By Denrele Animasaun

“Cowardice asks the question ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question ‘Is it politic?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right. -”Martin Luther King, Jr.

They say a day is a long time in politics. So, the last seven weeks in Nigerian politics must be like a lifetime. The longer the girls remain missing, the more incompetent the Nigerian government look to everyone both inside and outside Nigeria.

Despite that, the comical Alis are out in full force spewing out conspiracy theories to down play the current situation in Nigeria. No amount of spin doctoring is going to wish this away. We have a big problem and we have no alternative but to face this impasse head on.

Amongst the theories doing the rounds; the whole BH is a North Islamic plan to grapple power from the present administration. Those other major tribes is discrediting the Jonathan- led government, that it is the APC’s plan to destabilise his administration, that North brought it on themselves because they wanted Sharia law and BH sprang from that assertion.

Within Jonathan’s camp some even went as far as to postulate that the abduction of the school girls was orchestrated by Borno State and the president’s political adversaries in the run up to next year’s election. Another is that there is APC plan to destabilise the Jona’s government, because of course, they don’t want him to “rule”!

When I last checked, Nigeria is still a democracy and I would hope that regardless of what the theorists say we should be able to  judge this administration by its record, have they done what they set out to achieve and has the standard of life for the average Nigerian improved?

If it is yes, to these questions, then I am sure that everyone will feel safe and protected regardless of where Jonathan comes from. We become paranoid and quick to use the tribe/religious divide when things aren’t going our way.

Each of these theories are as tasteless as the next. Trust me you cannot make this up even if you wanted to. It seems while Rome burns, Emperor Nero plays on his fiddle and badly too. We are so preoccupied with such conspiracy theories that we fail to see the pending disaster right in front of us.

The fact that Nigeria is and has been rudderless and without an able captain. These die- hards, are so entrenched in their delusions, that they see enemies wherever they look.

It is sad to admit publicly the facts as it is, one cannot take delight in the fact that most successive Nigerian governments have led Nigerians to rack and ruin to the detriment of majority Nigerians.

Our young are without employment, training or education, the health of our nation is dire now than it has ever been, institutions and establishments are broken, derelict and unmanageable. Our system did not break overnight, no, but it has been long time decline and every successive government have a hand in its demise.

Nigerians are constantly sold a dream that has so far not materialised and yet the coffer is emptied and our commonwealth pillaged right left and centre.
So far it has been smokes and mirrors and that is now beginning to show its cracks for all to see.

So Jonathan did not visit Chibok and he instead flew to Paris at the behest of the French president. In Jonathan speech at the African Security Summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris on May 17, 2014, declared that the BH insurgency as “the new frontier of the global war of terrorism…”

He said that Boko Haram “…is not anymore a challenge to Nigeria alone; it is a threat to each and every one” Nigerian prior to that the government spoke people were banging the drums for all to hear that Boko Haram was marginalized in the far northeast of Nigeria.

So it is transference of the blame of his government incapability to tackle BH. It is an incompetent workman that blames his tools, if you take the job and trappings of the office.

It is apparent that his administration change in tact is due to local and international concerns and outrage at  the abduction of  the school girls and the apparent failure of the  national intelligence  and  services to  locate the young girls over a period of  time .

In his Paris speech he addressed the concerns of human rights organisations and the media of his government’s slothfulness to act. He defended his action he says “…were directed to adhere strictly to clearly spelled out rules of engagement and avoid any excesses that may amount to a violation of human rights. Careful regard for human rights has always been central to our counter-terrorism strategies, resulting in the adoption of rules and procedures to protect the civilian population from excessive collateral damage.”

Well, can someone tell our president that failure to act authoritatively continue to cost many lives, bereaved families and affecting everyday lives on a daily basis. The fact is, his administration has not followed the rules of engagement and there are excessive violations of human rights under his watch.

It is public knowledge that many countries offered help once the news of the abducted schoolgirls was known. The US Embassy in Abuja made the offer almost immediately after the kidnapping.  Yet it took up till May 4, for Goodluck to accept.

The death toll continues to mount and last Sunday, a bomb in the northern Nigerian city of Kano in a predominantly Christian area of the city. Within the week as well, many more lives were lost in Jos when a bomb ripped through the central market.  Speaking about the bombing, the Plateau State Commissioner, Chris Olakpe said “Terrorists usually want to cause fear and trepidation,” and that “By tomorrow, we will get on top of the matter.”

De ja vu. People want to know that they are safe and that the people charged with protecting their lives are doing their jobs and not just giving the same empty rhetoric.

And of course, after the blast the president left me to his people as usual to address the populace.

In this address, it reads that “Jonathan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to take every necessary measure to find the girls and cooperate with other countries in the region to combat the Boko Haram menace.”

And he went on that “President Jonathan assures all Nigerians that government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilization,” the statement said, adding that Nigeria was committed to implementing anti-terrorism measures and resolutions put forth at a recent summit in Paris.

Finally, it reads that “The president also said Nigeria was determined to ensure safety and security in schools in Borno State and other parts of the country and to rebuild the school in Chibok”. I won’t hold my breath as much as always been promised but none ever gets delivered.

The #BringBAckOurGirls, continue to gather momentum with or without our government’s input. Everywhere I go to, I am asked for an update of the missing girls and concern for my fatherland.

I try reply as candidly as possible, but I pray that the girls are found safe and returned to their respective families and communities. Of course, those that have lost loved ones in various insurgencies need our prayers, the communities will be affected for years to come and they will need much more support and rebuilding both emotionally and physically.