind t+ese )latitudes lie t+e real )r"*le s "( *"urge"is unity, t+e real )r"*le s"( /a)italist de8el") ent in Nigeria& A//"rding t" Ga8in Willia s, t+e de8el") ent "(/a)italis in Nigeria re uires0

$> 1+e su)re a/y "( t+e (ederal state "8er *"t+ state g"8ern ents and )ri8ate and se/ti"nalinterests, and t+e regulati"n "( /" )etiti"n a "ng t+e ("r t+e all"/ati"n "( state )atr"nage-> regulati"n and ad7ust ent "( t+e relati"ns *et'een Nigerian and ("reign /a)italists F>regulati"n and ad7ust ent "( t+e relati"ns *et'een )u*li/ and )ri8ate e/"n" i/ a/ti8ity >regulati"n and ad7ust ent "( relati"ns *et'een /a)italist and n"n2/a)italist "des "()r"du/ti"n, )arti/ularly *et'een t+e need ("r sur)lus a))r")riati"n (r" , and ("r de8el") ent"(, )easant )r"du/ti"n, 5> regulati"n and ad7ust ent "( relati"ns *et'een t+e e3)l"iting /lassand t+e e3)l"ited /lasses, es)e/ially t+e )r"letariat and e3)"rt /r") (ar ers t+earti/ulati"n "( a 4nati"nal ide"l"gy4 and t+e in/ul/ati"n "( /" it ents t" t+e sy *"ls "(nati"nal aut+"rity&


31/115

1+e su//essi8e (ederal ilitary regi es (r" $%< t" $% % )arti/ularly t" t+e last"ne =$% 52 %> /" itted t+e sel8es t", and /"nstituted t+e *"urge"is 8anguard ("r, t+eres"luti"n "( t+ese )r"*le s& In t+is e(("rt t+ey ("und a str"ng ally in t+e (ederal *ureau/rati/*"urge"isie&

E8ery )assing day a:es t+e uesti"n "( nati"nal unity "re urgent& 1+e *asis "(t+is urgen/y +as al'ays *een t+e "il *"" & In $% $2 - "il re8enues "( N< 9 illi"n )r"8ided+al( "( g"8ern ent re8enue& By $% 52 < t+ey +ad risen t" N ,


32/115

1+e a7"r *ene(i/iaries "( t+e de/ree 'ere t+e *ureau/rati/ *"urge"isie '+" 'ereres)"nsi*le ("r t+e ("r ulati"n and e3e/uti"n "( t+e de/ree>, indigeniCed e3)atriate (ir s='+" 'ere t" e((e/t t+e sale "( s+ares t" t+e )u*li/4>, /" er/ial *an: e3e/uti8es ='+" 'ere

t" gi8e l"ans t" t+e t" )ur/+ase indigeniCed enter)rises "r s+ares> and (inally t+e/" er/ial *"urge"isie =t+e 4*usiness en4> '+" al"ne )"ssessed t+e real "))"rtunity t"*uy s+ares and enter)rises t+r"ug+ t+eir a//ess t" *an: l"ans&

1+e '"r:ing /lass, as a /"r)"rate *"dy, gained n"t+ing eit+er e/"n" i/ally "rs"/ially (r" t+e de/ree& 1+e "((er "( $9 "( s+ares t" '"r:ers 'it+in an industry assti)ulated *y t+e de/ree is yet t" *e i )le ented& $F 1+e '"r:ing /lass re ains

arginaliCed in relati"n t" t+e s)read "( "il )r"s)erity and t+e *ene(its "( indigeniCati"n&

In "rder t" guarantee t+e triu )+ "( t+eir interests in *ig uesti"ns4, #e"n 1r"ts:ysaid, 4t+e ruling /lasses are /"nstrained t" a:e /"n/essi"ns "n se/"ndary uesti"ns,naturally "nly s" l"ng as t+ese /"n/essi"ns are re/"n/iled in t+e *"":2:ee)ing4& $ 1+eNigerian ruling /lasses atte )ted, "n /ertain "//asi"ns during t+e )eri"d $% 92 5, t" a:e)")ular /"n/essi"ns )arti/ularly t" t+e '"r:ing /lass& 1+ese /"n/essi"ns t"": t+e ("r "( )eri"di/ nati"nal u)'ard re8isi"ns "( 'ages in $% 92 $ and $% 2 5&

1+e *"urge"isie, +"'e8er, t"": ste)s t" ensure n"t "nly t+at t+e /"n/essi"ns 'ere

n"t e3tended *ey"nd *"unds, *ut als" t+at t+e (ruits "( t+ese /"n/essi"ns 'ere ui/:ly ande((e/ti8ely rea))r")riated as sur)lus& 1+e /+ain "( anti2la*"ur de/rees ='+"se /u ulati8ee((e/t 'as t" "utla' a/ti8e trade uni"nis "n )ain "( detenti"n "r deat+> ade it di((i/ult("r '"r:ers t" as: e((e/ti8ely ("r 'age re8isi"ns *ey"nd, "r di((erent (r" , '+at t+eg"8ern ent +ad "((ered t+e )r"+i*iti"n "( (urt+er 'age in/reases =e3/e)t t+"se aut+"rised*y t+e g"8ern ent> and in(lati"n t"get+er a*s"r*ed t+e arginal *ene(its arising (r" t+ene' 'age and salary stru/ture&

Mech0!is s of 9o-@i!5&Cl0ss Re/-essio!

1+e anti2la*"ur de/rees, )r" ulgated during t+e $F2year )eri"d "( ilitary rule=$%


33/115

t+e 6ederal !" issi"ner ("r #a*"ur& Addressing t+e & 1+e ne' trade uni"n

stru/ture t" '+i/+ t+e g"8ern ent 'as /" itted is t+e )resent strea lined and +ea8ily*ureau/ratiCed la*"ur "8e ent in t+e /"untry& 1+is *ureau/rati/ a/+ine a/ts as t+e (irstlayer "( /+e/: "n t+e '"r:ing /lass, sin/e t+e stru/ture and t+e /"nstituti"n t+at ("r aliCes it

/" )letely "utla' '"r:ers4 self"determining acti&ity 0 e8ery /"r)"rate de and *y '"r:ers+as t" *e /+annelled t+r"ug+ t+is +uge a/+ine (r" '+en/e it rarely re2e erges&6urt+er "re, la*"ur *ureau/ra/y "((ers "ne "( t+e *est "))"rtunities ("r sel(2)r" "ti"n int+e /"untry& 1+e President "( t+e Nigerian #a*"ur !"ngress earns N$ , 99 a year in a/"untry '+ere t+e a7"rity "( '"r:ers earn less t+an N$,999 a year&

Sin/e '"r:ers4 )r"tests i&e& stri:es +a8e *een *anned and "((enders are lia*let" )ris"n ter s and t+e l"ss "( t+eir 7"*s ='+i/+ ("r la*"ur *ureau/rats eans t+e l"ss "( (atsalaries> t+e ne', la*"ur *ureau/ra/y, /"nstituted largely "( degenerated "))"rtunists and/areerists, si )ly rules "ut t+e )"ssi*ility "( t+e la*"ur "8e ent e8er ad")ting are8"luti"nary )"sture& In e((e/t, i( n"t in '"rds, t+e ne' la*"ur *ureau/ra/y n"' ")eratescompletely 'it+in t+e (ra e'"r: )res/ri*ed *y t+e state0

1+e 1rade Uni"ns in Nigeria are a *ran/+ "( t+e s"/ial tree and n"t an arti(i/iala))endage& 6"r t+is reas"n, t+e interests "( t+e uni"ns s+"uld e3tend *ey"nd t+e/"lle/ti8e *argaining as)e/ts& 1+ey s+"uld /"n/ern t+e sel8es 'it+ t+e ulti ates"/ial and e/"n" i/ g"als "( t+e s"/iety& $<

+!-esol e, Co!flicts 9ithi! the R li!5 Cl0ss

1+e ruling /lass, under t+e leaders+i) "( t+e ilitary regi e =$%


34/115

1+ese seri"us di8isi"ns 'it+in t+e ruling /lass, re(le/ted in t+e state a))aratus *ut"(ten /"n/ealed under t+e sl"gans "( 4nati"nal unity4, 4)"liti/al sta*ility4, 4territ"rial integrity4,4nati"nal se/urity4, et/&, *urst asunder in $% 5, )redi/ta*ly "8er t+e "il uesti"n& 6"r, sin/e$% 9, t+e struggles 'it+in t+e *"urge"isie +a8e *een /entred ar"und t+e issue "( /"ntr"l anddistri*uti"n "( "il re8enues and t+e +"st "( e3)"rt2i )"rt and /" er/ial enter)rises '+i/+in/reased earnings (r" "il +a8e *""sted&

1+e coup d.etat "( uly $% 5 s+"'ed t+at t+e *"urge"isie 'ere (ar (r" s"l8ing t+e(unda ental )r"*le "( unity =n"r are t+ey nearer t+e s"luti"n 'ilily>& General a:u*uG"'"n, t+e Nigerian Lead "( State (r" August $% e8en de8el") ent& 1+e realiCati"n "( t+ese "*7e/ti8es,a//"rding t" t+e *"urge"isie and t+eir intelle/tual re)resentati8es, de)ends largely "nnati"nal dis/i)line, t+e trans(er "( te/+n"l"gy =in/luding t+e trans(er "( anagerial /a)a*ility>and a ne' internati"nal e/"n" i/ "rder&

But as 'it+ all t+eir *attle/ries '+en /"n(r"nted *y a/ute nati"nal /rises, t+e*"urge"isie are e3tre ely /"n(used and e/le/ti/ in t+eir understanding ltd )r"(essi"n "( t+eneed ("r sel(2relian/e& #et us, t+ere("re, try t" *ring s" e "rder int" t+is su*7e/t&

1" *e sel(2reliant is not t" 'it+dra' /" )letely (r" t+e '"rld ar:et, as s" eut")ians *"t+ (r" t+e Rig+t and t+e #e(t ad8"/ate& 1" *e sel(2reliant, is t" /reate t+e/"nditi"ns under '+i/+ t+e need and i )etus ("r de8el") ent /" es (r" 'it+in and n"t(r" 'it+"ut t" *e sel(2reliant, a /"untry ust a3i ally e3)l"it, "*iliCe and de)l"y itsnatural and +u an res"ur/es ("r t+e realiCati"n "( its nati"nal "*7e/ti8es& 1+erea(ter, t+e/"untry /an l"": inside its *"rders ("r eans "( su))le enting its e(("rts&


35/115

W+at t+is i ediately i )lies is t+at t+e 8"lu e "( e3)"rts 'ill *e deter ined "nly'+en t+e )r"du/ts eant ("r e3)"rt =e&g& /rude "il> +a8e *een )ut t" a3i al use internally"r +a8e *een )lanned ("r su/+ use& It als" i )lies t+at t+e /+ara/ter "( i )"rts =na ely,'+at is i )"rted and in '+at uantity> ust *e deter ined *y t+e a3i al use ="r )r"7e/ted

a3i al use> "( internal res"ur/es t" satis(y genuine nati"nal needs&

1" *e sel(2reliant in t+e agri/ultural se/t"r "( t+e e/"n" y an"t+er *"urge"is*attle/ry is n"t "nly t" *e sel(2su((i/ient in (""d )r"du/ti"n =as 'e are "(ten ade t"*elie8e>, *ut als" t" *ase industrial de8el") ent = 'hat is anu(a/tured and ho' is is

anu(a/tured> "n agri/ulture& But e8en '+en 'e restri/t "ursel8es t" t+e *"urge"is("r ulati"n "( t+is g"al =sel(2su((i/ien/y in (""d )r"du/ti"n>, 'e /ann"t es/a)e t+e essentials"( an agri/ultural re8"luti"n a ra)id rise in agri/ultural "ut)ut and )r"du/ti8ity "(agri/ultural la*"ur&

I( Nigeria is t" st") i )"rting (""d =it +as *een esti ated t+at an a8erage "( N 9illi"n '"rt+ "( (""d 'as i )"rted "nt+ly in $% >, t+en *"t+ t+e 8"lu e "( (""d )r"du/ti"n

and t+e )r"du/ti8ity "( (""d2)r"du/ing la*"ur ust rise& 1+ese are t '" sides "( t+e sa e/"in and t+ey are inti ately lin:ed&

1" in/rease t+e 8"lu e "( (""d )r"du/ti"n, it is n"t ne/essary t" *ring "re )e")leint" t+is a/ti8ity a)art (r" t+e (a/t t+at "re t+an , 'e +a8e als" seen t+at t+e /a )aign t" get

e8ery"ne engage in )art2ti e (ar ing =O)erati"n 6eed t+e Nati"n> +as yielded little result inter s "( in/rease in t"tal nati"nal (""d "ut)ut& 1" in/rease (""d "ut)ut, t" t+e e3tent "(a:ing t+e /"untry sel(2su((i/ient, all t+at is needed is t" initiate easures ai ed at a radi/al

in/rease in t+e2)r"du/ti8ity "( agri/ultural la*"ur&

1+is eans an in/rease in t+e )r"du/ti8ity "( t+e +u an )r"du/ers t+e (ar ers& And t+e t"tal )r"du/ti8ity "( (ar ers 'ill "nly *e in/reased '+en an a8erage (ar er )r"du/es

"re )er unit "( la*"ur ti e t+an is )re8i"usly t+e /ase& 6"r t+is t" +a))en su/+ t+at t+e/"untry *e/" es sel(2su((i/ient in (""d, /"nditi"ns "( rural li(e standards "( li8ing, +ealt+,edu/ati"n, +"using, 'ater and ele/tri/ity su))lies, and /" uni/ati"n net'"r:s, ust all*e radi/ally i )r"8ed& 1+is is i )erati8e sin/e +u an *eings /"nstitute t+e ain )r"du/ti8e("r/es 'e /ann"t tal: a*"ut )r"du/ti8ity "( la*"ur 'it+"ut /"nsidering t+e +u an /"nditi"ns"( t+e +u an )r"du/ers&

It is e ually ne/essary t" re8"luti"niCe t+e te/+ni/al as)e/ts "( )r"du/ti"n, na ely,t+e i )le ents and et+"ds "( )r"du/ti"n& Ma/+etes and +"es ust *e re)la/ed, n"tne/essarily *y "dern agri/ultural a/+inery *ased "n ad8an/ed te/+n"l"gy, *ut at least *y

a/+inery *ased "n t+e s"2/alled inter ediate te/+n"l"gies& 1+e )r"7e/ted a/+ines andt+e te/+n"l"gies and res"ur/es "n '+i/+ t+ey '"uld *e *ased /an *e des/ri*ed as ("ll"'s0


36/115

$> Unli:e "dern a/+ines '+i/+ are /a)ital2intensi8e and /arry 'it+ t+e /a)italistrelati"ns "( )r"du/ti"n, inter ediate a/+ines '"uld +a8e t" *e la*"ur2intensi8e and ust*e a*le *"t+ t" 4esta*lis+ s"/ialist relati"ns "( )r"du/ti"n and de8el") )r"du/ti8e ("r/ese8en *ey"nd t+e le8el rea/+ed *y /a)italis J0 ("r it is *"t+ e/"n" i/ally and s"/iallydesira*le t" re8"luti"niCe et+"ds and instru ents "( )r"du/ti"n 'it+"ut dis)"ssessing

illi"ns "( )e")le "r t+r"'ing t+e "(( t+eir eans "( li8eli+""d '+i/+ 'as t+e ain(eature "( t+e agri/ultural re8"luti"n in England&

-> 1+e inter ediate a/+ines ust *e *ased, n"t "n i )"rts =eit+er "( ra' aterials "r s"2/alled e3)ertise>, *ut "n l"/al natural and +u an res"ur/es& 1+"usands "( e/+ani/s,*la/:s it+s, engineers, te/+ni/ians, and "t+ers at )resent '"r:ing in is"lati"n, /an *e

"*iliCed nati"nally *"t+ ("r designing and )r"du/ing t+ese a/+ines "n a ass s/ale&

All in all, sel(2su((i/ien/y in (""d )r"du/ti"n ="r agri/ultural )r"du/ti"n, in general>re uires n"t 7ust t+at 'e "*iliCe "re deter inedly and "re 8ig"r"usly t+an e8er*e("re "ur natural and +u an res"ur/es and de)l"y t+e in in agri/ulture, *ut in (a/t t+atagri/ulture *e/" es t+e *asis and t+e /entre "( "ur entire e/"n" i/ de8el") ent& By t+is'e ean0

$> Sin/e t+e 8ast a7"rity "( "ur )e")le li8e in t+e rural areas and are engaged in (""d and"t+er agri/ultural )r"du/ti"n, industrialiCati"n and t+e /+ara/ter "( i )"rts ust ser8e t+e

ass "( t+e )easantry& In "t+er '"rds, "ur industrial )r"du/ti"n and i )"rts ust *e ("r

)")ular rat+er t+an lu3ury /"nsu )ti"n0 t+e i )"rting "( /ars, tele8isi"n sets, /ar)ets andrugs, (urniture, et/&, ust gi8e 'ay t" t+e l"/al )r"du/ti"n "( )l"ug+ing, )lanting, +ar8esting,)r"/essing and st"rage a/+ines ("r agri/ulture )r"du/ts, *uilding aterials, t+ede8el") ent "( /urati8e and )re8enti8e edi/ine t+e *uilding "( "dern air)"rts and sea)"rts ust gi8e 'ay t" t+e *uilding "( +"s)itals, +ealt+ /entres, r"ads, s/+""ls, andre/reati"nal /entres& And s" "n&

-> 1+e '+"lesale e3)"rt "( )etr"leu )r"du/ts, '+i/+ is n"' t+e *asis "( "ur entiree/"n" i/ de8el") ent, ust /ease t" ta:e )la/e& !rude "il ust n"' *e )ut t" a3i uuse internally0 )etr"2/+e i/al industries )r"du/ing (ertiliCers and "t+er synt+eti/ aterials/an *e de8el")ed "n a ass s/ale& 1+ese industries ust t+en ser8e agri/ultural)r"du/ti"n& A se8ere /urtail ent "l "il e3)"rts, "( /"urse, i )lies an e ually se8ere/urtail ent "( i )"rts, '+i/+ ust n"' *e restri/ted t" g""ds ("r essential and )")ular/"nsu )ti"n&

It is "( /"urse /lear t+at t+e *"urge"isie '+" "ut+ t+e sl"gan "( sel(2relian/e in (""d)r"du/ti"n 'ill ne8er a//e)t any "( t+e a*"8e )re2/"nditi"ns Ig"r t+is sel(2relian/e, n"r itsi )li/ati"ns& 6"r instan/e, in t+e $% 2 % (inan/ial year, "ut "( a !a)ital E3)enditure "(5,-99 illi"n and Re/urrent e3)enditure "( N -, 99 illi"n, agri/ulture 'as all"/ated a

isera*le N F illi"n and N -9 illi"n res)e/ti8ely& Si ilarly in t+e ("ll"'ing (inan/ial year,It "( a t"tal !a)ital E3)enditure "( N


37/115

year de(en/e 'as all"/ated N ("r /a)italistindustries in t+e etr")"litan /"untries& It als" eans t+at it '"uld n" l"nger *e a ar:et ("rlu3ury g""ds i )"rted (r" N"rt+ A eri/a, Western Eur")e and a)an& =1+is duali )li/ati"n '"uld, "( /"urse, i ediately destr"y t+e ain s"ur/e "( *"urge"isa//u ulati"n in Nigeria, n"t t" tal: "( dealing a *l"' t" t+e entire /ulture "( /"nsu )ti"n&>1+e "il industry '"uld *e e3)anded and di8ersi(ied and t+e )resent irrati"nality "( t+e

ainstay "( t+e e/"n" y e )l"ying less t+an 9&9- "( t+e la*"ur ("r/e ended& =1+e "ilindustry e )l"ys a*"ut $%

1+ere is a (a iliar de*ate /"n/erning t+e /"ntri*uti"n '+i/+ /"untries "( t+e 1+irdW"rld a:e t" t+e 'ealt+ "( t+e ad8an/ed /a)italist /"untries, and in )arti/ular, t" t+estandard "( li8ing ="r 8alue "( la*"ur> "( '"r:ers in t+"se /"untries& 1+ere is als" t+e )arallelde*ate as t" t+e )"ssi*le /"nse uen/es "n t+e ad8an/ed /a)italist /"untries "( s"/ialistre8"luti"ns in 1+ird W"rld /"untries&

S" e 'riters assert, ("r instan/e, t+at 4'"r:ers in ad8an/ed /a)italist /"untries area*le t" raise t+e 8alue "( t+eir la*"ur )"'er in t+eir "'n /"untry "re easily, *e/ausesur)lus 8alue is trans(erred (r" underde8el")ed /"untries t" de8el")ed /"untries 8iaune ual e3/+ange4& -9 But "t+ers aintain, t+at i )"rts (r" 1+ird W"rld /"untries /"ntri*utes" little t" t+e gr"ss nati"nal )r"du/t "( t+e ad8an/ed /a)italist /"untries = i )"rts (r" t+e1+ird W"rld )resently re)resent n" "re t+an -&F "( t+e industrialiCed /a)italist '"rld4sGNP4>-$ t+at t+e l"ss "( su/+ i )"rts '"uld n"t radi/ally alter standards "( li8ing in ad8an/ed/a)italist /"untries& 1+e latter argu ent /"n/ludes0

It is t+ere("re uns/ienti(i/ t" assert t+at t+e A eri/an '"r:ing /lass is a dire/t*ene(i/iary "( i )erialist e3)l"itati"n it is rat+er t+e t""l t+at a:es )"ssi*lei )erialist d" inati"n0 it ("rges t+e /+ains "( t+e 1+ird W"rld at t+e sa e ti e as its"'n& 1+e )r"(its a//ruing t" A eri/an /"r)"rati"ns (r" t+eir +uge in8est ents in("reign industries ='+i/+ *y $%


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ter inati"n "( ne"/"l"nial status eans t" t+e 1+ird W"rld& We are n"t /"n/erned 'it+ t+einterests "( t+e i )erialists&

1+e /essati"n "r se8ere /urtail ent "( "il e3)"rts (r" Nigeria ay "r ay n"t eana l"t t" A eri/a and Eur")e =sin/e t+ey /an easily (ind su*stitutes>, *ut it de(initely eans al"t t" Nigeria sin/e, as 'e +a8e n"ted a*"8e, t+is is a /"nditi"n ("r sel(2reliant e/"n" i/de8el") ent& Si ilarly, t+e diss"luti"n "( t+e Nigerian lu3ury i )"rt ar:et ay ean little"r n"t+ing t" A eri/an and Eur")ean /a)italists *ut it de(initely eans a l"t t" Nigeria&

We are e ually uni )ressed *y t+e argu ent t+at t+e ain s"ur/e "( /a)italistnati"ns4 'ealt+ and )"'er is t+eir )"'er(ul industrial *ase, a*undan/e "( s:illed anual andintelle/tual la*"ur, t+e +ig+ le8el "( )r"du/ti8ity and a//" )anying +ig+ rate "( e3)l"itati"n "( t+e d" esti/ la*"ur ("r/eJ -F i( t+e i )li/ati"n is t+at 'e s+"uld (irst ai at /reating t+ese/"nditi"ns& It is an illusi"n t" t+in: t+at Nigeria "r any "t+er )eri)+eral /a)italist /"untry ("r t+at atter /an de8el") a str"ng, aut"n" "us and sel(2reliant /a)italist e/"n" y al"ngt+e lines "( t+e /entral /a)italist /"untries& 1+e (a/t "( NigeriaJs integrati"n int" t+e '"rlde/"n" y '+ere it )er("r s a s)e/i(i/, *ut de)endent r"le +as *l"/:ed t+is )"ssi*ility& - Inany /ase, 'e re7e/t t+e entire )r"*le ati/ "( /a)italist de8el") ent&

Co!cl sio!: Neocolo!i0lis 0!, the 4 0lit2 of Life

In /"ntrast 'it+, and as a )"lar "))"site t", t+e /"re /a)italist /"untries "( N"rt+

A eri/a, Western Eur")e and a)an, Nigeria is an underde8el")ed /a)italist /"untry ane"/"l"nial /"untry& But t+e /"untry4s underde8el") ent is n"t /"n(ined t" t+e e/"n" i

Problems of Socialism - 1982 - Eddie Madunagu

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