By Simeon Nwakaudu
There is an ugly trend that has gained ground amongst the opposition and some self-righteous civil society practitioners. This trend portends ill-wind for the country and there is the urgent need for members of the Nigerian society to quickly address this regrettable trend.
Without mincing words, it is the quest of the opposition and their civil society links to undo Nigeria from within and rubbish the image of the nation. These opposition elements and their civil society links at every turn take sides with foreign governments and nations in diplomatic conflicts, insisting every step of the way that Nigeria should lose such engagements.
The instances of such negative actions against Nigeria and her interests abound, but for this piece, we shall focus on the unfortunate issue of the South African government mischievously seizing the funds meant for arms purchase to prosecute the war against Boko Haram and other criminal elements.
It must be said with all sense of responsibility that the action of the South African government is condemnable and must be condemned by all well meaning Nigerian citizens irrespective of political affiliation. I have said this in the past and at the risk of repeating myself I will say it again. What the South African government did hiding under the cover of government agencies is un-African and a deliberate attempt to frustrate the fight against terrorism.
While the diplomatic row lasted, some important Nigerian opposition leaders and their civil society friends publicly took sides with South Africa. They saw nothing wrong in the actions of the South African government and readily at every forum cast aspersions on the government of the Federal Republic.
Anyone who attempted to call their attention to the very unfortunate actions they took was mobbed by their media associates writing pro-South African columns and hosting pro-South African programmes on popular opposition television stations. They hounded all persons with pro-Nigerian views on the matter and made it look like a crime to support Nigeria in the international dispute.
After it became clear to the Nigerian government that the South Africans were up to some form of international unfavorable game, the government bared its fangs. In diplomatic circles this was necessary to protect the integrity and national pride of Nigeria.
This did not go down well with the opposition and their civil society friends. A notable civil rights lawyer took up the fight on behalf of South Africa, threatening fire against Nigeria for attempting to defend her bruised pride. This lawyer made all manner of funny excuses on behalf of South Africa, claiming that Nigeria has no honour internationally because of the arms purchase that was deliberately truncated by South Africa.
The South African government after weighing all options in the diplomatic row decided to do the right thing -capitulate. According to the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Myakayaka Manzini: “Both countries have decided on a political solution to the issue. Nigeria is a big ally and a brother.” The High Commissioner assured that South Africa will return the money seized.
I wonder why the only way a civil society practitioner gets relevance in Nigeria is to undermine the government and embarrass the people. Is it not possible for civil society practitioners to seek more credible alternatives to their business than taking sides with foreign governments and interests whenever there is a dispute?
Why is the ‘popularity’ of a civil society practitioner dependent on how many vicious ínsults’ he/she heaps on the Government of the day? Who funds these vicious ‘attackers’ of government who have no regard for national interest no matter the circumstances? These pertinent questions must be answered by the high-powered civil society practitioners going forward.
We know that it is right to ensure that the government is accountable every step of the way. However, there must be standard rules of engagement in any endeavour. There must be respect for national interest and the government legally elected by the people.
If Nigeria is having a diplomatic confrontation with South Africa all Nigerians, irrespective of their calling or profession are bound to support the government of the day. It is regrettable that some of our people hide under the toga of civil society or opposition to fight the nation from within. What these opposition members and their civil society friends do is tantamount to ‘match fixing’ in sports.
How would Nigerians feel if the national team goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama connived with the Bafana Bafana to ensure that the Super Eagles are defeated in a football match? As strange as the analogy sounds, that is what these civil society practitioners who side with South Africa are doing. Pretending to know the law inside-out, they cite reasons why Nigerians should be floored and South Africa uplifted. They sound very convincing why the nation should lose her money and respect to South Africa and insist that no matter the circumstance, Nigerian government can never be right.
Though this form of negative anti-national interest advocacy serves their parochial interest, they must realise that they will ultimately partake in the negative image that they cultivate for Nigeria from within.
President Jonathan has once again shown that the gentle strides of a Tiger must not be mistaken for weakness. This is the second time South Africa is engaging in this unwholesome diplomatic game. On both occasions, they have woefully failed. South Africa must realise that though there is a battle of supremacy going on between Nigeria and them, some lines of decency must be maintained.
Needless to say that the South African government has thoroughly embarrassed Nigeria before backsliding, The Federal Government must take pragmatic steps to ensure that such planned embarrassment never happens again. The Federal Government must always take into account the fact that certain key leaders in South Africa have highly placed friends in Nigeria who are willing at every opportunity to rub Nigeria in the mud.
These internally placed fighters have made it very difficult for Nigeria to fight diplomatic or terror wars. It is a pathetic situation and the Jonathan administration must always keep an eye on these elements fighting Nigeria from within.
