FOREWORD
This is an infrequent book material from the band of the spectrum of political thought and belief to which the author of The Struggle to develop Nigeria comes from. The statement is usually made in the Nigerian press and in public discussions that the political parties of Nigeria are bereft of ideological underpinnings. This absence of ideological propulsion in the political interactions and the peculiar track of political development in Nigeria is always cited as a main reason for the dystrophy that characterises the system, among other many ills that keep the Nigerian political process in a state of paralysis. Similarly, serious commentators have stated that it is the absence of ideological positions and money politics that make it easy and common for Nigerian politicians to move from one party to another without batting an eye. This author has insisted even in this book that the practice is confined to the right wing political parties in Nigeria. Indeed, those parties are not erected on any ideological foundation and their leaders are more like businessmen than politicians.
Dr Abayomi Ferreira has shown in this book that indeed there are in Nigeria some political parties and movements that thrive on ideological bases. Obviously, all such parties would not exist but for the fact that they derive from the ideology, philosophy and political programmes of the left. This position is an electoral underdog today particularly, because of the practically unchallenged unipolarism of world domination that Western capitalism rides on in the contemporary world affairs, political thoughts and practice
The author traces the origin of the current polity in Nigeria, taking the reader from the emergence of the current polity in form of political party practices in 1950,through the very short period of post independence constitutional rule to the near four decades of military despoliation of the political structure and national economic paralysis to the current post dictatorship era of constitutional rule but with same old parties in new nomenclatures. He gives a distinct analysis of the policies of the ruling right wing political parties and made a spirited attempt at showcasing the alternative socialist programme for the development of Nigeria.
The author discusses many issues that hold down the left groups from advancing to political prominence that would put them close to and indeed in power. He makes bold prescriptions on what those who can really develop should do to take over power. His identification of the parties that are based on the socialist ideology, to my mind is generous. This defect, together with some contestable positions, however does not deprive the work of its worth and the need to make it seek its readers.
The book has a message for a number of identifiable groups that play various roles and apply certain influences in the political process in Nigeria: the ruling right wing politicians, the nominal left propagators who are in semi-secret romance with the ruling right wingers and the socialist parties and the left wing politicians of various shades and persuasions who are yet to organise to take power. To the last group, the author makes a prescription particularly in the arena of what is to be done.
Political literature of the socialist ideological orientation is rather few and not easily readable in this part of the world. This is the more reason that this type of work must be supported. The sustained impact of the beginnings of colonial and parochial politics on which basis national independence was erected is shown with respect to the confusing politics of the early 21st century. That origin and its nature have been shown by the historical path that is painstakingly traced in this work to be mainly responsible, though in the midst of other factors, for the failure to thrive of the concept of Nigeria to date. It is argued that only a consciously programmed system replacement of the ruling cliques by a conscious and relevant revolutionary………. would make the country be salvaged. Otherwise, the savaging of the national resources brought about a disabling level of corruption, stealing and waste with impunity that have been on for the past six decades and has perpetuated mass poverty would continue, driving the people and the country to irretrievable suffering and ruin.
Alhaji Abdul Balarabe Musa
Kaduna
6 January, 2009
