Selected random thoughts on Nigeria , By Ladipo Adamolekun

premiumtimesng.com · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

Full Article

Awo’s “People’s Republic” I think Awo has done some original thinking – the type that is rare, even among academics. The chapters on “Focus of Government” and most of the sections on economic analysis are well-crafted. He deserves praise for this useful addition to the few quality works on Nigeria. – 24th January 1969. Nigeria: Coalition Government for a Decade Each time I reflect on the future political system for Nigeria, I feel that the overwhelming evidence is for a coalition government to succeed the military government. The Government and Opposition concept is not appropriate in our circumstances and we are not likely to be able to operate a one-party system. My thesis is that a coalition system falls somewhere between the two and suits our circumstances as a transitional system while we allow habits and values to form and eventually dictate which system we can operate. In fact, it may turn out that we operate a permanent coalition system. A federal government composed of representatives from parties that have at least ten percent of all seats in parliament from more than two of the twelve states. [This would translate into six of the current thirty-six states]. Each state should be allowed to develop either a Government and Opposition system or a one-party system. Federal Government to have responsibility for guaranteeing rule of law and individual freedom. – Oxford, 17th January 1971. On Behavioural Ethics Although Christian ethics teaches that the self should come after “others”, the reality is that the vast majority of people put themselves before others and the very tiny minority who practise “self last” suffer. In my opinion, another Christian ethics is more logical and less open to abuse: Do unto others as you would they should do unto you. Thus, if you place others after yourself, be prepared to accept situations in which others place you after themselves. From experience, one is likely to be less shocked by adopting the latter. – Oxford, 19th September 1971. Sports, Politics, and Economics Rhodesia in the Olympics? I am definitely against. Although the idea of separating sports from politics is quite attractive, I do not think it is realistic. Those who make this point forget that sports are part of economics. (Germany has much to gain economically from staging the games). The claim that sports should be separated from politics would amount to asking for a separation of politics and economics. – Oxford, 18th August 1972. On Murtala Mohammed Regime “On the whole, I am very supportive of the Mohammed regime – a most unusual and somewhat embarrassing situation! I am surprised that I could support a national government for more than 6 months!! Some people think that we are already engaged in a revolutionary process. I am not so sure and I have my strong doubts. But I think that we are on the threshold of a nationalist revolution (without a socio-economic dimension yet): the government’s position on Angola, the genuine (sic) emphasis on national unity and the on-going attempt to evolve a new concept of public service. Well, time will tell whether or not we are already on our way to progress and greatness.” – Excerpt from a letter to a friend, 12th February 1976. Postscript: Murtala Mohammed was assassinated the day after this reflection, 13th February 1976. Government and Opposition The so-called opposition leaders in Africa are not genuinely interested in idea-oriented opposition. They are simply interested in replacing those in power. In their defence, one can say that they really have no fundamental differences with those in power except to replace them. (A thought on Moroccan politics generalised for the continent). – November 1977. What is Happiness? Frankly, I do not know the answer to this question. Better still, I think that there is no one correct answer. There are probably as many answers as there are human beings who care to reflect on the question. Of course, there are a few general statements that one can make that could have widespread applicability. Happiness is probably a relative concept. No man is ever happy all the time. The ending to children’s stories of people living happily ever after is not a real-life statement or experience. But every human being does experience moments or periods of happiness. I have always felt happy anytime I am satisfied with what I am doing. There are some achievements that bring great joy to me and on such occasions, I feel great and happy. Then, there are a few things that provide continuous happiness – like a project to which I am deeply committed. There are also a few persons whose company I thoroughly enjoy and there is a sense in which I can say that they make me happy. Perhaps the really intriguing thing about this complex concept is the fact that what brings happiness to some can be the source of sorrow for others. But nobody ever desires to be unhappy and so we shall continue to search for happiness. – 30th December 1979. Nigeria/Benin Relations In the 1970s, a government company in Benin Republic was exporting huge quantity of cocoa, far above whatever the country produced. Nigerian Government protested and Benin Government liquidated the company. However, a private company emerged doing exactly the same thing. Two catches: (a) Government to Government protest could no longer be effective, and (b) new private company was owned by top leaders of incumbent “socialist” government in Benin! – Late 1970s. Respect and Trust Without doubt, the most commonly evoked term when it comes to affection is love. However, judging by the fate of marriages in different societies, human beings of all colours and of all sorts must have grievously damaged that term. Love is supposed to be the underpinning of marriage and since marriages crash in such large numbers, it is most likely that vey many people who claim to be in love do not really know or mean what they say. Or it could be that love suffers considerably from wear and tear. For some reasons, I’ve recently had to reflect on the terms, “respect” and “trust”. It appears to me that both terms represent concrete attitudes which cannot be frivolously invoked in the way the term love is used by every Dick and Harry in respect of every Ojo and Aina. At least, speaking for myself, I find that if I say I respect Mr A, whether he be a senior or a junior person, that attitude remains permanent. The dimension of trust is more difficult as it requires some intimacy before it can be appropriately invoked. Also, unlike respect, it is more often subject to periodic strains and stresses. Someone who is trusted can behave in a manner to put that trust to test but if the same person is also respected, the feeling of trust can be restored. Any relationship that is underpinned by respect and trust is likely to be long-lasting. And come to think of it, should love not really be based on the respect and trust of the two persons concerned? Perhaps, the real explanation for the collapse of so many love relationships is the absence of respect and trust. – 8th January 1980. On Women Some say that women are the weaker sex. I think that this established “wisdom” needs serious qualification. Physically, the statement is almost 100 percent true. In the physiological sense, the correct statement will be to say that the female and male sexes are different. Perhaps, another sense in which an absolute statement can be made is the apparent subordination of women to men in Christian religion – several references in the Bible attest to this. However, as human beings, I have the impression that women are more complex than men. I also think that they are more fascinating and interesting. Just one critical illustration: in how many marriages is the man really the prime mover? Put differently, how many men marry their wives and how many women marry their husbands? – 28th February 1980. On Political Activism The political activist has a very unpromising prospect from the point of view of preaching and actually hoping to implement. However, such activists will have to accept in advance that their objectives will be as well achieved without their physical guidance. All this points to the importance of developing a body of ideas that others can struggle to see through. – 26th June 1980. A Humanist’s Dilemma A humanist’s natural reaction to capital punishment is to condemn the action in the strong belief that taking the life of any human being should occur only in extreme circumstances such as warfare. It is in order to avoid any concessions whatsoever on the sanctity of human life that some humanists are pacifists and support total disarmament. As a humanist, therefore, I am appalled by the fact that Babangida Administration felt constrained to order the execution of General Vatsa, the Abuja poet, and nine others. However, as an informed observer of the Nigerian political scene, I am aware that given what the Administration’s spokesman claimed was planned by the alleged coup plotters and the imperative of political survival in the midst of the Organisation of Islamic Countries controversy and indecision over the fate of those who damaged the national economy, the death sentence was predictable. The obvious dilemma here is that while my head understands, my heart is wounded. The on-going political debate must focus attention on how best to eliminate political violence, including the violence that is implicit in a coup d’état. – March 1986. Vision for Nigeria in the Year 2015 (1990-2015 Timeframe) Improved quality of life for citizens; respect for basic human rights; achievement of social rights to education, health and housing; citizen empowerment in an open political process characterised by participation, accountability and transparency; respect for the rule of law (a society based on a functioning and predictable legal order); and orderly political leadership succession. Pragmatic, eclectic road toward implementation Consociational democracy, NOT f