Since 2001 Nigeria has come under severe criticism notably from the United States of America over its capacity and ability to withstand the forces that are emerging to disintegrate it. Every aspect of her national institutions have not been spared in an overwhelming media blitz that stops short of declaring the nation as stepping right into a state of absolute failure. The power sector as agreeably poor as it has been was maligned even by local and foreign interest groups that are directly the cause of its problems. Its politics was bemoaned even by those who held the highest levels of public service yet failed to honour God-given responsibilities. Its sports was extensively analyzed and dismembered even by those who feigned sickness and dodged national service when they were dearly needed. Its technology was castigated even by those who failed to make personal sacrifices and return home to make their contributions. Generally, the great country Nigeria was maligned by the very forces that almost put it to shame.

When the President left the shores of the country, hardly anyone actually knew that he would be gone for this long. The usual public reactions had trailed his departure but if anyone suspected he would be away for this long, am sure no one would have expected the relative political survival being witnessed by the country today. Some people talk about governance being impaired. Well, even rains, snows and famines impair governance. Don’t get me wrong, the absence of a President sure has serious drawbacks however the interest here is the ability that the country has shown so far in sustaining a level of political stability, which has baffled an honest many.

It is doubtful how many African countries that could withstand recent political challenges and remain intact. Even western countries cannot wait to hear about destabilization, which would make their Intelligence services to look real good before. However, Nigeria seems to be saying, “yea I do have problems but I remain strong”. The rancor in the National Assembly is remarkably minimal when we remember that in some recent years past, elderly men had thrown chairs at each other over matters pertaining to stipends.

All that seems to have changed. No doubt, the policy is heated but then, so was Bill Clinton’s era when he should have known better than to inspect the colours Monica Lewinsky’s lingerie. Ken Starr went no little ends, striking various moral grounds to malign one of the best Presidents US ever heard but the American people said, “no dice”. Ken Starr was right, Bill Clinton was wrong but the American were neither right nor wrong. They were simply – sympathetic! The US polity was heated up beyond contemporary precedence but the American system withstood right or wrong in favour of the human and national interest.

The Nigerian people seems to be stating in similar fashion that the current state of the country is not about right or wrong but about humanity and nationhood. In this regard, various institutions have stood out for commendation especially the Nigerian military. Mischievous persons and groups within and outside the country has apparently tried to inspire them towards dangerous options but they have stood solid in a clarion salute to democracy. To this, we say SALUTE! The current heat may not abate drastically but one thing enemies of this nation should be sure of is that, the grounds of political nationhood may vibrate and reverberate but the angles of its strength shall not quaver. Whichever the direction its political fortunes might take, its pillars of greatness will continue to stand strong and erect.

For those who cannot wait for the news that questions the name of Nigeria, know that enough is enough for hither we stand and thither we go not for destructions they have set on our tracks.