BY EBUN SESSOU

Comrade Declan Ihekaire is the National Coordinator, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria; National Chairman Coalition of Civil Societies for Good Governance; Member Joint Action Front (JAF); Member United Action for Democracy (UAD); Beko Ransome Kuti Foundation; Gani Fawehinmi Foundation, June 12 Coalition and Civil Societies Mediatory Group.

In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, he laments that the country has failed and the situation in the country has not called for any celebration of any kind but a sober reflection on how the country has failed. Excerpt 

Nigeria will celebrate 52years of independence, what are the achievements?

By calendar, Nigeria is 52, but by achievement, zero. For instance, at 52, electricity, health, housing, employment, road and education are still crawling while Mr. Corruption, deceit, mal-governance are waxing stronger at local, states and federal levels.

This bitter truth is hard to swallow by those plugging this nation into this mess. The fact remains that the country has failed.

How has the country failed?

No doubt, Nigeria has graduated from a failing nation to a failed one. All indices of a failed nation is in Nigeria today not by its own making nor by the actions of the masses but by the wickedness, corrupt tendencies, callous, unrepentant handiwork of the cabals that have held majority of us hostage for their own selfish goals.

Nigeria is so blessed that the wealth of this nation has refused to finish despite the looting of its treasury by these cabals. Corruption is much. Security issues, health sector , education, housing, job creation and electricity are all zero.

What is your opinion on the state of the nation?

My opinion on the state of the nation is so large that I have to narrow it down, that Nigeria is going through a serious phase that has made Nigerian masses to be suffering in the midst of plenty. The manpower is so much, natural resources is also to our advantage but leadership is lacking greatly.

Declan Ihekaire

Those we have now are democratic/civil rulers and not leaders. Federal, states and local levels are occupied by rulers who do not have the interest of the masses at heart but their focus and interest is to better their loot and that of their cronies.

This leadership and its looting syndrome has made Nigeria political landscape attractive as a means to personal ends. Leadership attracts respect but how many of those at the helm of governance today commands respect from the people.

A situation where money meant for hospital is converted to personal use by few is no longer news in this country. Corruption and corrupt few are becoming celebrities. Ours is a country that failed to accept that both the giver and receiver of bribe are culpable . One is being celebrated and the other is being castigated.

It’s a nation where rule of law is preached but not practiced; a nation where National Merit Award is no longer based on merit but on paddy – paddy level; a country where the rulers deceive its citizenry .

It could be very painful to be in penury in the midst of plenty but I am sure real “SURE”, that very soon the masses of this great country will benefit from the goodies of this nation because God will soon give them leaders that will lead them truthfully.

…and electricity?

Recently, Nigerians are beginning to have some likeness of stable power supply and are applauding the government.

They have been made to believe that electricity is not a right but a privilege – what a deceit; steady supply of electricity is my birth right as a citizen so I see no reason to clap because the supply is improving.

Leaders respect the rights of its people but this no cause for celebration because Nigeria has the money to fix electricity, refinery, hospital, housing, education, etc.

Would you say sovereign national conference will solve Nigeria’s problem?

I will not say SNC will solve all Nigeria problems but its convocation will lead to solving lots of our problem. Nigerians need to talk on how to stay together bearing in mind how Nigeria as a nation was conceived, and forcefully amalgamated without considering our differences. This has resulted to agitation for self determination groups to seek autonomy.

On a final note, I see hope for this country very soon. The people should resolve to question those ruling us and those ruling should start thinking more about the people than self. At 52, Nigerian rulers should have a rethink on how to be leaders.

I am a stakeholder in the business of protests in this country to press down the masses demand, I believe Mr. President should be grateful to some of us, that is, it was through protests, agitations that he Goodluck Ebele Jonathan emerged as president after the demise of Yar’Adua.

It was the protest in January 2012 that exposed the fraud in the oil sector, it was protest that sent the wicked N5,000.00 back to the grave, it could be protest by the people that will push those who are at the affairs  at all levels to be focused on delivery of democracy dividends .

In fact, when the people say yes, no ruler can say no, at least ‘the rulers’ came into power through the peoples’ mandate.