The recent scuffle that the Abacha versus Wole Soyinka generated in our cyber space is another evidence pointing to the artificiality of the country called Nigeria. It further cements the counter-fitness of the one-Nigeria slogan. We have known some regionalists from time immemorial to have never for once publicly condemn any kleptocrat from their region. History is there to judge where Olusegun Obasanjo had his most tense attack during his third term political invention.
We are what we are, and we shall remain so. In as much as I remain an ardent believer in a class structure based on our relationship with the machinery of wealth production, any re-configuration of our country that does not include regional autonomy will fall as the wall of Jericho. In this stance, we have to dilute Marxists' democratic centralism to appeal to the social reality of the Nigeria demography.
To Kongi, you are gaining the dividends of a selective critic. The tantrums being thrown to you by people who cannot match and intend to match your pedestal is always the obtainable scenario for critics who chose to pally with a set among the ruling cabal, against another set. It is always an epoch of intellectual dishonesty. This is where I will forever be missing Gani Fawehinmi.
However, for those of you, the Jonathanians and/or the regional sentimentalists: when our fathers were eating and wining in the comfort of their rooms, it was people like Kongi that put their life on the line to fight for that freedom of press among other inalienable rights that you now enjoy. Even when we know Kongi's occasional overbearing stances could be frustrating, it takes gratifying minds to be selective in the choice of words to be used against his person. If we are to be constrained to choose between Abacha and Soyinka as fathers, many of these pro-Abacha comrades will certainly not choose the terror they are shamelessly defending against our esteemed literary icon. You are what you are, a set of unprincipled critics, suffering from the same illness you are attacking Kongi for.
Lastly, the Jonathanians! Oby; Madam Due Process has suddenly became a new bride for speaking home truths to APC. The same truth that earned her insults and puerile attacks when your celebrated NOI was called to be responsible. That is the psycho-composition of an average Nigerian. We choose heroes and villains based on our present interest. No nation 'blessed' with such amnesiac citizens will move as fast as wished.
Nigeria!!
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