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If Obama was a Nigerian
Posted by: Guest Author on June 10, 2008 Under: Africa, Discussion Lounge, Feature, Nigeria, Opinion, USA
Muti This“If Obama had been a Nigerian, his race, colour and age would have been an intractable problem.” Reuben Abati writes via Nigerian Guardian recently about the Obama phenomenon.
This is a statement of fact that is valid not only in Nigeria, but pretty much across Africa. The following excerpts from Reuben’s articles even provide more contrast:
We saw the candidates going from state to state, city to city seeking the people’s support, begging for their votes. This or that candidate may have been endorsed by established figures in the American society, but there was no Godfather telling the Americans who to choose. In Nigeria, the party elders would have resolved the matter long ago by anointing a candidate.
If he had been a Nigerian politician seeking their support, those same Nigerians would have queued up in front of his house to ask for bribe, in exchange for their votes. Those super-delegates would have demanded cartons and lorry loads of money, knowing that they wield the power to tilt the balance. Indeed, here, even if Obama had won the vote and all the delegates, the leadership of the Democratic Party could have chosen to cancel the primaries and start afresh, or even introduce new rules that would exclude Obama or whoever they do not like. We have seen how the candidates engaged the electorate, here in Nigeria we have had cases of candidates emerging as winners of elections in which they never registered as aspirants.
In total Obama has spent just about three years as a Senator, and four years as Senator in the state of Illinois. He is just 46. If he had been a Nigerian, he would have been told to wait and allow older people to run. Obama has the gift of the gab. Here, he would have been told: “na grammar we go chop”. His insistence on change would have been pooh-poohed. His contemporaries out of sheer envy would have said: “is he the only one, who does he think he is?” And they would have struggled to pull him down even without being commissioned to do so by the opposition, or the Clintonites. In the last Presidential elections in Nigeria, Pat Utomi had wanted to be President. He shares a lot in common with Barack Obama. Well-educated, well-spoken, has a good grasp of issues and has demonstrated a passion for the common good over the years. He ran a vigorous campaign criss-crossing Nigeria on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), but what was the main response to Utomi: “oh yes, he is a good candidate, but Nigeria is not ready for a good candidate yet.”
While losing sleep over the US Presidential primaries, Nigerians should ask themselves these questions: when will Nigeria be ready for a good candidate? When are we going to start running campaigns that are issues and merit driven. The energy, the enthusiasm that is being devoted to Obamamania by the Nigerian Middle class should now be translated into sustained advocacy for the growth of democracy in Nigeria. There are Nigerians who claim that they contributed money to the Obama campaign fund. The same persons will be reluctant to put their money where their heart is in Nigeria. Obama’s strongest message was one of possibility: Yes, we can. I will like to see young and old Nigerians stand up in the face of the rot in our lives and consider the option of change, unity and hope and say like Obama: yes, we can. It is through such faith that a Nigerian dream can be constructed.
On the web: The Barack Obama phenomenon (2)
Ayanfe | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
I think this is a foolish article, once again from a typically historically illiterate and misguided Nigerian with tribalistic motivations and insecurities. Obama’s story while a celebration is 400 years too late. Comparing Nigeria to the story is ignorant at best. We did not start our countries at the same time.
Misi | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Sadly, this article is true. Obama would not be where he is now if it was Nigeria. Obama does sort of remind me of Pat Utomi who was never given a chance to prove himself because of party godfathers etc. Honestly, we really need help in Nigeria. Seriously I can’t blame Nigerians who give money to campaigns in the USA but don’t do so in Nigeria because at least in USA the law makes campaigns accountable for all donations received unlike Nigeria where you don’t know whether the aspirants are using the money for campaigning or to line their pockets.
CareTaker | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
@ Ayanfe
I am angered by your comment.
Your comment is loaded with expletive and phases like “tribalistic motivations and insecurities”, “foolish”, “derogatory”, etc. Then you end with “We did not start our countries at the same time”!
Have you really read article? It appears not, because there is absolutely no basis for your statement and vitriol!
Reuben makes a comparison that is based on past and current events in Nigeria. Reuben’s article speaks to the state of democracy in Nigeria.
We need to hold ourselves to higher standard in Nigeria to achieve our full potentials, and step out of mediocrity. This is what the article is about.
What is wrong with looking at the American system and doing a fair appraisal of our brand of democracy? Do you want us - a nation of 140 million people - to look at Somalia or Zimbabwe?
And let me ask: Are you really proud of the Nigerian brand of democracy? If you are, you must have just crawled out of a deep hole!
Eteks | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Unfortunately the dissenting voice amongst the previous commentators sounded and read like a particular type of Nigerian; boastful, loud, chest-beater; full of bombast, false pride as to the greatness of ‘Naija’- the great country - Lion of Africa!! Have I missed anything so far…?? {Probably forgot to mention likes to use long words…) By the way, if it was a woman - apologies [you didn't sound like it!] for the unintended misogynism….
As for the article - spot on; right on the money.
I challenge anyone with honesty and knowledge to dispute on a factual (or even anecdotal) basis ANY aspect of the article as it was written - and read.
Allegedly, winning elections in Nigeria requires the right mix of three things - Godfathers, money and area boys. You get the mix right - you get the nod. As simple as that.
I would go as far as saying that Obama would never have even come through to the final list of nominees in Nigeria. Apart from all the points raised in the main article, Obama’s base was defined, promoted and grown by three key things - an energetic, connected (internet & mobile) and enlightened (education, awareness of choices, the options) YOUTH - desperate for change.
The second key factor was the INTERNET. The ability to connect; always-on broadband - either via PC, TV or mobile for a generation of people brought up to communicate, share information and form opinions almost exclusively based on this medium of communication and interaction. The YouTube, MySpace, FaceBook generation…
The former were mobilised, managed and directed largely by [using the tools of] the latter.
The last key point was fund raising strategy. Obama’s campaign broke the mould by using the Internet to ask for small donations (typically $5 - 20.00) from a much wider base (students to pensioners)…much more often, much more. All told, he raised at least three times as much money as Clinton - a seasoned campaigner and fund raiser.
Now, here’s the thing - could he have done that in Nigeria? Successfully hurdle these considerable constraints - either in the form of obstacles (political structures and hierachy) or missing key tools for his campaign and strategy (internet; connected and informed youth)…?
Don’t think so, somehow…..
So, apart from the ['currently'; we hope for better going forward!] in-situ political model as practiced today, there are also very significant infrastructural, intellectual and social factors that, based on how Nigeria exists today, would work against the poor chap.
Now to address one of the points the dissenting commentator referred to - the relative ages of the two countries…
Obama won his party’s nomination IN SPITE OF his colour, a four-hundred year history of racism - strong even to this day. (that is the history he should be focusing on).
Obama is NOT accepted as ‘mainstream’ or the ‘establishment’; i.e. WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). And in the good ole US of A - the Establishment invariably calls the shots.
So, what Obama has achieved is momentous by ANY assessment or measurement. Indeed, When Martin Luther King stated 40 years ago… ‘I have a dream’ (momentous speech for the followers of history) - Obama is his dream come true.
And note, it came to pass (at least thus far!) within 40 years…
Now, let’s look at Nigeria.
After 40 years, why should we repeat mistakes or make wrong decisions, or follow bad practices or false roads for another 360-odd years - because others did (to follow the implied analogy from the dissenter)…??
Does that mean we are not ‘entitled’ somehow to an effective, productive form of governance (and the selection of elected officials) that ensures the transparent and beneficial management and direction of a nation’s assets, peoples and priorities for the singular benefit of its peoples and communities - because we are not ‘old’ enough….??
Just what kind of history are we reading/referring to/mindful of…?
All previous centuries have been defined by one of Adam Smith’s Four Units of Capital and Production - Land (Empire Building/Colonies - Wars); Labour (Slave Trade - Wars); Capital (Rise of Capital Markets & Banking; Trade); Entepreneurship (Capital Markets; Wall Street; ‘Greed is Good’)…
In none of these centuries were developing (3rd world) countries or territories able to compete on anywhere near a level footing with the ‘first world’ countries…
Now - in the 21st century - we have a new form of capital - KNOWLEDGE CAPITAL….. Learning, intellect, information, data; - the ability to learn the lessons of history - avoid the mistakes of the past; that you may progress in the present and achieve in the future….
And for the first time, there IS as level a playing field as you are going to get…
After all, how are we all over the world, getting so excited about Obama - if not from this same phenomenon of Knowledge Capital tools (the internet, blogs, chat rooms archives, etc..) enabling us to share the information, proceedings, incidents, analysis, etc…?
One - Obama’s Campaign theme - YES, WE CAN….!!!
Two - Obama’s Acceptance Speech theme - THIS IS OUR TIME…
CareTaker | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
@ Eteks, good stuff! Thanks for amplifying the message.
Oz | Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
As weird as it may sound. I felt a tinge of Ayanfe’s sentiments while reading the excerpts. It isn’t Reuben’s best work. It reads a bit shallow and child-like. I do not get his point. Even Obama himself isn’t this naive, regardless of how he may come across in his speeches. Am I the only one that saw a change of tact once he defeated Hillary. I think folks should take a step off blogging. There is indeed a fresh approach out there which runs counter to sheer punditry (for lack of a better word). Rube would have served us better if he looked into the causes of bad governance, rather than accepting and almost ascribing it solely to people problem. I used to feel like that a year ago, but I was clearly wrong. If I were the Guardian editor this would not make it to the pages. But that is just me.
Keep up the good work people.
CareTaker | Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
OZ: “If I were the Guardian editor this would not make it to the pages…”
Is Reuben’s article based on falsehood, inaccurate, or full of grammatic errors? No. These are some of the reasons an article could be declined, I think.
Reuben simply made a comparison based on what you and I know is the truth, what’s wrong with that?
He should have ” looked into the causes of bad governance, rather than accepting and almost ascribing it solely to people problem…”
Yes, Reuben could have done that. But the fact that he chose this approach did not in any way diminish the substance of the article and its meanings. Besides, any have sane person knows what the problem is in Nigeria, as I like to say, even a blind and deaf Eskimo knows the problems in Nigeria.
The problems with Nigeria lie principally with the people - either those leading or following.
Oz, you need to realize that what is presented here are just excepts; to get the full meaning you will need to visit the link and read the article in its entirety.
Be well!
awele | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
I agree with the author on most points.
If Obama was a Nigerian,and ran for the presidency in Nigeria, he would not be the president -elect today due to obvious reasons. The insatiable greed and corruption that emanates from that country would have left him begging to hang onto the senate seat alone.
As if that wasn’t enough, fear,envy,illiteracy and tribalism would have been stumbling blocks that would have prevented him from getting close enough to gain people’s confidence no matter how endearing his speeches were or how eloquent he was.
Actually Nigeria consisits of very intelligent men and women who are not being allowed to maximise their potentials in every capacity because they have to “respect their elders,” not step on certain toes, grease some palms etc.
Thank God, Obama is not Nigerian. His plans on change would have been stifled.He would not have stood for change but would have joined the big boys who play the game of politics so well in Nigeria. It’s only in America that he could have this story to tell the world….and maitain his dignity while doing so.
Omotaylor | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
For anyone who thinks Reuben’s article above is sub standard or reads false, I totally disagree. This article is simply honest and direct and simplicity sometimes is the best way to communicate. I take the liberty of repeating his last paragrapy:
“While losing sleep over the US Presidential primaries, Nigerians should ask themselves these questions: when will Nigeria be ready for a good candidate? When are we going to start running campaigns that are issues and merit driven. The energy, the enthusiasm that is being devoted to Obamamania by the Nigerian Middle class should now be translated into sustained advocacy for the growth of democracy in Nigeria. There are Nigerians who claim that they contributed money to the Obama campaign fund. The same persons will be reluctant to put their money where their heart is in Nigeria. Obama’s strongest message was one of possibility: Yes, we can. I will like to see young and old Nigerians stand up in the face of the rot in our lives and consider the option of change, unity and hope and say like Obama: yes, we can. It is through such faith that a Nigerian dream can be constructed”.
Good stuff I say.
Ola | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Am not amaze of some comments made, this is because many of us lack insight. Rueben was trying to communicate a FACT to us and we are not looking at the facts but holding the shadow. Thanks to Omotaylor to have to repeat Rueben’s comment once again. I want to aks people to read within the lines and not read for reading sake. When will we leave Old time politics and face the new era of politicing? Which is on merit and not God fatherism. When will the young ones be given the chance. They are all making effort to destroy El Rufia, Nuhu R., Amaechi, Mimiko, Fashola, Suswan etc because of the achievement as young people. Please, the change is now.
Omotaylor | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
@Ola, good on you, you have really won my heart with your matured outlook on this matter. You will go far. One question for you? How old was Jerry Rawlings when he enforced change in Ghana? Peace