The IRAN PROTEST, lessons for Nigeria

I followed the recently concluded elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran at least from the time that the protests started and it got me thinking about my dear country. What really got my attention was the way the opposition staged their protest especially its spontaneity which lends credence to its validity and a true reflection of the aspirations of the people.

My focus in this write up is the lessons that Nigeria can learn from the recent event, I am not superstitious or else I would have said the election being held on the 12^th of June speaks volume to Nigeria but I guess it was just a coincidence, but our June 12 1993 which was adjudged to be the best election held in Nigeria produced in us as a nation something that this same election produced in the Islamic republic – A PROTEST MENTALITY – this we seem to have lost over the years and I believe it is one BIG REASON why our governments continue in their irresponsibility.

We Nigerians are quick to look for the quickest & comfortable alternative every time our governments fail to provide the necessary facilities that make for civilised living – the generator for normal power supply, the rush for the hiked “black market” fuel when marketers choose to make more money in the name of fuel scarcity and many more.

I wonder if we will ever be able to stand up to protest in this country again, stage a well organised and sustained protest such as we had in Iran in the past few weeks that got the attention of the government; such as we had during the “Frank Kokori led strike” that paralysed the nation in reaction to the annulment of the June 12 election in 1993. I sincerely believe that Nigerians were ready to end up like Lady Neda the now icon of the Iran protest. We were ready then to dare armoured tanks like the Chinese student I saw on CNN.

What we have allowed these political charlatans to do to our psyche has encouraged them to continue to subjugate us in our nation, putting the worst the nation can get in the most sensitive positions.

There is really nothing much to expect from a president like Umaru Yar’adua accomplish in a world where the Obamas lead nations; we seem to just have found a way into the Stone Age due to our quest for the easy life of what Fela Anikulapo Kuti will call “Suffering and Smiling”.

It is unbelievable that we still have a situation where University lecturers go on strike for months to press home demands for better conditions of service; I actually see this as a deliberated strategy to deny the nation credible university graduates as that will keep this political opportunists to perpetuate themselves in office and keep the nation in darkness.

We cannot afford to continue to accept this MESS as normal but it is going to require a mentality that shuns comfort and embrace the spirit of sacrifice.

Our leaders (or better still rulers) are riding on our addiction for convinience and love for life; Jesus says that those who love their lives will lose, while those who put theirs on the line for a good cause will find it. This ancient wisdom is still much valid today as when it was written.

We need to get our bearing back and it must start with a general call for the PRESIDENT TO RESIGN as he has no clue as to what it takes to take this country out this economic, social and economic doldrums.

I know you are thinking the same thing