Random Reflections With Okafor: ‎Lessons From Scotland

By Okafor C Udoka

"We would be deeply diminished without Scotland. This matters to all our futures. And everyone in the UK can have a voice in this debate... If we lost Scotland, if the UK changed, we would rip the rug from under our own reputation. The plain fact is we matter more in the world together... From us to the people of Scotland – let the message be this: We want you to stay." David Cameron, British PM

After all these months of intrigues, suspense and tensions, the people of Scotland have spoken; they spoke in clear terms. And their declaration preserves 307 years old British union amidst tears, disappointments, opportunities and joys that have enveloped Scotland, and indeed UK, since Friday.

Almost 60 years ago, Harold MacMillan argued that "Alliances are held together by fears; not love." Perhaps no other recent political event has proved MacMillan absolutely right than the Scottish referendum of last week.

Before the Scottish referendum, political pundits had argued that an independent Scotland would be a country which could do great things and open a new vista of progressivism and prosperity in Europe if its inhabitants vote "Yes" to Scottish independence.

From political and socio-economic analyses, we were inundated with opportunities that shall work for the benefit of an independent Scotland. Those analyses aided to push the "Yes campaign" to its peak in the dying days of the referendum campaigns. And at a time during the campaigns, it did appear as if the "Yes team" are going to carry day eventually.

But in reality, the people voted "No" to independence out of what experts claim was the "fear of the unknown;" they voted "No" to a new country and hope. And the United Kingdom is better off with the scottish trust in the union. However, the British Union appears safe today but it is hard to guess if the "sword" of division has finally departed the land of the Brits.

In the days to come, United Kingdom would be the centre of all eyes as the country begins the process of reconciliation, forgiveness and wholesome re-integration of Scotland into the British union in words and deed on the strength of Alex Salmond's resignation as the First Minister of Scotland. Of particular interest would be how and when the English man would start seeing the Scottish as equal and erect firm foundation which shall set the stage for the devolution of power, respect, equality and justice in the United Kingdom.

And the ability of the United Kingdom to do all these genuinely would indeed settle the question of Scottish independence forever, not in a generation as David Cameron enthused as he celebrated the victory of the "No team" last Friday. This is because secession, in history, is always a child of manifest imbalances and unfair structure in the polity. Fact is, you can't keep yelling, crying and telling a lady how mightily you "love, cherish and adore" her any time she wants a divorce and fail to show her "love" when she decides to stay in the union of marriage.

Hopefully, Scotland has won the debate for more powers over tax, welfare and government spending issues through the "No" victory in the just concluded referendum.

For me, having meticulously followed the Scottish Independence debate over the last 2 years, the Scottish question seems settled and Nigeria has some key lessons to learn from the Scottish referendum which shall improve our Nigerian union and make it work for all of us.

One, there is limit to politics and opposition once national issues are on the table for discussion. The British political leaders, irrespective of political leanings, rallied in unity to save their union. From Ed Miliband to Nick Clegg, the campaign was intensely pushed with one goal; from Gordon Brown to his successor in office, David Cameron, the message was clear: "we want Scotland to stay in UK." Can we say the same of Nigeria as we battle domestic terrorism fostered on us by Boko Haram?

Two, Nigeria is not the only country with chequered history. Of course, we cannot claim monopoly of fighting a civil war to save our country. Indeed, England and Scotland had fought the most bitter wars in human history but they have elected to allow reason, forgiveness and patriotism rule their minds. We can learn from them, if you ask me.

Three, debate, consultation, dialogue and consensus are indispensable in solving and resolving all human and national challenges. Thus, I have no doubt whatsoever in my mind that the impulsive and youthful exuberance induced Nigerian Civil War of 1967-70 which cost us over 3 million lives was an avoidable disaster. And we must be eternally ashamed of that dark spot in our history with its attendant war crimes and work against such nightmare today and in the future given that Scotland had the option of picking up arms against the UK to gain its independence but it chose to be civil and use democratic tools to settle its problems.

Four, elsewhere I have had the opportunity to debate issues with the school of thought which hold that the Nigerian Civil War was a "child of necessity." It was not; for me, it was a child of immaturity and failure of dialogue and insincerity of the key actors of our national politics then. And that explains why manifest injustice, inequality and imbalances in the structure of the Nigerian State are by-products of the war. So, there is the overriding urge to discuss the restructuring of our federation along the principles of true and fiscal federalism to make our union take its rightful place of respect and pride in the comity of nations.

In a way, I hear someone echo that we have started the discussions geared towards making Nigeria work through the recently concluded National Confab convened by President Goodluck Jonathan. Truest truism! However, we must follow up on the products of the confab and ensure that its resolutions are given the weight of reform and law through the National Assembly by altering our constitution as it is presently obtainable.

Five, we have deliberately made crude oil found in the bellies of Niger Delta region of the country the sole binding power of our union since the end of the Civil War; our Scottish friends teach us that patriotism, national ethos, solidarity, compassion and freedom should be our inspirations if we must build a strong, resilient and prosperous Nigeria. Therefore, tribal and religious undertone of our national debate must give way for healthful virtues of patriotism, reconciliation, forgiveness, reason, etc to ride the crest now.

Six, I have always had some fears for unity of Nigeria but the result of the Scottish referendum impels me to reason that Nigerians are not unmindful that our world thrives collectively on plurality and numbers. Indeed we have passed the era when a section of this great nation hoped to excel as an Island to itself. The irrevocable fact is: US, China, Switzerland, Netherlands, India, South Africa, etc are nations of diverse customs, tribes and religions which fused together by common rules, basic vision and destiny to attain socio-economic and political el dorado. And they are better off in their respective unions today.

Ultimately, we're better off as Nigerians under a united, progressive and prosperous nation-Nigeria- but the structure of our country must be reviewed to enthrone true and fiscal federalism. Also, we have the vital urge to study, isolate and elevate those finest qualities which unites us while discarding those ones that divide us as a nation.

Together, we can make great impact and contributions to the world of dynamic progress as a nation. Don't you think so too?

http://skytrendnews.com/index.php/column/monday-column/3972-random-reflections-with-okafor-lessons-from-scotland