FOR GOD AND COUNTRY. by Frank Nweke

A thoughtful and peaceful message from an erudite scholar and former minister of information... Read it below after the cut



My fellow Compatriots,
In this last week leading to Nigeria's historic 2015 elections, the Nigerian people have received 'goodwill messages' from our partners and allies as well as world leaders urging us to 'behave' ourselves during the two-week course of our general elections by ensuring that the elections are transparent and violence-free.
As seemingly well intended as these messages may seem, they are demeaning and humiliating.
It is clear to any discerning mind that THE WORLD IS WORRIED ABOUT NIGERIA, understandably so.
Yet, one cannot pretend that the global attention to Nigeria's 2015 elections is unfounded. Preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been as uninspiring as the unexpected 6 weeks postponement.
Nigerians are also worried about Nigeria, no thanks to the high temperature politicking by the political elite and their associates.
The signs have been ominous.
Rather than debate the myriad issues that have stunted our development and proffer unique solutions, we have trumpeted ethnicity and religion, making little effort to harness the dividends of our diversity.
Nigeria is a country that has become like a wayward child, a source of pain and shame to its parents, a nuisance to society, a bad influence to its peers and embarrassment to its associates, bearing no resemblance in form or character to it's ennobled ancestry.
With a population of over 170 million people, any major crisis in Nigeria will overwhelm our entire sub region and potentially transform into a major destabilizing force in Sub-Saharan Africa. The attendant humanitarian crisis may be unprecedented.
It is disconcerting that we have to be reminded to 'practice' democracy, respect diverse opinions and choices and the sovereign right of the people to choose their leaders. IT IS REGRETTABLE that we need to be reminded to be civil and not incite our people to violence and destruction of lives and property.
All these statements, warnings and threats in some cases by Nigeria's friends are condescending even as they may be deserved.
It makes me feel that we are unable to manage our affairs. It makes me feel like a lower form of life, without faculty and incapable of existence without help, especially of the coercive kind.
May I therefore add my voice of appeal to those of our very many compatriots who have already spoken?
To the political elite, I URGE CIVILITY AND RESTRAINT.
A selfless aspiration to public service in its truest essence is inconsistent with the level of desperation that pervades our polity, today.
Our willingness to sacrifice the lives of our youth and supporters, questions in very fundamental ways our claim to the pursuit of service to our people.
It makes no sense that we are so 'eager' to serve our people that we don't mind killing them or having them killed just so we can 'serve' them! It makes no sense that we are so driven by our aspiration to serve that we don't mind the destruction of the property of the people we aim to serve just so we can serve them while our own families are well protected from danger.
A MANDATE PROCURED AT THE PRICE OF HUMAN BLOOD AND LIVES CAN ONLY BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SERVING OUR SELF.
It is ungodly.
To our people and especially, our youth, I urge you to reflect deeply on your life and the future. The future only belongs to the living. For your sake, that of your family and our country, do not allow yourselves to be used as fodder by political foes. No aspiration is worth your blood.
Nigeria's future will be in jeopardy if you are sacrificed in your 'infancy' or prime to nourish the megalomania of politicians. Nigeria will have no future without you.
Please conduct yourself with dignity throughout the election period.
Go out and cast your vote on the appointed days. Be orderly while you are at it.
AVOID ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND RESIST INCITEMENT TO ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE, NO MATTER THE INDUCEMENT.
These elections will pass and our country will remain but only if we preserve it during this season, for the next and many more elections.
Parents and guardians, please counsel your wards. DISCOURAGE THEM FROM ANY ACTS THAT MAY ENDANGER THEM AND OTHERS AND PUT THEM IN HARM'S WAY.
POLITICAL ACTORS SHOULD BE HUMBLE AS WELL AS MAGNANIMOUS IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT. There will be many more elections.
In the words of the late Justice Mohammed Bello, 'Politicians think about elections while Statesmen think about the future'.
Our country needs statesmen at this time, more than any other time in our history. SHUN VIOLENCE.
I undertake to be ethical and civil throughout the 2015 elections. I undertake not to incite my party supporters to violence.
I call and urge Nigeria's political class to do the same.
May God help our Country