OF ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AND UNGUARDED UTTERANCES It is comprehensible that the average Nigerian citizen regardless of where situate, may express displeasure at the present political dispensation in Nigeria today. Numerous events that touched every Nigerian in one way or the other have taken place in recent times. It is therefore not unexpected for people to show their disapproval with the current state of things or to vent their anger on someone or something, but the manner of expressing such disapproval must be kept under control. The displeasure at the present political dispensation in Nigeria has made the present regime a target of repeated criticism both from home and abroad. However, how does one explain it when a former elected Governor of one of the Northern states in Nigeria and a top shot in one of the main political parties in Nigeria today, is publicly calling for the removal of the elected President of Nigeria by any means. The former Governor in answer to a question said that God should remove the President from office by any means, even if it is by a military coup. He opined that the political regime has failed. The statement of the Deputy Governor who in an interview (before the murder of Chief Bola Ige) stated that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice deserves worse treatment than just the insult the Attorney General received from the mob before his murder, also comes to mind. This piece does not accuse the Deputy Governor of the murder of Chief Bola Ige, but by his very statement, the Deputy Governor made himself a suspect. The matter is now under investigation, but we all know that the Deputy Governor does and will always regret his unguarded statements during that fateful interview. So, when will our politicians learn to control their utterances? Honestly the former Governor's utterances were so baffling that one is compelled to ask if the former Governor had a clandestine reason for his utterances, although the news now is that he wishes to challenge the President for the presidency come 2003 (while calling for a coup?). If politicians like the former Governor invalidate their genuineness and pass a vote of no confidence on themselves in preference for a military regime, how on earth will such politicians expect the people to trust or have any confidence in them? The trend these days are for everyone to pick on the President, justifiably or not. I am not a fan of the manner in which the present administration has handled the affairs of the Nigerian people today, but how about some courtesy in making our points? Does one's point loose its weight if they are made in a polite manner? Or is there an assurance that the person being berated will get to read a write-up or listen to a comment only if the comment insults and abuses him or her? I am aware that other writers and speakers guilty of the observation being addressed here may want to whip me over this one. Nevertheless, we are aware that there are gullible Nigerians who pattern their ways of life, arguments, and views on contemporary issues after the information they receive by reading or listening. It is said that the pen is mightier than the sword, hence writers ought to realize that they could incite positive or negative behavior in others by the kind of words and language they use. We do not necessarily have to be antagonistic in making our points. Constructive criticism will do the nation better at this time rather than destructive criticism laden with venomous words. So far, the President may not have done the kind of job we expected of him, but using words like moron, stupid, etc. to qualify his intelligence or personality may not be the best way to get the best from him. To err is human and the man is human. Let us treat him with some decorum and modicum of respect. Even if the present administration is as bad as many critics have claimed, or the President is guilty of the use of vile language in addressing Nigerians, to resort to abusive words when referring to him will only mean a descent to the same level he has been accused of, rather than reminding him of the proper manner of speech expected of his position. If we desecrate the office of the president because of our displeasure with an individual president, we may be setting a precedence that would encourage the lack of respect for the presidency or constituted authority even when a supposed better individual ascends the presidency. Millions of Nigerians voted the President into office and we must endeavor to respect that choice for the duration (and term) it is supposed to last. Until the incumbent president leaves office, he remains the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and that position by itself, deserves some respect. This trend of abusive language is also noticeable in rejoinders and comments to articles between writers. My understanding is that the purpose of writing is to educate, inform, or enlighten the reader. This objective seems abandoned when we (the writers) get locked in a battle of egos to know who is more grammatically correct, better read, or learned. The problem with that is that the reader stands a chance of being misguided by cheap words thrown like missiles between such writers. The former Governor may have aired his views and expressed his displeasure at the President but he may have failed to convince many Nigerians to take him seriously on the topic, and perhaps subsequently on other issues. While always ready to admonish our leaders and fellow Nigerians (and Africans) on contemporary issues, it is important for us not to deign our integrity by the manner we present our views and suggestions. That is the validity upon which the substance of our writing or speech can be tested and the scale with which the confidence that can be placed on it is weighed. Note: The following poem was not written to refer to any of the persons mentioned in the above article. It is meant to generally address situations of unguarded statements that later come to haunt the makers of such statements. UNGUARDED STATEMENTS When he did make those statements, As unguarded as they were, Many thought he could do it, A few thought he never would. Now that it has well happened, Many fingers point to him. Though the deed he now denies, Just a few would see with him. Though defense may spare his neck, He cannot erase his speech. |