Courage of Conviction
I've previously considered the psychology of courage. The hot variety brought on by an adrenalin rush in a situation of danger or similar, the cold variety being a calm, calculated act of valiance.
The background of this post is this:
a. Anambra is a state in Nigeria, with a recent history of serious political violence, an extremely high crime rate and the hotbed of one of the more vocal secessionist groups in Nigeria.
b. The previous Governor of the state was the target of a number of assassination attempts and including shootings and a bomb attack which destroyed part of his official residence, of which a political figure associated with the Central Government in Nigeria was clearly identified as being the instigator. The said Governor was at one point kidnapped and forced at gun-point to resign his position.
c. The State Parliament was razed to the ground by thugs sponsored by the same individual mentioned above.
The individual responsible was identified as a Senior Adviser to Nigeria's President, who clearly had the support of the said President.
The scenario clearly being that of extreme state-sponsored violence against a democratically elected Government.
A panel of inquiry was set up by the State Government to investigate the violence resulting in the destruction of the state parliament and other government buildings. As things go the report was supposed to be a whitewash, since no-one was going to risk his neck indicting the obvious culprits. A wise line of thought, since the Governor with all his security detail was the target of such brazen violence, what hope did a bunch of defenceless civil servants?
The panel submitted its report two years ago and at the official submission, http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/vanguard/2005/06/15/commission_indicts_200_over_political_mayhem_in_anambra.phpand surprised all by a clear precise and revealing account of the process leading up to the violence. Good! However whilst researching the subject I came across an article, which highlighted a part of the report which had never been made public precisely thus
“Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba’s presence at the meetings in Chief Christian Uba’s house in Abuja during the plans and (Andy Uba’s) declaration there (at the said meeting) that he was the president’s alter ego was a huge morale booster to the plotters. His conduct was unbecoming of a person occupying the exalted office of Senior Special Assistant to Mr. President on Domestic Affairs. The Commission recommends he should be investigated and prosecuted”.
I have verified the authenticity of this quote and indeed the report itself, although the original site where the detail was released appears to have been suppressed . I can only say that it was refreshing to witness the courage of the Commission in making the recommendation, lets face the facts. Nigeria is not the posterboy for honesty and accountability in civil governance, it doesn't happen and when there is a semblance of same its usually geared towards narrow political ends against opposition figures and never focuses on the real crooks.
It took a great deal of courage for the Commission to have made the recommendation, least of all as I am aware that the Chairman of the Commission did not have and till today has no security detail (having rejected the single police detail issued to him) and by making the recommendation, placed himself in grave danger.
The report whilst submitted was never gazetted- not surprisingly- however the commissin had done itrs work and I shall salute the courage of the Chairman and his colleagues. It was an extremely brave thing to do in the circumstances in that the pronouncement placed the members in the direct firing line of the corrupt Government apparatus.
Anambra is my home state in Nigeria, hence I am concerned about issues in the state, however the report of the commission gives one hope that there is a process initiated that may have some part in changing the consciousness.
I salute the courage of the commission and its Chairman with whom I am well familiar, for he is my father. This is a legacy for my children far more valuable than any trust fund or monetary legacy. We never discussed the report, he didn't feel the need to trumpet what was simply another day at the office in a 47 year career. Well I do and have
posted by Seal67 at 10:05 am
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