I was about 14 years old when then Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his ilk launched a coup in December 1983 against the government of President Shehu Shagari; so, I have a good idea of what happened under his oppressive military regime. The government of Shagari was seen as corrupt and ineffective. When Buhari and his deputy, Brig. Tunde Idiagbon, came to power via a military coup, they told us they wanted to correct the anomalies. Nigerians were happy!
But it did not take long for things to go awry. Within a few months, the economy was tanking with Nigeria’s currency being devalued, a very high rate of inflation and the ridiculous policy of fixing the prices of goods – which led to massive hoarding. Things were so bad you could not get grocery and foodstuff to buy – the suppliers decided to hoard these rather than sell at the ridiculously lower prices set by Buhari’s government. High interest rates meant many businesses could not import the much needed raw materials into the country – many businesses closed down during this period – leading to massive unemployment and suffering.
In Buhari’s 1983, there was an unnecessary division along ethnic lines too – because of his insistence on jailing many southern politicians and ignoring northern politicians who were equally guilty of corruption.
Buhari’s 1983 government was characterised by incessant arrests and detention of his political enemies. His friend, Mohammed Lawal Rafindadi, was the head of the National Security Organisation. Many people disappeared into the dungeons of the NSO for daring to oppose Buhari’s government. Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, journalists with The Guardian newspaper, were two notable victims of Buhari’s repressive regime who incurred his wrath because they published articles Buhari did not like. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the opposition, was put under house arrest – goodness knows for what reason!
Buhari’s 1983’s War Against Indiscipline which should have been a rallying call to national service for all was turned into a war against the people. Soldiers were beating people on the streets for not tucking in their shirts, not crossing the roads properly or not using the overhead bridges. Headteachers were disgraced in front of their pupils for not doing one thing or another. Discipline was achieved through the use of force, fear and intimidation.
Bear in mind that Buhari and Idiagbon only ruled Nigeria then from December 1983 to August 1985 – less than two years. In that period, they had so bastardised the country, oppressed and demonised people that when Gen Ibrahim Babangida struck in 1985, there were dances on the streets. People were generally very happy – and no one complained, protested or demonstrated when Buhari too was arrested and placed under house arrest for years afterwards.
Buhari became an elected President in May 2015 pretty much for the same reason he became a head of state in 1983. He rode under the wave of discontent permeating the country with promises to “fight” corruption.
Deja Vu. Fast forward to December 2015. What is different?
The wrong economic policies – much like the ones he employed in 1983 have led to the economy tanking again! High interest and inflation rates have led to an increase in the prices of goods and services. Companies cannot import products and raw materials due to the negative foreign exchange policies that have restricted access to dollars which is the main unit of exchange for international trade. Companies are closing down leading to retrenchments and massive unemployment.
Buhari’s 2015 Nigeria is also divided along ethnic lines as it was in 1983. The President, on a trip to the United States recently, deliberately stoked the fire of ethnic division in Nigeria when he said his priority was to cater for the people who voted for him – the so-called 95 per cent. Bear in mind that most of his votes came from the North of Nigeria – where he originates. Buhari’s talk has provided ammunition for racists and tribalists to attack and intimidate others, leading to a rise in the number of groups clamouring for secession and generally creating an atmosphere of racial division, ethnic hatred and animosity across the country.
In Buhari’s 2015, people are not queuing up to buy foods like in 1983. They are queuing up to buy fuel being hoarded by petrol marketers due to his government’s refusal or inability or unwillingness to pay them for the fuel already supplied.
In Buhari’s 2015, political opponents are being intimidated, attacked and arrested under the guise of fighting corruption. Buhari’s friend and tool at the Department of State Services – DSS (formerly the NSA) this time around is Lawal Daura – different person from Lawal Rafindadi but the same modus operandi.
In Buhari’s 2015, the constitution has not been suspended and there are no military tribunals. However, court orders are being disobeyed. Close to 90 per cent of all election appeals are in favour of his party’s candidates and against the opposition candidates.
In Buhari’s 2015, people are being accused and judged of stealing money on the pages of newspapers – with little or no evidence, no court actions, no convictions. This time round, the media and social media have become the new military tribunals judging people with little or no evidence and convicting people by public shaming, humiliation and sentencing.
Buhari’s 2015 is Buhari’s 1983 all over again. Deja vu.
PUNCH
END
Crap but this is what you get when we have no history books.