BY CHRIS GYANG
Once again, President Tinubu has displayed that ‘Lagos mentality’ for which other Nigerians have continued to berate Lagos leaders and citizens generally.
It is an inordinate penchant to perceive the entire universe, most especially other parts of Nigeria outside south western Nigeria, from the myopic prisms of their socio-economic and political milieu and experiences.
For them, anything that comes out of any other part of Nigeria, no matter how grand or spectacular, can never equal that which emanates from Lagos.
In short, the world inexorably begins and ends in Lagos or, when they must be magnanimous to their own kith and kin, the south western part of this country.
On June 12, 2024, the president delivered a national broadcast commemorating Democracy Day in which he honoured the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists who fought for the restoration of Chief Moshood Abiola’s annulled June 12, 1993, mandate.
However, Mr. Tinubu’s speech conspicuously omitted the contributions of key figures from other regions outside the South West. This glaring oversight perpetuates a biased narrative, diminishing the roles played by Nigerians from other parts of the country in that and other struggles for democracy in Nigeria.
For instance, the Middle Belt region, comprising states like Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, and the southern parts of Kaduna State, among others, was also a hotbed of resistance against military rule and a crucial hub for pro-democracy activism both before and after the years following the annulment.
Several notable figures from this region played pivotal roles in the June 12 struggle, yet they were deliberately overlooked by the president.
For instance, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, the first civilian governor of Plateau State, and the first National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contributed significantly to the June 12 struggle. Lar’s political acumen and vision were essential in mobilizing support from the Middle Belt and other regions, helping to build a broad-based coalition that transcended ethnic and regional lines.
Lar was subjected to severe punishment, including imprisonment and harassment, by the military government for insisting that the military must go back to the barracks where they rightly belong.
The history of democracy in Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning the name of this great politician, fondly known as ‘The Emancipator’ all over the country for his masses-oriented/grassroots politics which won him so much admiration among ordinary folk.
There was also Air Commodore Jonah Jang (rtd.), another Plateau State indigene, who had meritoriously served as military governor in the old Gongola and Benue states. He also figured prominently in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) – a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats formed on 15 May, 1994, with the aim of making the General Sani Abacha military junta hand over to Chief Abiola.
As a former military officer, Jang brought a unique perspective to the struggle, leveraging his military background to mobilize support and resources for the cause. He was imprisoned for several months by the military government for his activism, but his resolve remained unwavering.
He later served for two terms as Plateau State governor where his stellar performance stands out up till today.
These and many other patriotic citizens from other parts of the country outside the South West had staked their lives for democracy in the country. It was Lar that initiated the G17 of northern leaders who wrote a letter to the dreaded dictator, Abacha, warning him about the consequences of holding on to power and personally delivered it to him.
Retired Air Commodore Jang, who was a member of this group, was among the personalities that accompanied Baba Lar on that dangerous mission to Aso Rock.
This G17 would thereafter join forces with another G17, made up chiefly of politicians from the southern part of the country, to form the much larger, national, G34, initially led by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s Vice President in the Third Republic. This group metamorphosed into the PDP, with Chief Solomon Lar as it first national chairman.
President Tinubu’s bias did not only stop at omitting the names of these valiant Nigerians. He likewise poured encomiums on selected newspapers from the Lagos/Ibadan and stopped short of mentioning others from, say, the Middle Belt who also used their media to oppose the military regimes.
Lagos-centric as he is, there is no doubt that Mr. President must have heard the name of THE NIGERIA STANDARD newspaper. This Jos, Plateau State-based newspaper was founded in 1972 by the forward-looking Governor Joseph Dechi Gomwalk, of blessed memory.
Following the annulment of the elections, this newspaper carried a strong-worded front-page comment on June 21, 1993, titled, THIS IS OUR STAND.
The editorial urged the military government to resume the announcement of the results and cautioned that doing otherwise would not auger well for the peace and security of the country.
The state government at the time was not pleased with the newspaper’s stand and directed the editors to recant by publishing a counter titled, THE NEED FOR CAUTION.
Resolute, the editors withstood their ground. But the state government went ahead and published it. Six members of the Editorial Board reacted by taking the most principled option left for them – they resigned.
They were Emma Gogwim, Cyril Oga, Gideon Mitu, Harris Dawurang, Wilson Yale and Usman Abu. Later, Danjuma Abah, a proof reader, joined in solidarity with them.
And although a large chunk of the northern media fully backed the Bagangida and Abacha dictatorships, mainly for sectional and religious reasons, there were still a few, such as THE NIGERIA STANDARD, which stood their ground in the pursuit of professional and democratic ideals.
In fact, it could be said that it was relatively more difficult for these journalists to effectively practice their trade in the north, were the military had most of their supporters, than their counterparts in the South West, where the opposition was more firmly rooted.
Yet they braved the odds by sacrificing their jobs and livelihoods. Till this day, some of them have not recovered from the trauma.
By deliberately delisting other key political and media personalities who featured prominently in the struggle for the enthronement of the present dispensation, the president was once again perpetuating yet another toxic tradition that has become all too familiar today in Nigeria’s political landscape: the dominance of Lagos State and the South West in political appointments.
Since assuming office, President Tinubu has been accused of favouring individuals from his native Lagos State and the South West with political appointments, to the detriment of Nigerians from other regions.
This nepotistic approach has created a perception that individuals from other parts of the country are incompetent or less deserving of political appointments because of their tribes and origins.
By ignoring the contributions of heroes from other regions, President Tinubu’s speech reinforced a harmful narrative that has been used to justify the marginalization of certain regions, especially Nigeria’s minorities, in political appointments.
It is worthy of note that, since former Governor Lalong relinquished his position to go to the Senate, Plateau State has had no minister in the federal cabinet.
That June 12 speech was a missed opportunity to promote national unity and recognize the contributions of all Nigerians who fought for democracy.
President Tinubu should recognize the contributions of all Nigerians who fought for democracy, regardless of their region or ethnicity.
This ‘Lagos mentality’ must cease forthwith. Only then can we build a truly united and prosperous country.
Chris Gyang is the General Manager, Plateau Publishing Company, Jos.