Ours is a country where institutions operate in secrecy, and a lack of transparency surely adds an enigma to processes that should otherwise be straightforward. It is, therefore, unlikely that we will ever know the whole truth of this coup matter, especially from official sources.
By ABIMBOLA ADELAKUN
The Defence Headquarters officially disproved the story of a planned coup in Nigeria, but that has not made it any less believable. The cancellation of Independence Day activities to opt for a “low-key” celebration, which excuses the President from appearing in public, suggests that the media reports might be on to something. Refuting the report, the Defence Headquarters issued a statement describing the media reports as “false and misleading”. They noted that the arrest of 16 officers had nothing to do with a coup but was instead “a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks”. They have promised to release the report of their panel’s investigation, but whatever it says will likely be an anti-climax.
Even if the arrested officers were sentenced or dismissed for planning a coup, the official report is unlikely to state the actual reason. Ours is a country where institutions operate in secrecy, and a lack of transparency surely adds an enigma to processes that should otherwise be straightforward. It is, therefore, unlikely that we will ever know the whole truth of this coup matter, especially from official sources. What we will have to work with will be the snippets of news that seep out from the grasp of official information keepers. In any case, they have good reasons to hide the truth if a coup was truly planned. To admit that some people were planning a coup but failed is to inspire others who will be more discreet in their efforts and might go further. Also, acknowledging that some officers attempted a coup would be highly imprudent of the present government. It would mean admitting that all is not well in the house of the commander-in-chief, and he does not have a grip on the military as one would expect. With all the coups taking place in Africa (Madagascar being the most recent), the Presidency cannot afford to show vulnerability.
Yet, the development made me wonder: if a coup were to happen in Nigeria today, what would happen? Who are the people who will go out and confront the soldiers to fight for democracy? Some Nigerians on Twitter can sit behind their screens and tweet the usual cute nostrums about how the worst democratic rule is still preferable to military rule, but if it ever happens that our democratic leaders get ousted by coupists, will they go and fight to defend democracy? I seriously doubt it. How many of us will risk our lives so that the present lopsided arrangement that preponderantly benefits decadent politicians and their scions can be retained? It is not a matter of cowardice; successive Nigerian leaders have not done enough to convince the generation that fought and attained this democracy in 1999 that it will be worth fighting for all over again. The country has given many people little to lose, turning them to cynics rather than believers in the national project. It will likely take another generation to emerge and begin pushing for a return to democracy.
Nobody should need a crystal ball to predict that the spectacle of our morally corrupt leaders being dragged on the streets in their agbada will be greeted with more cheers and applause than horror from the impoverished masses. Rather than anguish, there will be lots of approvals and schadenfreude at the sight of our oppressive leaders finally getting a taste of the same indignity to which they subject the citizenry. Even our leaders themselves will not fight for their mandate; they are not that principled. At the first sign of trouble, they are hopping on their private jets with their families and running to the lush mansions they have prepared for themselves abroad. Even the Yoruba partisans who spend a significant amount of time beating us on the head with why we must support “our brother Tinubu” so that our region can retain power will not risk their lives. If history is anything to go by, they will be the first in Aso Rock genuflecting before the new leaders. They will be closely followed by the National Association of Nigerian Students members.
Yes, the same NANS that used to be a serious organisation for young people to hone their civic skills, but which is now so seriously debased that it is incapable of recognising any ideal, let alone fighting for one. They will not even need any pressure to cave. Substituting one set of decadent leaders for another is second nature for them.