The issue of power is a serious business to all sphere of human life, organization, religion and governance. It is the reason why most wealthy citizens in the society wishes to obtain any form of powers perhaps by any means, especially political powers.
I usually ask, why must a wealthy being seeks to grab power, whish to be known in the act of controlling governance and otherwise.
For those in politics, power is as crucial as death and essential as water, hence when such personalities could not have what they envisage, to them the entire world is against them.
A wealthy man without power attached to it is like wasted years, in other words it could be said that power without financial wealth is great gain.
Holding on to power especially in politics is the desire of every politician hence their uncomfortable situation when they loose power or complete their statutory tenure in office. Imagine a sitting local government chairman and a former, the results are better explained by followers, outsiders and not the boss himself.
In the military era the word decree is mostly used because it has to do with the use of excessive force and order without questioning or interference.
It is the same as fiat, as the Military head of state gives order at this will, probably when angered or in a dreaded situation that may require such. For example, the invasion of Odi Community in Bayelsa, Niger Delta region.
Whether we call it fiat or decree, it is the Might of a given authority particularly the presidency as required by a country’s constitution.
In a democratic set up decrees are not required to settle crises situation. But the fiat must first be debated in line with the provisions of the constitution which atleast two thirds majority are needed to arrive at a decision.
In Engineering, Oxygen and Acetylene are required to produce the needed heat or force to cut, bend or separate any kind of iron for the specified work it is meant for.
In governance, Fiat, Decree or Might are used in certain tensed circumstances to forstall normalcy. The fiat, decree or might in governance are as strong as the oxygene and acetylene use by the welding engineers to either separate, cut or disjoint all sorts of iron.
This force called oxygene, acetylene; fiat, decree or might lies with the presidency of a country with democratic settings, head of states in a military government or Prime Minister in military government or Prime Minister in a parliamentary system of government, and so on.
Indeed, the force, fiat or might is such that the governed are always afraid of each time a crisis situation arise even when it is not invoked.
Federal Might as it is called which almost bites more than the oxygene and acetylene stuff should not be taken for granted as the incumbent occupant of the Nigerians Aso Rock villa is rated to be weak by few individuals.
Some national leaders in the likes of Rt. General Mohammadu Buhari, Rtd. Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Rtd Gen and ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo Jeremiah were once number one citizens of this great country. Others like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, incumbent Niger State governor, Alhaji Aliyu Babangida and others are all at the helm of affairs in their respective categories.
The governors exercises power at their levels even against their various local governments, so they know what power should be.
What baffles me is whether these national leaders had not in anytime either misused or get intoxicated with power, that they are not mindful of their actions, utterances and movement against the presidency?
If we believe that an order against any circumstance from the presidency could cause an untold experience, then these ex-lords should have guided themselves, acknowledging what they did during their tenure.
I feel that people are either tempting or pushing the presidency to react otherwise using the tools in his corridor, “FEDERAL MIGHT”.
In the circumstances of Rivers Crisis, there are people are crying wolf and pointing accusing fingers at the presidency for using Federal Might on the situation in the state.
Subsequently, in the case of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NGF, some unguided utterances were made even still ongoing against same presidency on using her powers against the supposed leadership of the unconstitutional body. What a mistake!
The Northern Nigerian Governors Forum saga, the travail of the former Bayelsa State executive Timipre Silva and more are attributed to the presidential might.
The Boko Haram nefarious activities and insurgency against the citizens and Christians in particular were not left out, when the former head of states, Rtd. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari kicked against the declaration of the state of emergency in the three northern states of Yorbe, Borno and Adamawa.
The worries by citizens are whether the attitude of former national leaders would aid in building or destroying the nation? Or have they forgotten their days?
Difusing the might is as difficult as not even daring it at all because it is like an inflammable substance where you could be killed in the process of playing around it.
Retired Generals, Olusegun Obasanjo, Babangida, Buhari and lots more exercised might without recourse to the law but he incumbent President I believe is not acting outside the law, but with regards to democratic norms.
To a reasonable extent, it is believing that Mr. President against all speculations is not exercising this exhortrance called federal might against anyone or tribe.
It is my desire opinion that, Mr. President should exercise his powers where and when necessary to avert certain unguided comments especially from within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
Whether President Jonathan was interested in the Nigerian Governors Forum election or not, I think it is expedient for him to be aware of the activities of the forum as the president overseeing the affairs of the nation.
Since the forum is of the serving governors in Nigeria, it is expected that its ideology would be that of the interest of the electorates rather than that of the members who are only money making governors.
If I should ask, what is it that someone who have served an association without election but by consensus would now ignore consensus? Is it not selfishness, arrogance and bitterness?
Little wonder, the man who ascended throne with the verdict of some paid officers, now rejects similar verdict by same officers for others, what an irony and mockery of the life experiences.
It is on record that the Obasanjo era never tolerated certain ills as experienced today. OBJ as fondly called had made his history even in the circumstances of the K-leg saga in Rivers State. Most times actions depicts whom, what a man is and is greatly feared and respected.
May I once again beacon on the presidency to rise up to the challenges of leadership to earn it the deserved respect because those at the state levels of governance have created and earned respect for themselves through their actions. ###
With James Mgboineme
Jamesprojectgodwin@yahoo.com.
