Anenih’s treatise as a caution to restructuring deals

By Ariyo-Dare Atoye

THE spectre of restructuring looms decidedly on our politics ahead of the 2019 general elections. The Western Front appears to have regained momentum over its age-long agitation – “to live under one government of an autonomous region within the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” according to the Family Handbook of Idile Oodua, a pan-Yoruba organisation. While a common front appears to be gradually building up in the zone with the Ibadan Declaration, the atmosphere is generally suspect nationwide.

But regardless of the postures of the antagonists, should the agitation be wholeheartedly pursued and strategically sustained by the West, there is a high tendency that almost all the Presidential hopefuls for 2019 would be forced to reach out to the zone for political deals on restructuring. And this is where the problem may lie – the tricky task of separating pretenders from those who would be faithfully committed to honour deals. This is where the treatise of Chief Tony Anenih on M.K.O. Abiola, in his book My Life and Politics becomes very helpful.

According to one insightful account by the Iyasele of Esanland, which I found quite instructive, he said: “To think that General Abacha would take-over and hand over to Chief M.K.O Abiola the next day, immediately or worst still, adopt measures short of military style  governance was, indeed, puerile and short-sighted.” There is a big sense in this assertion, because the import of it was equally lost on Bourdillon going into the merger deal for  2015.

I also found in the book, what may qualify as a guide before political deals are reached on restructuring with any Presidential candidate. Pa Anenih had noted with profound wisdom and a deep sense of concern: “The posture of Sani Abacha in the history of military coups in Nigeria should have guided those calling for his take-over and given all those wishing for him a foretaste of what would happen.” This is the real big deal – the need to do a thorough background check, probe the antecedents and historical records of those willing to make commitments becomes inevitable.

South-west last won under this dispensation when it negotiated its interest collectively through the intellectual prowess and sagacity of Afenifere in 1998/1999 – when Nigeria conceded the Presidency to South-West. But political wheeler-dealers who emerged after Afenifere was relegated, put their commercial interest ahead of the Yoruba’s collective interest. It is therefore important for the restructuring actors to know that some of such dealers wearing the bridal gown of restructuring are still lurking around, pretending to support this regional cause.

The failure of M.K.O Abiola and Bourdillon in dealing with the well established formidable Northern political establishment have exposed the fact that most top political leaders of South-west have little or no knowledge in dealing with the North, politically. I can almost bet that the Hausa/Fulani North is covertly scheming on how to beat the South to the restructuring clamour, especially now that more groups, including the Middle-belt are buying into it. Guess what, they are more likely to use amenable political wheeler-dealers from the South to truncate this agitation.

Political expediency currently favours the North to produce the President in 2019, but the West and the entire South, are at a vantage position with great opportunity to decide on a Nigerian President of Northern extraction of their choice. As a matter of history, the South could re-enact the 1999 strategy when the North voted General Olusegun Obasanjo to defend its interest, as opposed to Chief Olu Falae – favoured by the West. For restructuring to have a footing, the South must ensure its choice wins. But, it is going to be more than gathering in Ibadan to demand for it.

Although the book by Pa Anenih is almost a year old, I would suggest it as a worthy read for many Yoruba leaders to learn the trappings of national politics ahead of 2019. As a concerned young Yoruba man myself, I have come to realise that if we must remain in Nigeria and play the real politics, we must beat those who are opposed to restructuring to their game. But in doing so, we must read extensively, consult widely and engage our sons and daughters who grew up in the North; went to school in the North and understand the political culture of northern Nigeria.

This knowledge-gap about the Northern establishment was also noticeable in the inability of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to handle the Aso Rock cabal in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari. The VP could also not get the Arewa Youth to reverse the quit notice issued against the Igbos. But the threat was withdrawn without a single meeting convened by Buhari, a few days after he arrived, and surprisingly, some northern leaders Osinbajo had consulted, were in attendance when the announcement was made. This has to do more with understanding the Northern establishment and deep political intrigues.

Pa Anenih is among a few living political leaders from the South, who know the Northern politics very well. He is not a flippant speaker or writer; he is a respected national figure and an elder-statesman whose voice is big and whose experience would remain invaluable in seeking knowledge to understand the antecedents of some Presidential hopefuls. Nevertheless, his book is also a “wise-man diary” in understanding caution before going into political realignments.

Politics is saturated by a-never-ending-game of betrayals, and interestingly, there will never be angels to deal with along the line. However, wisdom, experiences and most especially, lessons from the painful past are profitable to direct and minimise misadventures. Restructuring advocates must never adopt grandstanding as a strategy, it might not work. With just about 15 months to the next Presidential election, this is the time for the clamour to dovetail into intense strategic negotiation and agenda setting. The West must search out a few Southerners who could give a guide.

It is equally important for the West to know the toad it would be kissing ahead of 2019. It must never be the one that would turn into scorpion – the Bourdillon experience.

For instance, the world just discovered that long after her death, Princess Diana had confided in her former butler about Prince Charles in a latest CNN documentary – DIANA: Chasing A Fairytale, that: “I kissed a frog and it turned into a toad.” This intriguing and encapsulating quote is another lesson that must guide the South-west in seeking new alliances, alignments and supporting a President of choice. Restructuring has become inevitable, but we must plant and work for it.

*Atoye is a Pro-Restructuring Advocate, he contributes this piece from Abuja via aristotle001us@yahoo.com

 

 

 

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