POLITICAL STABILITY:AN IMPERATIVE FOR NIGERIA Nigeria continues to descend into anarchy. The killing of a British and Italian hostages in Sokoto state took this descend into abyss to another stage. The west has finally taken notice that north Nigeria has become a cesspit of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. Sadly, it would appear that my worst fears for Nigeria may after all come to pass and those whose belief that Nigeria is unviable provided them with the excuse to do nothing to save her, would see their indifference and cold complicity as wisdom. Even at this very dark hour of Nigerian history, I find reasons to be optimistic about Nigeria and believe that Nigeria may survive but possibly not in the form it was when Jonathan took power. If the present government can be persuaded to do the reasonable and right thing, a new Nigeria may arise out of the ashes of Boko Haram terrorist, murdered innocent Christians, Igbos, youth coopers of all ethnic groups, reprisal killings of innocent northerners in the south, burnt churches and mosques and institutionalised corruption of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. A new Nigeria built on justice as fairness, equality, rule of law, and liberty may emerge. A Nigeria that would have learnt the lessons of corruption, impunity, religious and ethnic intolerance and prejudice and ready to build a free society: where men and women would be free to pursue liberty. It is for this new Nigeria that this article is dedicated. Whether the present problem makes the realisation of the Nigerian dream more herculean or impossible depends on what every well-meaning Nigerians who are watching this descent into anarchy does or refuses to do. It is not enough to talk, issue condemnation, plan for the demise of Nigeria in clandestine ethnic enclaves, or protest with burning tyres on the streets; what is required is commitment to a better alternative in a one truly federal Nigeria or a new arrangement with greater autonomy to those who seek it. We must find the determination to bring about the change we need and demonstrate it by getting involved in the search for solutions. These are the only things that can prevent the inevitable consequences of the way Nigeria has conducted its affairs since independence. No amount of fasting and praying, and mass religious hysteria after a long period of sleep deprivation would prevent Nigeria from becoming the latest example of misguided and failed state, if we ordinary Nigerians refuse to reclaim our country from the cartel that have brought her to its knees. With due respect, without attempting to distract from whatever good contributions they may have made in the development of Nigeria, and with equal conviction that they should be held accountable for their stewardship, it is time for the Babangidas, David Marks, Danjumas, Obasanjos, Ciromas, Buharis, Sarakis, Orjis, Ubas, Atikus, Tinubus, all those who have been implicated in the “thievery” that has gone in Nigeria for the last 50 years, to step aside for a new vision. It is time for the many honest and ordinary Nigerians who have been sidelined for too long to take over and try to rebuild the Nigeria we deserve. We can no longer continue to watch Nigeria ripped apart by a misguided rich, corrupt adamant and powerful and self-serving few. The wind of change has come to Nigeria and we must now bring out our sail. The strength and resources of those who we must oppose to make Nigeria better are formidable, but our determination, discipline and the rightness of our course will ensure that we prevail. History tells us that the people have always over thrown tyranny, no matter how strong and formidable when they are united and fighting for liberty, equality, tolerance and justice for all, and honest Nigerians will prevail. We do not need to fight with bombs, AK 47, IEDS or car bombs but with and within the existing imperfect political structure. What Nigeria needs is change for the better, that would build on the existing gains and not a violent revolution that would destroy the gains of past generations. We know that revolution as we have seen it in the Arab spring, do not automatically give rise to democracy, security and a better life. That often, the stress of rebuilding what was destroyed during the revolution makes it impossible to actualize the change the people fought for. We cannot afford to misunderstand wanton destruction of innocent lives and properties as the revolution or the change for the better we need. Nigerians must be aware that every revolution lays the foundation of its success or failure by its nature, what it does and what it is ready to justify at its inception. The storm usually takes a few minutes to destroy what may take years to rebuild. Therefore every well-meaning Nigerian should condemn the recent wanton burning of churches, mosques, and the roasting of innocent and helpless Nigerians (Southerners and Northerners, Christians and Muslims) in burning tyres because of who they are. Why should ordinary Nigerians who have borne the brunt of the rot, be incited to burn alive in a flame, their fellow innocent, law abiding and long suffering brothers and sister. Why should a man or woman die simply because he is Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba Effik Ibibio, Tiv, Christian or Muslim etc.? Which of the innocent victims of this mayhem contributed to the problems of Nigeria? How many of them were paid oil subsides, awarded contracts that were never executed, or misappropriated resources meant for development of power, roads, education and health facilities? Why can’t we see that our behaviour and manner of thinking and what we are prepared to rationalize or do, are the signs of our madness? No nation becomes great by consuming itself in violence and wanton destruction of its infrastructure and the present disorder must stop. The security forces must do all in their power to restore order so that the dialogue and development can start. The Nigeria army must begin to think, act and train as an army fighting a war. Nigerians have to think and understand that this chaos only benefits those who have caused this problem in the first place because it prevents the change we hope for from becoming a reality. The subsidy has been withdrawn. We know those who have been sharing Nigeria oil wealth in the name of subsidy. The government cannot afford to go back if it wants to retain any credibility. It is unfortunate that President Jonathan did not prepare the people adequately for the implementation of the policy and chose the wrong time and circumstance to confront one of the most opaque parts of Nigerian economy. He should now begin to put in place measures to cushion the effect of the removal of subsidy and ensure that the money does not find its way into the usual pockets. The government should consider recapitalising the Nigeria student loan and grants board to enable students pay their university school fees. Otherwise, how does it expect parents who are on #18,000 minimum wage to pay the #250,000 university school fees, This is how university fees are paid for in developed countries. This measure will convince Nigerians that the government is sincere and that whatever money that is saved from the withdrawal of petroleum subsidy will not end up as food bills for the president or security votes for the governors. The journey to the new Nigeria must now start. Nigerians like Noah, must begin to build an ark of freedom and democracy and equality on the dry land of this chaos. We, like Noah who attempted to convince a people who have never seen rain that a boat is the right preparation for what is coming, must attempt to convince Nigerians who have never experienced good government and democracy that it is possible and worth fighting for. It is important to paint the picture of how a vibrant democracy can transform a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria and persuade the people to believe in it. If Nigerians can believe in heaven and paradise, it is possible to convince them that a democracy where their votes count and party member actually elect the leaders of the parties who are accountable to them is possible. Nigeria is just like many other countries and Nigerians are human beings. If democracy can take foot in multi ethnic Britain and America, it can in Nigeria. This idea, that somehow, the good things that work in other countries must express themselves in Nigeria in corrupt forms, is false and self-deception. The good can flourish in Nigeria with the right leadership and the revolution must be about finding the right leadership for Nigeria. No, Nigerians are not different. Nigeria has only had bad leadership which has governed the country very badly and the interest of a corrupt few. What it needs is good leaders who seek power to make the country better and not to become the richest people in the world. This is time to begin the search for the leaders who will clean the Aegean stable of Nigerian politics, leaders whose credentials are their character, vision and passion for change. It is not a time for ethnic champions who masquerade as national leaders, buy leaders who understands that what is good for the south is also good for the north, east and west. A leader who will treat all parts of Nigeria fairly and uphold the constitution and respect the rule of law. The change Nigeria requires Elimination of Political Corruption: Government should make the EFCC a specialised arm of the police force dedicated to political corruption, corporate crimes and organised crimes. Send a significant number of the staff on training. It should be well funded and made independent of political control. The greatest problem with the EFCC as it is presently run is the control which the president has over its operation. The president has no business in a democracy telling the police who to arrest, investigate or release. The president must set the police free to discharge their constitutional duties without interference if indeed we are serious about growing democracy in Nigeria. As an agency the head of EFCC should be appointed for a fixed time after a competitive interview. The government should create the conducive environment and give them a free hand to fight crime by abolishing the criminal immunity from prosecution which politicians currently enjoy as provided for in Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is one reason why corruption is endemic in Nigeria. Nigeria should adopt open government with transparency in government tractions. Government cannot claim to be fighting corruption when it refuses to make the reform the criminal justice needs by way of separating the role of Attorney General from that of Minister for Justice. This is the most important reform needed to shake up the criminal justice system. Depoliticise the Civil service: Nigeria needs to restore the post of the permanent secretary and depoliticise the civil service appointments and restore the civil service as organ of the state and not a tool in the hand of the party in power. Instead of appointing people to positions because of where they come from in the name of federal character or zoning, each zone should be asked to produce the best person they have for the post allocated to them and progression should depend on ability and performance no on the years of service. If this method was used, some of the incompetent and moronic people who have occupied some of our very important offices would not have smelt them. Who knows, may be Nigeria would not have been in the position it is in today. AFUYE Akinyemi,Diploma-In-Law,AIIN,Cert. In Intellectual Property, LLB{in view} is a Chartered Insurer. He served in the underwriting department of Summit Insurance, Victoria Island Lagos. He also had his summer interne at AFE Babalola SAN & Co Mokola Ibadan. His interest is in Law, insurance, religion, philosophy and politics. He cares for body and mind.