Barack Hussein Obama has just one more year in the illustrious office of the President of the United States of America. The Kenyan born Obama is the first black to occupy the White House, the Seat of American Political Power. By January 2017 He will finish his two terms as the most powerful man manning the most powerful post in the world. Ordinarily leaving such a high office will not come easy. The perks, the power, the respect, the opportunities, the limelight and of course the distinction of being referred to in official and official quarters as the most powerful man in the world. As human the thought of another term or extension of tenure under some guise would have flickered through his mind. Even if at unguarded moments. If it does, Obama is in good company. After all his African brothers not only entertain such thoughts, but nurture , activate and eventually through manipulations and contraptions bring it to pass even if at very high cost to self and country.
But Obama knows it is impossible. Even if he contemplates it OBAMA knows that the institutions in the United States will make such thought impracticable and such venture a grope in the dark which will never become a reality. I am sure as soon as it comes Obama will perish such blasphemous thoughts. For in their clime to even contemplate such “evil” against established norms is anathema. For there are strong institutions that always ensure that even popular and strong leaders do not ever cross the line of decency and the good of the land.
Now look at Pierre Nkirunziza of Burundi who after 10 years as President of his country defied the system, crushed opposition in a brutal manner and is staying on as president even as his country slides into war and his people’s lives become nasty, brutish and short. It is possible because Burundi only has a strong ruler and there are no strong institutions to checkmate him. Like the Burundi nightmare, Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and a number of African rulers including Samuel Doe, Laurent Gbagbo, and Mobutu Sese Seko all clung to power leading to civil strife, death and destruction and in some instances war and genocide in their domains. In Zimbabwe the Nonagenarian ruler is still holding on after 36 years in the corridor of power. In official and unofficial quarters in Zimbabwe, the talk is that Madam first lady may become madam president after the exit of Mr. President. Some Nigerian rulers have also tried such stunts at different times with dire consequences for their persons and the country.
It is possible in Africa to entertain and nurture the third term bid or perpetual or president for life because of our weak institutions and the cult of self-praise which are built round rulers. Rulers are given the impression that without them their countries would collapse. That was what led to the transmutation of Maser Sargent Samuel Doe, who shot his way to the State House in Monrovia, to a Civilian President. After grabbing the presidency, he appropriated the machinery of state and he became the strong man in the process weakening all institutions and equating the State to self. He believed the praise singer who constantly told him that without him Liberia was finished. He paid for his misadventure in 1990 when he was killed in a most gruesome manner. Doe’s sit tight plot plunged his country into chaos and a brutal war that led to the death of many Liberians and other nationals from sister African countries. Liberia is yet to completely shake off the effect of those years of pestilence. Some Nigerian rulers who were fed with the same lies that the country would die the moment they leave also tried to stay on in perpetuity through transmutation and self-perpetuation. They did a lot of damage to the institutions that strengthen democracy in the process of carrying out their inordinate ambition. It was easy for them to manipulate the system because of the absence of Strong institutions.
Obama will not toe that line because the United States and other well established democracies thrive on Strong institutions and less on strong men and rulers. Nigeria tends to build strong rulers and pay little or no attention to the building of strong institutions that will engender the entrenchment of democratic norms and ideals. Nigeria does not have strong institutions that will checkmate anti people and anti-democratic tendencies. When you build strong institutions it will make it impossible for weak leaders to be manipulated and led astray with dire consequences for country and people. Strong institutions will also stop strong rulers from manipulating the system and tampering with established norms and practices.
The problem with strong rulers is that when they leave their legacies and acts unravel. However strong institutions endure and lead to thriving and enduring democracy and rule of law. That is why Obama, even if he has some misgivings or hesitation, will have to leave by January 2017 when his Second term ends.
There cannot be a third term agenda by Obama when we are not in Burundi.
. Adebanjo sent this piece via obanijesu@yahoo.com.
