The sustained mass revolt in Egypt, that eventually led to the resignation of Hosni Mubarak as President indeed caught the world’s attention while it lasted.
Taking a cue from Tunisia, the Egyptian revolt started albeit jokingly until it gained enough momentum to force out the ancient regime that had been in power for 30 years. One of the major fall outs of the Egyptian crises has been the latent insinuations in different parts of the world particularly Nigeria, on how an exact replica of the Egyptian situation could be staged in their climes. It has been intriguing listening to people in Nigeria serving notice to the status quo that a replica of the mass revolt in Egypt looks imminent in Nigeria.
Indeed the sight of young boys and people praying and protesting in front of Armored Personnel Carriers [APC] and defying the government of the day in the presence of tons of military hardware and artillery remains inspiring. But the Nigerian situation looks tragically different from the Egyptian situation.
It is quite easy for those who think the Egyptian mass revolt could take place in Nigeria, but they must be sincere and ready to ask a few questions and provide answers to them. The questions are
- Are Nigerians sufficiently angry with the political and economic situation in the country?
- Are the over 250 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria ready to jettison their multiple loyalties and go after a common enemy?
- Is there an ideology or theoretical framework, available upon which any mass revolt is going to be built?
- Is there a concrete post-mass revolt program available which can fill the void created by a mass revolt?
- Are Nigerians ready to ignore the latter day spiritual mendicants that traverse the entire landscape in the country preaching the gospel of prosperity and confusing the populace that their misery is a result of the activities of the “devil” rather than the misrule of their rulers?
An honest answer to these posers could best gauge whether Nigeria is ready for a mass revolt.
I personally do not think the situation in nigeria demands a mass revolt. It’s not perhaps but at least the presidency changes hands, we don’t one person in power for 30 years, do we? Some reforms are needed but a revolution as happening in egypt and algeria is unneccessary at this time
excellent peice. very thought provoking. And one thing I want to say say is whether any nigerian is ready to die for his or her country as is happening in the Arab world. I doubt.