Obama Owes Nigerians Nothing

Op-ed, West Africa  |  01.09.10   By Kingsley Ewetuya

One of my favourite movies is “The Lion King”, the animated Disney production. In it, Simba lived as an outcast after his evil uncle murdered Simba’s father (King Mufasa) and took the throne that was rightfully his. Simba goes on to live a carefree or “Hakuna Matata” life in the idyllic African savannah until he has a metaphysical encounter with his late father’s ghost.

In a scene which is akin to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, the ghost of King Mufasa exhorts Simba to return and his place as legitimate heir to the throne. When Simba explains his decision to return to his halfwit friends (Timon and Pumba) who urge otherwise, he says something that resonates.

“Besides, this is my kingdom. If I don’t fight for it, who will?” Simba realizes that he is owed and entitled to nothing in life. That despite the unfair cards and the vicissitudes of life, he must rise above them and take what is rightfully his. He is owed nothing.

In light of the attempted Christmas bombing, the decision to put Nigeria on the terrorist watch list alongside countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan and Iraq has caused the Nigerian government to react. Nigerians will now face stricter scrutiny and “enhanced checks” including pat downs.

In the words of Information Minister Dora Akunyili, “It is unfair to include Nigeria on the US list for tighter screening because Nigerians do not have terrorist tendencies. It is unfair to discriminate against over 150 million people because of the behaviour of one person. Abdulmutallab’s behaviour is not reflective of Nigerians and should therefore not be used as a yardstick to judge all Nigerians.”

In addition, this recent decision has met the ire of Nigerians in the United States and all over the world. Online forums are rife with the umbrage of Nigerians. “We’re not terrorists” said one, “This is total bull****” said another.

These are all understandable responses. however, the comment that spurred me to a double take was made by an acquaintance of mine. “How could Obama do this to us?” he inquired.

“He’s throwing Nigerians under the bus. This is simply reactionary and knee jerk. I can’t believe Nigerians now have to go through all this hassle because of Mutallab’s actions.”

My reply was simple and it is the same thing I would say to all who are whining about this decision. OBAMA OWES NIGERIANS NOTHING.

Now before I go on, let me categorically and unequivocally say that Nigerians are not terrorists and overwhelmingly condemn the actions of AbduMutallab.

However, the fact is that President Obama’s decision, however unfair, shows that he’s is paying attention to that which matters most to him:

1. The welfare of his country and
2. His political career.

President Obama has already faced criticism about his muted response to the attempted bombing, especially from the Republican opposition party which accused him of not responding strongly enough.

The American people are anxious about flying considering that this attempted bombing would have been the worst terrorist disaster on American soil since September 11th 2001.

Why are Nigerians then surprised that Obama is catering to his political needs and responding to the fears of his people? Why should he discount those for the sake of Nigeria?

There is a famous saying in politics, “There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests.”

It is in the political interest of President Obama to put Nigeria on the terrorist watch list so that the American people’s fears are allayed and Republicans’ criticism of inaction are put at bay.

What is left to us as Nigerians is for our government to act and rise up to the occasion.

There is a power vacuum in Nigeria today which has created a charley horse in our political system. The disorganized governmental apparatus has been compounded because of the constitutional crisis resulting from President Yaradua’s ailment and refusal to hand over power.

While the phrase “Nigerian national” was repeated time and time again, not one single official has gone on any of the 24 hour networks such as CNN to provide an alternative view or a defense of Nigeria.

Releasing press statements denouncing this decision and saying we are not terrorists are empty rants.

More importantly, what concrete steps has our government taken to combat radicalization in all parts of the country? What about corruption?

Nigeria still ranks high among the most corrupt countries in the world. We have been on that ignoble list for ages without anything being done, but now we want to protest being on the terrorist list. It makes no sense.

The Nigerian Senate issued a seven day ultimatum for the United States to rescind its decision.

Never mind that the National Assembly has not passed any major bills (apart from ratifying the yearly budget the President presents) since 2007 when members were sworn in.

Jesus must have had the Nigerian National Assembly in mind when he said “Physician, heal thyself.”

What credibility does that body have to challenge the United States, even if Nigeria is granted the benefit of the doubt? What prompts this sudden epiphany to act on the Nation’s behalf?

Is it because they will likewise face the pat downs and enhanced security checks during their many unnecessary jaunts abroad to the United States paid for by the national treasur,y while the myriad problems of their constituencies are left unattended?

The Niger-Delta crisis is crippling Nigeria’s oil supply and kidnappings in the region and all over the country are driving out foreign investments.

Add to that armed robbery and lack of basic infrastructure and one can have no doubt why the US government has no confidence in Nigeria and as such is doing with Nigeria as it pleases.

Britain is home to a maze of terrorist cells. Many terrorists such as Richard Reid, Anjam Choudary, and Omar Brooks are British subjects, yet the United Kingdom is not on the terrorist list.

Why, is it because of a so-called “special relationship” between the US and the UK? Nay. It is because at this very moment, there are UK troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq fighting terrorism alongside the US.

Britain’s home office has taken steps to infiltrate and eradicate the terrorist cells therein. Their system of government ,while flawed, is based on the rule of law rather than a flagrant flouting of constitutional principles. People are not murdered for fully engaging in democracy and dissenting with the government.

In other words, its interests align with that of the US. Methinks that Nigeria must do the same.

Our system of government needs an overhaul. Until we inspire confidence in nations such as the US by verifiably attacking corruption, tackling religious fundamentalism, and following the rule of law, we will continue to lose ground.

It is not up to the United States or President Obama to show us any special considerations. Rather, it is for us to clean up our image rather than let Abdul Mutallab or “Yahoo Boys” do the talking for us.

Obama owes us nothing and if we do not fight for our country, who will? After reading this, go rent a DVD of the Lion King and afterwards, let’s work to turn Nigeria around.

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