By TONY E. AFEJUKU
In advancing the slogan of “Language, Literature and the decolonization of Nigeria’s political culture,” we are merely saying that we don’t wish any longer to adapt ourselves to the special features of white colonial and post-colonial rule.

One of these special features is the notion and slogan of democracy, which actually is the oppressive rule of the majority, in most cases, a demonically selfish majority that swamp a meritorious minority that are hostilely foot-matted and persecuted.

We need the kind of literature that can draw the right attention to the iniquities of the dominant group that we must fight in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice. The eagle and the tiniest bird must fly to wherever heights they can get to, and perch wherever and whenever it pleases them to do so without the dominant one impeding the smaller one.

We need the kind of literature whose slogan and preoccupancy must be the culture of just democracy in which all in love and in law are equals, regardless of status, ethnical affiliation and one’s worldview and standpoint.

We want the kind of literature that can say so in the correct manner of saying so; in the kind of language that can say so significantly. We want the kind of literature that will compel the landlords of our political destinies to de-colonize their attitudes and minds.

We want the kind of literature that will compel us tenants of exploitation and of discrimination to fight the landlords of our pains and sorrows. And in so fighting, we will create the Nigerian culture of our dream and imagination; a Nigerian culture that will steer us a-right to the shores of a national culture that we can rightly call a national culture on the platform of efficient patriotism and nationalism.

But this performance must end with a quotation from the late poet Ezenwa-Ohaeto’s “A Song for Nigeria (25th Anniversary”):

On a platter of fraud

Intellectual stimulus is suppressed,

It may be difficult to speak

It is impossible to be silent,

For ripples turn into a tide

In a cloud of fear bred by terror.

Nigeria’s political culture of disillusionment must give way for the necessary change that will propel the country and people from the court of disorder and disaster to the Olympian heights of our genuine feelings of re-kindled patriotism and nationalism devoid of colonial and post-colonial influence or coloration. The political class and mis-rulers must change their attitudes to one another and towards Nigeria. This is imperative if we must avoid harbouring “memories livid with pain.”