This is, indeed, not the best of times for Nigeria and South Africa, two African countries that have maintained bilateral and brotherly relations for decades. Apart from being in the forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle, Nigeria was among those African countries that helped immensely in bringing down racist and white minority rule in South Africa. The late South African President, Nelson Madiba Mandela, publicly acknowledged it before his death. Upon their independence, Nigeria has had cordial relationship with South Africa with some occasional squabbles like xenophobia and the like. Despite such xenophobic hiccups, there is no love lost between the two friendly African countries that enjoy diplomatic, business and educational relationships. The two countries hold the economic hub in the continent.
But the two recent botched arms deal between the Nigerian government and some firms in South Africa and the furore they generated have shown that there are strains in the relationship between the otherwise two friendly African countries. Apart from the fact that most of the victims that died in the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building collapse incident at Ikotu, Lagos, were nationals of South Africa, there is nothing to suggest that the two African countries have unsettled issues at diplomatic level before the arms deal. Besides the South African angle to the arms importation saga, the attempt by the Nigerian government to procure arms from South Africa in its ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East region has also been unduly politicized locally by two leading political parties in the country, the ruling PDP and the opposition APC. Their differing positions on the arms deal can understandably be seen as politics, especially with the 2015 general polls fast approaching.
But such unnecessary politicization of the arms deal, if not well handled, may constitute a clog in the prosecution of the ongoing war against terrorism in the country. It is important at this juncture to let Nigerian politicians understand that they can only ply their trade in a peaceful atmosphere. They should respond to urgent national issues, such as the arms deal, from the angle of patriotism and not bi-partisanship. The issue of the arms deal gone awry following the seizure of the money involved by South African authorities should be seen as a serious national embarrassment that should be thoroughly investigated. It is a serious security issue that should not be politicized. Why Nigerians are free to raise issues over the arms deal, they should also be willing to hear the other side of the story.
Although the South African government is reportedly acting on the fact that carrying undeclared $9.3 million in a jet to their country contravenes their financial law, how does the second $5.7 million arms money that reportedly passed through the banks constitute a problem again? This is the issue that should worry our compatriots and not who owns a chartered plane that was on lease in the case of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), whose jet was unfortunately used by those that went for the first arms deal. The way and manner some Nigerians derided Oritsejafor without listening to his side of the story is condemnable. Somebody of his standing should not be treated like that.
Even when he explained that the plane which was his was leased, some people still expect him to know what those that hire the plane use it for, the occupants and their wares. But those conversant with aviation business should understand that the owner of a plane does not know who travels with his plane or what he has in his luggage. But in Nigeria, they want to hold Oritsejafor responsible for what he did not reportedly know. By the way, why is it that of all the private jets available for hire, it is that of Oritsejafor that those going for arms deal should hire? Is this a mere coincidence or an attempt to smear the character of the owner of the hired jet? These are questions that beg for answers.
Even when the federal government has said that the $9.3 million arms money belongs to her, some people are still raising dust. Similarly, the CAN has in a statement signed by its Vice president, Rev. Supo Ayokunle and General Secretary, Rev. (Dr) Musa Asake, affirmed, among others, that the said $9.3 million found on the said aircraft does not belong to the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and neither CAN President nor CAN as a body is involved in any legal or illegal form of arms procurement for any person or institution and for any reason whatsoever. CAN also averred that the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and all those who ought to know about the transaction should tell the world all they know about the circumstances surrounding the embarrassing incident. CAN notes that this war against Christians in Nigeria is being fought on many fronts and this unfortunate incident is another dimension in the assault against the body of Christ.
Assuming that Nigeria contravenes South African financial laws while trying to procure arms to fight terrorism, are there no other diplomatic ways of handling such matters than this global embarrassment? This kind of embarrassment is the least expected from the rainbow country in view of Nigeria’s commitment in their struggle for freedom. I think that Nigeria deserves a better treatment than this from South Africa. Is this the way South Africa wants to pay Nigeria for her frontline role in her independence struggle? This type of embarrassment is not good for both countries and robust African brotherhood and cooperation.
While the Nigerian government should put its arms procurement machinery in order to avoid this type of embarrassment again, I urge President Jacob Zuma and President Goodluck Jonathan to find amicable means of settling the rift between Johannesburg and Abuja forthwith over the arms deal. I tend to believe that what is happening between both countries is surely beyond the propriety or otherwise of the arms deal. There is a lot of politics in it. The matter may further degenerate if Nigeria retaliates by invoking the principles of reciprocity. Both leaders should spare the continent of such rambunctious relationship and handle this matter diplomatically.
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