Pastor Tunde Bakare

As Prof. Osundare observed, some of the “neo-restructuralists”, whether of northern or southern extraction, are mere opportunists seeking relevance in a political equation that has dealt them a deficit. The Prof. has already emphasized the need to address the structural challenges from a national, not sectional, perspective. This, I agree with entirely. However, in order to win over the section most averse to the call, I will focus on the seeming northern opposition to the case for restructuring.

Any anti-restructuring position taken by the North would bring to the courts of historical opinion the sincerity of the motives of the perpetrators of the countercoup that led to the death of Adekunle Fajuyi. The elders of the North who, today, are opposed to the call to restructure Nigeria have deviated from the ideals of the founding fathers of Northern Nigeria – the likes of the Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa; leaders of our nation who were forerunners of Fajuyi in the Nigerian hall of martyrdom. Lest we forget, these great Nigerian leaders from the North made it clear in the series of constitutional conferences that heralded Nigeria’s independence that true federalism with regional autonomy was the only condition under which they would exist within a Nigerian nation.

Need we remind those in opposition to restructuring today that one of the main grouses of Nigerians of northern extraction within the army and civil society after the first coup was the abrogation of the federal system by the Aguiyi-Ironsi led government? This, without doubt, was the main reason the northern leaders and the counter-coupists who took the lives of Aguiyi-Ironsi and Fajuyi demanded a reversal of the unification decree and a return to the federal system of government.8 Consequently, to oppose restructuring now, fifty years after, is to confirm the words of Aesop, that “the injury we do and the one we suffer are not weighed in the same scales.”

In case it is not clearly understood by the antagonists of restructuring, whether they be from the North or the South, let me make it clear that the call for restructuring is a demand for true federalism; a demand for federating units that can truly self-administer like the regions in the days of our Founding Fathers; a demand for the prosperity of the constituent parts that make up the whole. It is therefore inconsistent with the interest of the North or the South for the current pseudo-federal structure to persist. If the elders of the North are true elders in this generation, I charge them with the words of the wisest king who ever lived:

Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.

Thirdly, our current leaders must find courage in the heroic deed of Adekunle Fajuyi. They must find the courage to restructure; they must find the courage to reconcile aggrieved sections within the nation; they must find the courage to reintegrate into united nationhood the diverse interest groups in the Nigerian nation. Then, and only then, would we have truly honoured Adekunle Fajuyi and the ideals he died for.

In conclusion, again and again, the Yorubas have lost illustrious sons and daughters to the black hole of the National Question. What shall we say of M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Bola Ige and others? The Yoruba people have continued to be the targets of attacks, killings, rape and kidnappings perpetrated by elements from other parts of the country such as herdsmen from the North and militants from the Niger Delta. The sacrifice of Fajuyi for a united nationhood has been forgotten.

By this, I am reminded of a classic case of the political economy of forgetfulness, the biblical story of David the king of Israel who had a cordial relationship with Nahash the king of Ammon12. After the death of Nahash, his son Hanun became king. David then sent envoys to Hanun the new king to comfort him concerning his father, but the princes of Ammon wrongly advised the new king that the well-wishers sent by David were indeed spies. So, upon the order of King Hanun, the envoys were physically abused; their beards were forcefully shaved and their garments were cut in the middle at their buttocks. The Ammonites then came up in battle against Israel and were destroyed by David’s army. This is what happens when history is forgotten and the narrative is rewritten by subsequent generations to minimize or belittle the contribution of a part to the common good.

Furthermore, I would like to point out a vital lesson in this narrative especially for those wondering about the unfolding events in our country, viz the quality of decisions made by a leader is determined by those surrounding him and the information at his disposal. This, I believe, is one of the reasons we are enjoined to pray for those in authority so that we may live a quiet and peaceable life. I shall offer a simple prayer in this regard at the end.

Meanwhile, Prof. Osundare has upped the ante of the lingering negotiation debate by stating that there is as yet no nation to negotiate. I believe the true Nigerian nation is a spiritual reality on the verge of a breakthrough emergence. That emerging nation must be negotiated, but we must do so not with the intent to disintegrate, but with the intent to find an acceptable framework for coexistence. As the Prof. observed, the 2014 National Conference provides a platform for negotiation that will lead to reconciliation, reintegration and restructuring. Then, and only then, can we lay claim to the appellation, “the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

May the good Lord deliver our people “from the hand of strange children whose mouth speak lying words and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. May our sons be as plants grown up in their youth and our daughters as pillars sculptured in palace style. May our barns be full supplying all kinds of produce. May our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields. 14 May our oxen be well laden. So that there be no breaking in or going out, that there be no outcry in our streets. 15 Happy are the people who are in such a state. Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 144:11-15; NKJV; slightly reworded)

Thank you and God bless you.

Pastor ‘Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer, The Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Nigeria and the Convener, Save Nigeria Group (SNG). He delivered this speech at the 50 Years After Fajuyi Celebration, organized by the Yoruba Think-tank at International Conference Centre, University Of Ibadan, Nigeria on Friday, 29 July 2016