By Sylvester Asoya
For those who love autobiographies, STANDING STRONG: Legislative Reforms, Third Term and Other Issues of the 5th Senate is engaging and worthwhile. Apart from shedding some light on the author’s life, his personality and the special things that shaped his event-filled life, this new book is also another window into Nigeria’s political history especially with regard to reforms in the parliament. In this important autobiography, Ken Nnamani provides perspectives on other issues like the loss of Bakassi Peninsula, the struggle for Freedom of Information Act, the overbearing influence of the executive on the legislature under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, federalism and separation of powers, the crisis of leadership, Africa’s poor understanding of democracy and a lot more.
Underlying most of the issues in this book, is the Third Term drama. As senate president and one of the principal characters in that ill-favoured story of tenure elongation, Nnamani captures almost everything: from the absurdities, the determination and the plotting behind the scenes to the energy, the viciousness and the witch-hunt from the executive, including influential members of the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
It is obvious from the sequence of this story’s events that this unusual former senate president understands history. He also appreciates the fact that a people’s true story is invaluable, both for the present generation and those unborn. So, he knows the damage falsehood can do to society if left unchecked. Therefore, this work is his eye witness account and contribution to the Third Term imbroglio and the misinformation therein. Although it is his personal story, this work is evidently an attempt at setting the records straight and reliving memories.
“I have decided to capture the events of the Third Term period and document it for posterity for a number of reasons. First, I think that it is important to give a true and accurate account of what transpired at the time in our history so that we may learn from the lessons they offer. Second, I believe it is important to call out the former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his constant denial of what was glaringly an attempt by him to elongate his stay in office, rather than watch from a distance and allow him to rewrite history to cover that blemish on his record. The former president continues to deny any involvement in that bid to procure for himself a Third Term, against the constitution which brought him into office, and which he swore to uphold. He has codified this untruth by publishing it in a book and this is dangerous for posterity. So, it is important to clear things up and call them what they are. Finally, a number of books have been written about this subject and this period in Nigerian history. But none has been exhaustively written from the legislative perspective. This is an attempt to do that”, he reveals.
The book opens with “In the Beginning” where Nnamani writes about his genealogy, his birth and early life. He recalls life in his immediate environment where plants and animals once lived harmoniously, side by side, like many African communities in the past. He also presents the serenity, friendship, cooperation and love that were prevalent at the time in his home state of Enugu.
But after his remarkable secondary education shortly after the Civil War, he proceeded to Ibadan Grammar School for his Higher School Certificate, HSC. Here at the capital of the old Western Region, a completely new and exciting world opened for the adventurous and young Nnamani who was in a hurry to conquer the world. Apart from knowledge which was his major reason for leaving home early for Ibadan, he also gained understanding and enduring relationships that still exist till today. Many years after leaving the Western Region as a prefect in his school, he continues to draw from that experience of Ibadan that came handy afterwards. That experience also became useful when he needed it the most as a legislator in managing different interests and tendencies as head of Nigeria’s parliament. But the author also brings the reader up-close with his life in America, the bastion of democracy, his travels and his exciting career as a top-flight marketing executive.
Even for a cursory reader, there is no dull moment as Nnamani brings to the fore, the politics of Enugu, his home state; his relationship and encounter with Chimaroke Nnamani, the iconoclastic former governor of the state and his unforgettable moments in Nigeria’s Red Chamber. The former senate president also writes about many other things, including power and how it corrupts. He warns of the consequences of lack of concern for the wishes of the electorate and provides lessons and insight on man’s morality and bearing in a country like Nigeria where politicians love to play god.
Clearly, Nnamani as a conscious and determined senate president, was single-minded in his resolve to make the legislature independent, progressive, innovative and respectable. “Our fight to clean up the Senate extended to our staff. We made it clear to everyone that there was a new Senate in place where corruption and exploitation of privileged positions for personal gain would no longer be tolerated. We were determined to walk our talk…I wanted to bequeath to Nigeria, a Senate we would be proud of. I wanted to lead the building of a strong foundation for responsible legislative traditions that would outlive me and the senators of my time; a foundation strong enough to hold the superstructure of an honourable, respectable, distinguished and effective National Assembly in democratic Nigeria”.
It is obvious, from recent events, that Nnamani will not recognize the National Assembly he worked so hard to preserve, make independent and assertive many years ago. Today, the Senate he left behind is not only sycophantic and colourless but always gleefully acting and announcing its subservience and readiness to be enslaved in a manner that is not only antithetical but also damaging to democratic principles. What a tragedy!
For working hard to be free from all traces of deceit, subservience, complacency and duplicity, Nnamani insists that he suffered gravely. He writes that he was under constant scrutiny and persecution by politicians, security men and other agents of state who regularly beamed their searchlight on him. But STANDING SRONG…is also an eye opener. An average reader with little or no interest in many of the duplicitous characters in Nigeria’s political arena is bound to experience some shock with Nnamani’s will power and pan-Nigerian tendencies especially as regards his exposure and education in different places. For instance, attending Higher School in the old Western Region, meeting and interacting with people in Ibadan before travelling to the United States, had a positive impact on his life and career both in the corporate world and politics.
In many ways, this is not just a book of politics but also of culture, development, survival, courage and determination. In STANDING STRONG…Nnamani addresses Nigeria’s flawed structure, her defective 1999 Constitution, the brazen exclusion of many people, especially the minorities in senior government positions and the glaring injustice that stinks everywhere. It is important to state that in this autobiography, the author shows patriotism and courage. He comes across with confidence and vigour, unlike some double-faced characters in Nigeria’s politics who pretend and mislead others for personal gains. Naturally, with this work, Nnamani steps on the toes of many important people without any care about the consequences whether in the short-run or long-run. And this is commendable.
This former Senate President also deserves commendation for documenting his experiences at that critical moment of Nigeria’s political history. He singles out for praise, the real heroes that saved Nigeria from a needless tenure elongation and also lampoons the pretenders outside the parliament who continue to lay claim to ending Third Term. Even for the apolitical masses and those who were too young to appreciate the high-wire politics at the dawn of this Republic, there are lessons; and this book provides insight on the widespread impunity during the Obasanjo presidency. In a curious way, STANDING STRONG… also reminds the reader of many absurdities of that era particularly the saga in Ekiti State during Ayo Fayose’s first tenure; the abduction of Chris Ngige, a sitting governor who suffered untold humiliation in the hands of his political god father who eventually removed him from office and more.
However, there is obviously no life without low points, but this writer cleverly avoided writing about his low moments for obvious reasons. Apart from his tempestuous encounter with Chimaroke Nnamani, his domineering former governor in a meeting where he almost lost his cool, this book denies readers the opportunity of meeting the real Ken when not at his best. This is a major challenge to autobiographical writings in this part of the world. And the earlier our important actors who wish to share their stories know this, the better. Again, there are clear instances of repetition and redundancy in this narrative. I suspect it may be the author’s style of conveying his thoughts for emphasis and clarity. All things considered, it is still a book of records.
In all, this life story by an important Nigerian, does Nigeria a world of good. To start with, it deflates the ego of many politicians and members of parliament, both former and serving, who were part of the ploy to throw Nigeria into a major constitutional crisis. Secondly, the book unveils the heroes and patriots who were the true representatives of their constituents and the Nigerian people. Part of what makes the book credible is courage, and it is remarkable how easily the author transcends fear. And he writes confidently about the absence of quality and stable people in government. For every concerned Nigerian, one of the most tragic parts is that some self-seeking politicians are still parading fake certificates, this is in addition to other incongruities like low entry qualification for public office holders and absence of deep engagement especially in the executive and legislative arms. But there is still hope for Nigeria and STANDING STRONG… preaches that.
It is a good book that should interest every Nigerian, no doubt.
• Asoya is a senior journalist and prolific art writer.