Unfortunately, there is no official pronouncement to condemn his nonsensical and undiplomatic utterances! What this translates into is that our so-called leaders occupying the various arms of government, past and or present are insensitive to the sovereign status of the country. I doubt if such could have happened under a military regime without turning into diplomatic rows. It is a revelation that the country is far from being a united entity! If not, why has there been no official statement to rebuke and warn Campbell and his likes. Or is it because the comments are against the previous government and its personnel? I know if anybody verbally attacks another person from a different zone of the country the series of counter attacks are always deafening. In other words we are more of regionally-loyal people than being called a nation.
However, Campbell’s utterances are better classified as the stance of a sentimental man who always puts up a defence to justify his action by rearranging his thoughts whenever he writes or speaks. Nevertheless, his unfortunate display of hatred for our country should attract condemnation from all who are passionate about the country and really understand their rights as citizens of a sovereign nation. Campbell’s arrant nonsense which Nigerian government has not deemed to condemn or rebuke shows that our sovereign is far from being supreme, devoid of unnecessary external meddlesomeness by interlopers. It is unfortunate that neither the legislature nor the executive considered it necessary to raise an eyebrow and be critical of the damaging implications of Campbell’s outburst against Nigeria and her unity. Does it mean none of those in leadership has the third eye to see that Campbell is a dangerous interloper and he and his likes should be halted from further denigrating the exalted seat of Nigeria presidency and stopped from sowing seeds of discord. But, it is like the agent provocateur he is, really understands the nature of our politics to be; pull him down, do or die, destroy and or persecute opposition, politics with bitterness, never see anything good in the other person etc. Thus, he capitalised on that to deliberately desecrate our presidency. Or what does it mean to insult the former first family of a nation by condemning their activities while in office. Without contradiction, he decided to use “divide and rule” to achieve whatever he intended and he found willing allies in both the government and its opposition who are oblivious of the great danger the country is being exposed to. He knows that most are lacking in knowledge and understanding, due to mental laziness, of what the sovereignty of a nation means and how important it is, to jealously guide it. He definitely understands that most of them are bereft of the rules and regulations (laws) which guide a country’s sovereignty.
Thus, he firstly condemned the immediate former Nigerian First Lady unrepentantly before he defended the policies of the present administration. He Christianised Jonathan’s administration ostensibly to counter the public outcry against the current regime’s style of appointments in a country where religion is a dangerously sensitive issue! Campbell does not love this country at all and it behooves on our leaders to be sensitive to this fact and condemn, officially, in totality, his antics for whatever his intentions are. This is to guide against worse insults and catastrophic damaging of our sovereignty. To this end both the legislative and the executive arms of government should issue stern warning to Campbell and other potential interlopers to desist from further interfering in our internal affairs.
Whether we like it or not each of our leaders, most importantly and especially the Presidents or whoever at the helm of affairs, since independence, represents Nigeria’s sovereignty and any insult haul on them or their families, verbally or in prints is an insult to the generality of Nigerians born and yet unborn. Therefore, irrespective of who occupied or occupying the seat, its sacredness should be upheld.
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If one sells his family member cheaply, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to repurchase even at a higher price. Despite the truism of this fact, an average Nigeria leader, in or out of government does not care about the value attached to those seats to which periodic elections are conducted. Little wonder they care or bother less when and if the seats are attacked or tainted even by them.
The current administration and those in opposition should note that when and if two brothers of the same family are fighting or having misunderstanding, external aggressor who might want to attack either of them should be jointly attacked, dealt with and kept at bay. This is because family feuds are temporary, thus interlopers are warned to be careful of undue interference.
Except there is official condemnation and rebuke of Campbell’s undiplomatic and nonsensical tirade, the next person to insult our presidency and sensibilities are likely to be lower than Campbell in status, and already has issues and materials with which to attack and condemn the current administration now or later. Therefore, Nigerians in and outside of power need to join hands and speak equivocally to condemn external interlopers most especially when it concerns sensitive issues that can disunite and further polarise us. With such disposition, we are sending strong warning to the outside world that we know our rights as a sovereign nation within the international circle and that we are capable of reasoning and resolving whatever internal issue or disagreement we are witnessing or must have passed through. Whichever way we handle ourselves concerning appointments is none of Campbell’s business. He is unworthy to condemn our leaders, past or present. He is agent provocateur seeking for whatever favour from the present administration. He should be discarded as he has stepped the red carpet and should be shown the red card.
Odedokun writes via (yemmy2811@gmail.com)
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