The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), a.k.a. Pyrates Confraternity wishes to fore-warn the nation that the current overheating of the Nigerian political system by some politicians will consume all those involved if allowed to ignite. NAS will take all necessary steps to ensure the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
While we recognize the right of all Nigerians to a peaceful protest, we strongly condemn any calls for mass action with a violent and murderous undertone. We also categorically condemn and reject the call for the setting up of an Interim National Government. This call is, to say the least, very retrogressive, unpatriotic and undemocratic. All those involved in this call cannot claim to be fostering democracy and ought to rethink their stand.
In simple terms, the policy stinks. It is an encapsulation of the exact opposite of everything that National Integration and Unity, a theme that has been propagated by every constitution and every government in the history of Nigeria, even the Military Governments since independence in 1960, represents. It is unjustifiably discriminatory and completely unsustainable. The rationale behind this policy, as explained by the Commissioner, is that it is designed to enhance the educational needs of Nigerians from Zamfara States. This explanation is both tame and unpalatable. It is extremely disturbing to consider what the consequence of this kind of action could be if it is reciprocated elsewhere.
Democracy thrives on due process of the law. Nigeria has concluded her general elections. Based on the NAS election observation feedback and the various reports by all the election monitoring groups (local, national and international), our Organization, NAS concludes that the election results as announced for some State and Federal elections have not reflected the will of the people. We condemn in strong terms all actions that have led to this state of affairs. We must however allow for due process.
We must allow the election petition Tribunals to conclude their sittings. Nigerians are looking up to the Tribunals to uphold any remaining hopes for patriotism in Nigeria and for the institution of true democracy in Nigeria. We strongly urge the Tribunals to uphold the truth through their judgments and wherever evidences support to overturn the election results. This will give the needed muscle to the Third Realm of Government (the Judiciary) and restore some hope to Nigerians. The nation is counting on you!
The actions and activities of the parties before and throughout the elections period are only reflective of the injuriously corruptive and destructive state of our nation. They are clearly indicative of the very ills that bedevil the country and crucially need to be redressed as a nation.
Nigeria must not be fragmented! The nation belongs to all Nigerians and we must all work together to save the country from the claws of greedy, self-serving, immature politicians.
Signed:
Dr. Odili Ojukwu
NAS Capone
National Association of Seadogs (NAS)
29th May 2003
