In a few hours Nigeria will have the long-awaited President Muhammadu Buhari (GMB). It has been more awaited than the Second Coming of Christ and the expectations have even ascended to the level among Jews for the coming of Christ. Buhari will suffer the same fate as our Master and Savior Jesus Christ. He will be rejected by Nigerians as an impostor.
And this before he completes his first year of service
Mark my words.
Buhari’s success or failure will be based on just one decision he will make. That decision will be: probe Jonathan’s administration or do not probe Jonathan’s administration.
The voice of the majority of Nigerians is clearly probe this administration and GMB ignores this advice at his own risk. It is possible that only a non-person like Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba wants GMB to go against the majority. GMB must choose between listening to the voices of Ojutalayo, SKC Ogbonnia, Afis, Leye Ije, along with millions of others and listening to me. I hope he listens to me and to history. Most of the world’s worst behaviors have come in attempts to exact a pound of flesh from the point closest to the heart. Most of the peace were reached when “cowardice” was chosen over “bravery”
The history when bravery was chosen
- Second World War was fought because the Allied Nations wanted Germany to pay for the cost of World War I. They had the power to impose draconian terms on Germany supposedly defeated and weak. In mere two decades Germany proved that it was not really dead and called the Allied Forces’ bluff. By the end of the war in 1945, millions around the world died giving the world its largest deaths in a single war. Lesson do not ask for a pound of flesh in victory.
- Lesson from J. T. U Aguiyi-Ironsi. Nigeria was corrupt in 1966 (that level of corruption would be welcome in 2015) and Nigerians were angry, very angry over the perceived North’s hegemony. They welcomed JTU and wanted him to teach the North a lesson or two. They wanted a united Civil Service, a united everything and all positions based on merit. Such would bring about a hegemony of the South which had very well educated populace. Above all they wanted the Military Governors to be transferred out of their sates of origin. A southerner would be moved to take charge of the North and would not listen to the emirs. Before it could be implemented, the north struck. JTU paid with his life and the life of his host the gallant Lt. Col Fajuyi and about two million Igbo and a possible 250,000 other Nigerians. Lesson: be careful in victory. The North was not dead.
The history when cowardice was chosen
- Abraham Lincoln (Abe) fought a war to free the salves and to unite the country. It cost the largest number of deaths of Americans by the time he won in 1865 estimated at 750,000 excluding the wounded. But honest Abe refused to prosecute the confederate leaders who had seceded and brought the war to America. America was united and is even now. Lesson be careful after victory.
- Nigeria Civil War. Same as American Civil War. General Gowon refused to punish us Biafrans. He did not rebuild, but he did not punish. Nigeria is still united. Lesson: be careful after victory.
- South Africa. Millions of black South Africans were killed by the worst “man’s inhumanity to man” regime. But when Apartheid Regime failed and blacks took over, they set up The Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) led by the Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu. People confessed. And war was averted. Lesson: be careful in victory.
These are just a few examples of where cowardice was chosen over bravery. Jonathan out of office is not dead. He can still muster sufficient forces to bring harm to Nigeria while out of office. Use you time to unite Nigeria. A probe will surely divide Nigeria when carried out. You received a united Nigeria. You fought and earned you rank “general” on the slogan “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Here is your chance.
What will you hand over to your successor?
One Nigeria or two?
Or three?
The choice is yours
God save Nigeria.
Written by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
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