NEED FOR THE KWARA PATRIOTS (TKP).

        AKOGUN IYIOLA OYEDEPO

           

I have always been of a firm belief that within the parameters granted by the provisions of 1999 constitution, Nigerian state administrative units have reasonable and workable autonomy. Our federalism may not satisfy the principles of Federalism as established by KC Whare, the acclaimed father of the theory of federalism; what we have is enough to operate a government that is fair, compassionate and development oriented. 

Our problem is being on one spot for a long time without critical interrogation of our situations at all stages of our history. We have changed from the Emirate of Caliphate, to colonialism and then to independence. These have been changes of political systems and the personalities in political authority and control. The state of inequality and oppression still persists. We moved from feudalism to indirect rule, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship and now presidentialism. Yet, we have not solved the problem of lack of harmonious living together of people of diverse religions, ethnic backgrounds and historical origins. I can only see cosmetic changes that only scratch the surface of our problems.

Yes, we have produced leaders in the civil service, academic, religion, politics, etc. Yet we still jump and often land on the same spot. I agree that human society should be work in progress, but when only symbolic progress is noticeable, there is the need for curious concern. We have not outgrown as a state, the divisions that the jihad of 1804 created in what is now called Kwara State. That is why I now write on the need to have a body of people that we can call, The Kwara Patriots. 

At every turn of human history there is the need for political engineering and re-engineering; otherwise, we shall only be comfortable with different shapes of the same history. The oppression that feudalism of the emirate system brought may have been disguised in other forms; it has not disappeared. Its current package is in ethnic/religious divisions among the people of Kwara. The oppression of the moment is in the nebulous concept of development often celebrated as advancements. When all we do is to repackage the oppression of the yonder with a new strategy and tactics to arrive at the same conclusion, we should know that we always have unresolved issues. These unresolved issues should be the focus of governance of today.

And what are the issues? They are issues that are of ethnic, religious, geographical , gender, youth, etc considerations. They are issues that that can be solved by subscribing to the philosophy of humanism. This was the philosophy of the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, when it was declared that all men are born with some bundles of rights that are inalienable. Philosophy of humanism is not about a specific country or a particular state. It is a philosophy germane to human society that have differences that must be woven together for common harmonious relationship. It is a philosophy of general application. This philosophy, if it is not permitted in Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Benue; it does not mean that it can not work in Kwara State, if we intentionally make it an affirmative action to cement relationships in the heterogeneous community of Kwara State.  

Our shared problems as human beings are: acute poverty, unemployment, particularly our youths, deficient infrastructural developments, education that can not compete with modern trends, lack of unity of actions and purpose, poor condition of health institutions etc. Which of all these are not the desires of all Kwarans wherever they live or come from? They are our shared problems, resolution of which can lead to shared prosperity. 

That is why I am advocating for the establishment of The Kwara Patriot (TKP). A patriot in this case is someone who genuinely loves and serves Kwara State. The service is not necessarily as elected or appointed people in government. It is about the men or women that had had opportunities and made success of such. Such people want to give back to the society services that create sanity and development. 

It is a known fact that many of us who are even ethnic, religion and sectional champions, gleefully talk of patriotism. Patriotism is not a mantra to be chanted, it is rooted in belief followed by actions. You do not profess it, you act it. The Kwara Patriots should be one that deeply love and care for the state to the extent that they want welfare and happiness for all the people of the State. They should be people that demand the highest standards for the people of Kwara and accept nothing but the best for and on behalf of the people of the state. Patriotism is not a thing of the heart alone, it has to be communicated. Patriots should therefore be objectively outspoken against all forms of evil in the society. This group of people are neither politicians, seekers of public appointments, contracts and favours. The members should enjoy the confidence of the people as a result of their moral standing in the society and particularly as a result of their well acknowledged integrity and character. 

The Kwara Patriots should have the following qualities :

 1. Love for the Kwara State– They should have deep respect for Kwara history, culture, and values. In this case while we know the history of our oppressive past, we should see in it, the path we shall no more tread. A new value is thereby created which leads to a new cultural harmony.

 2. Sense of duty – This group should Willingly serve the State with responsibility, whether in small or big ways.

 3. It should be the moral guide of the State that has respect for laws and constitution. It should be one that believes in equity fairness and justice, and the rule of law. The Patriots should be the moral compass and conscience of Kwara.

 4. Selflessness – The individuals in the group shall be such people that puts State holistic interests above personal gain or community or primordial interests.

 5. Courage and sacrifice – These are men or women who are ready to face hardship or danger for the the sake of the State.

 6. Unity and tolerance – The patriots shall have respect for fellow Kwarans regardless of differences.

 7. Honesty and integrity – They should be the type of people that act truthfully and ethically for the good of the people of Kwara.

The question now is, how can we find and identify these type of people in Kwara state? Here is a state of communities-sectional jingoists. Leaders in Kwara state no matter the level of education or perceived sophistication, are villages or communities’ patriots. Everyone fight for personal or community interests, nobody fight for Kwara State. We treat Kwara as inexhaustible elephant, killed, butchered and shared by all. It is about exhausting the fortunes of the state and not about further building. Only The Patriots and not ethnic, religious and sectional celebrities can make Kwara flourish.

But we need The Patriots if we must survive as a state. Kwara is unique in composition, focus and destiny. It is artificial as we are not a homogeneous entity. It is at the northern tip of the Yoruba nation and the southern boundary of the Hausa/Fulani North. It is a state where Yoruba is widely spoken but the lever of political power is controlled by tradition, religion and geo-political considerations. There is the need for a new Kwara that will compel power to serve and not oppress the people. There are several centrifugal forces ready to pull down this state. It could only be held down for a while operating as we do today. As the seed of discord is still there; grievances can only be held down for a while. It will burst someday. The earlier we find common areas of interests; as the building blocks of a prosperous Kwara, the better for our development. 

Formation of The Kwara Patriots is not an alternative to the emergence of patriotic elected leaders to run our institutions. But since 1999, when did we produce patriotic leaders that had led this state with a zeal for the love or concern for all sections of the state? Leadership here have always been that we are the largest and we should continue to lead. It could also be that we are born to lead Kwara always. It could also be gender based as some still wonder how a female should be made a governor in this state. It could also be that Kwara should always be led only by Muslims as it is an Islamic state. Which of the above signify holistic Kwara zeal and patriotism? No Governor produced under the above variables can ever be patriotic.

But even if we have a governor with patriotic fervor, he should still be checked by a body that have collective weighty voices that will further direct the path of democratic patriotic governor. This will prevent power pollution that could turn visionary Governor to a monster.

How therefore do we know and put together members of The Kwara Patriots? This is a tough assignment putting into consideration the qualities of a Patriot as established above. When you go through what makes a person a Patriot, the question that must necessarily follows is: can we really find Patriots in Kwara state?This is a place where many are ethnic, sectional and religious bigots. Kwara is a conglomerate of different interests groups that celebrate community feats over the good of the whole state. It is in Kwara that we celebrate the numbers of medical Doctors, professors, Engineers, Vice Chancellors, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, communities have more than their known or perceived counterparts. We do not celebrate their utilities for humanity and the whole of the state. The celebration is that our community now has additional people to “plunder the state for our advantage”. In fact, once you are made a governor, you are expected to use 90% of the opportunities of the office for your community. Absolute Community loyalty is a clog to the development of Kwara State. It makes leaders to adhere to community interest over and above the whole state. 

Therefore, if The Kwara Patriots is to be established, who is qualified among our admittedly successful Kwara State religious, entrepreneurs, academic, professional, leaders who are sectional champions?

Then who is to form the forum? The Kwara Patriots should not be government created or sponsored. It should be created by one persons or some persons that are public spirited.? The mover of this serious forum should be men or women of integrity, successful in their callings, not beggers for food and other opportunities. They should be people who are ready to call a spade, a spade despite all odds. 

At the Nigeria level we have The Patriots led by Chief Emaka Anyaoku that is advocating for a new constitution for the country, emphasizing national unity, agitating for inclusivity, tackling corruption and generally addressing the issues that can promote good governance for a prosperous nation. Other members of The Patriots are: Prof Anthony Kila, Dr Biliksu Maigoro, Senator Shehu Sanni, Gen Ike Nwanchukwu, Obong Victor Attah, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Amb Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, Olusegun Osoba and Mike Ozekhome SAN. These are distinguished Nigerians with impeccable record of public service. 

If The Kwara Patriots is to be formed who in the present Kwara State is qualified? Yes, we have reputable successful people in public and private enterprises, but what are their stand on corporate Kwara?

Even the public debate on gubernatorial zoning is as a result of absence of patriotic leadership. If we have had governors that saw the whole of Kwara as truly their constituency, giving due attentions to the whole of Kwara State in terms of appointments, location and execution of projects, promotion in the civil service, cornering of Federal opportunities etc, agitation for gubernatorial rotation would not have been this strong. A sitting Governor once told a visiting delegation from the northern zone of Kwara, that he is advocating for Kwara North governorship because that is when the region can be developed. What an admission of failure of a leader that garnered support from all sections of Kwara State, but reduced the gubernatorial impacts to his zone in Kwara! As long as this thinking is permitted to flourish, Kwara will never develop patriotic leadership. As gubernatorial rotation is a tough issue, it means without it, there will be no equity, fairness and justice in the operation of the government of Kwara. And if it succeeds, only the people whose son occupies the seat of government will be entitled to development. Only a set of patriotic Kwarans with a focus on common good for the people of Kwara can stand up against this wrong thinking on how to run a heterogeneous community of Kwara State.

We therefore need weighty opinions and voices that will analyze annual budget of the state and say, this is not balanced, if indeed it is not. A body that will question the profligacy of an administration, a body that will question government policies and provide alternative policy options. I am talking of a group that will also applaud the government when it does well. Am talking of a group that is not hungry for the spoils of office as a result of which it is unable to talk truth to power. A body of people across Kwara ready to shape the destiny of Kwara from this path of destruction which the present state of Kwara represents. I say that we need The Kwara Patriots (TKP).

But if we move through the length and breadth of Kwara State and we find it impossible to have Kwara Patriots; then it is better to forget about this state. It is patriots that develop a state, not ethnic intellectual, professional, political militias. If we continue the way we do, it only takes a national dialogue on re-shaping Nigeria, to erase Kwara from the map of Nigeria. The earlier we encourage holistic patriotism, the better for the shared prosperity for the people of Kwara State.