By Bayo Fasunwon

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Robert Nesta Marley would be interceding in his grave, if only the dead could pray. He used his musical talent to insist on the emancipation of the black race from the shackles of colonialism and neocolonialism. The independence of Rhodesia, Namibia and emancipation of South Africans were uppermost in his heart. Despite being a Jamaican, he shared the sentiments of Peter Tosh who insisted that no matter where once comes from, one such is a negro, then that is an African.

His songs about the Buffalo Soldier; Redemption Song, Survival, Natural Mystic, Exodus and Africa Unite were philosophical clarion calls to all black homo sapiens to gather as one and fight for the emancipation of the race. He opined that for the black man to free himself from mental slavery, ‘none but ourselves can free our mind’. The mental construct of the black therefore remains his chains and veil. While the crusades against slavery became effective to the extent that the illicit trade was abolished, and the chains destroyed, yet the Black man remained in chains by his mental captivity that ensured that the emancipated blacks discarded their histories, cultures and traditions and forced themselves to think in foreign language and terms.

The result is what we witness today. So, via neocolonialism, many African nations remained in the stranglehold of the colonial oppressors till this day. Unfortunately, the puppets of the soul snatching mind slave traders, in the likes of oppressive political leaders encouraged the subjection of the locals to the prosperity of the raiders, and the comfort of sit tight oppressive resource looting megalomaniac place dwellers. Could this be the reason for the revolt of assimilated armies? Would Africa heed the call and unite against bourgeoisie of the periphery and scatter their association with the bourgeoisie of the centre? But can Africa unite, when her components are internally defragmented?

The election tribunal recently delivered its judgment affirming the sanctity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory at the polls. While the olive branch was extended to Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar (a courtroom veteran), the duo had insisted that the battle for their ‘mandate’ subsists. However, the interesting part of the news was Atiku’s submission that Nigerians want their stolen mandate retrieved. Nigerians? That was an overgeneralization of absurdities, and benign camouflage of the popularity of man, dented by his former boss and political adultery. Observation shows that Nigerians were not much concerned with this year’s election tribunal in comparison with the previous ones.

However, there seems to be a synergy between the politicians in power and those outside it. The elite theory had suggested that the elites are united and are fixated on possessing power to maximize their gain and minimize their losses. This they pursue with every means and methods available. While they do this with their siphoned funds and undivided attention, they also ensure that the masses over whom they bear rule are disunited, disillusioned and disconnected from the source of power. Having mastered the principles and methods of divide and rule, they keep the masses, (who by their numbers have the power of change) divided so they can continue the pillage of national resources. So, the issues of ethnicity, tribalism, religious fanaticism and other divisive nonsensical thoughts are promoted and announced at roof tops, so that the masses keep dividing as the elites close ranks.

So, by their succession programmes, they line up themselves, and their families to take turns via shoddy democratic means in power. Unfortunately, while they bear rule, they chant the need for more sacrifices, understanding and the need for more endurance on the part of the wealth producing, but poverty-stricken masses. Many and those who demand for change, die in poverty leaving their offspring lamenting ‘how long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand beside and look’?

As we speak, many heads are bowed, shoulders dropped and sighs rent the air. Do we care to note that married women are gladly becoming prostitutes and the educated have lost the pedigree of encouraging their younger ones to study? Now, many seek certificates, and not knowledge as ruling elite have rubbished academic attainments. We may hide under self-imposed motivational quotes and sermons, but the truth is that the ‘street is not smiling’. Looking into the faces of many a Nigerian, the ray of hope is replaced by gloom, and this spells doom for the nation. The pacifier at this time needs pacification and the elite still rub poverty on our faces by flaunting, and pillaging national wealth with impunity. They seem to ask Nigerians, ‘what can you do about it?’

Though unfortunate, it is pertinent to note that unless Nigerians (the suffering masses) realise the antics of their internally generated oppressors, unite and demand for change, the cycle of lamentation would never end. Nigerians are united by poverty, unemployment, insecurity, oppression and gloom. These variables are not tainted by ethnicity, religion or other divisive rhetoric. They are real and killing. It is high time Nigerians unite against these vices. Time should have taught that ruling powers in Nigeria are united in the continual oppression of the poor. Several efforts by Nigerians to keep their heads above water have been wasted by policies and sentiments.

There are certain basic necessities of life that Nigerians should enjoy without tears. When would communities unite against exploitation of the power distributing companies who reap where they do not sow? The challenge with Nigerians is the spirit of competition as against cooperation against oppression. Now that Nigeria seems to have a listening President, the best time to voice out and unite against the shackles of retrogression is now. The dividing crumbs of palliatives would only create more enemies than succour amongst the poor.

It is time to demand for a better Nigeria for Nigerians. It is time for Nigerians to unite, and wean themselves from the milk of leisure, pleasure and avoidable pressures. Educational facilities, health, transport, and social amenities can be better than what we have now, but until Nigerians ask, none can receive. Shall the unity breed fracas and violence? It need not be. A united Nigerian force, with a voice for better life and living, in the face of current happenings in Africa, would be enough to deliver the needed changes. So, Nigerians unite.