Every writer tends to answer a question but in most cases the answers are beyond the comprehension of the writer. A good example is the popular book, “Things Fall Apart” written by late Prof. In an attempt to explain the purpose or the meaning of the book to an audience, Prof. My good friend while listening to some of Achebe’s explanations vehemently disagreed with him. At that point, it dawned on
me that the book was beyond the writer. He Achebe, was just the vehicle for the book - this does not in anyway, take away the literally genius of Achebe. But the book has become a living voice talking to every reader in a language he or she can understand. I will not try to give an all encompassing definition to what The African Opinion means, because any attempt at doing so will prove futile. However, a true and complete definition of The African Opinion would be incomplete except yours is heard. In my desperation to write this note as a publisher, a comment on one of my posts about why each of my posts or comments has to do with politics readily occurred to my mind. I had not given it a serious thought until then. I was only excited to have a platform to voice my OPINION or the opinion and thoughts of others that I concur or disagree with. Introspectively, I realised that every positive or negative change that has affected the human race is a direct result of the instrument of change making their OPINION known. That comment on my post prompted my writing this piece. If for instance Gandhi’s OPINION was not known about the plight of his people then …, If Nelson Mandela was silent about his OPINION on apartheid then …, Boro was not silent either on the political, environmental injustice on the Ijaws, nor the Baptist preacher Martin Luther King. History has recorded numerous cases of deaths resulting from desperation to express opinion. The likes of Dele Giwa paid with his life, renowned journalists Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson were jailed. Also, Mohamed Bouazizi a young Tunisian trader who set himself ablaze with an inflammable liquid in front of a government office to protest the pain and untold suffering which the government of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s had caused him and the people of Tunisia, are only but a few. Bouazizi was picked on for years by policemen, his produce and cart were seized; he was slapped and humiliated by Fedya Hamdi a female police officer and could not seek redress. For years he did not voice his opinion until that faithful day when he set himself ablaze.
“Tunisia today has been transformed from a showcase for Arab autocracy into an electoral democracy whose leaders have pledged themselves to moderation, civil liberties, and the rule of law” according to Arch Puddington, published by Freedom in the House. Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to air your OPINION. Before now, the fear of the African has been the white colonial masters who made us lose our self-esteem through fear and intimidation and ripped us of our lands and resources, pitting our brothers and sisters against each other at gun point. We were never allowed to express our OPINION. Africa is now free from colonial rule but most of our politicians are products of the colonial master who introduced them to the present-day democracy, the type which is impracticable in the US or UK or other developed countries. The one I call “autocratic democracy”. A system of government whereby few through the power of the state loots the state treasury, or the executive branch influencing legislative action even to the point of removing an elected officer like the suspension of eleven elected local government chairmen for the refusal to attend the governor’s meeting in Rivers State. One where it is regarded as a grave offence to question the status quo. I do not encourage anyone to commit su***de or murder, but I also know that your OPINION is absolutely important – either good or bad, let it be known. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men TO DO NOTHING.” – Edmund Burke. The African Opinion hopes that you will not become reclusive but participate in bringing about the positive change that we so need. The African Opinion remains a veritable platform that will give your story, the news, and your opinion a voice to be heard.
