| 11 February 2011
Egypt has had a long history of despotism that dates back to the biblical days. The unfolding
events are quite reminiscent of the expression, 'let my people go'. The defiance of Mubarak can be likened to that of Pharaoh and I was almost certain that Mubarak would not relinquish power just as Pharaoh never 'let my people go' until series of calamities that befell him forced him to let go.
The honour of a General is to know when it is right to retreat or when to advance at war. But Pharaoh never yielded the call for peace until he was forcefully made to comply. Saddam Hussein in Iraq was dethroned while Sanni Abacha in Nigeria died in his box of tyranny.
These Despots seem to have sworn an oath of allegiance to a certain dark cult so much so that even at their point of death, they still hold tenaciously on the grip of power. Nay, they can't be aware there's any point of death as they seem to have this delusion of immortality. Even in death, Abacha would still believe he would rule Nigeria forever.
There is some honour in defeat. If Hosni Mubarak could learn a lesson from Ibrahim Babangida, he would understand that 'stepping aside' would be honourable as a soldier who runs away so he can live to fight another day. Even though IBB made a rubbish of himself by attempting to come back and 'fight another day', he still has his life intact and he can even come back and contest as the octogenerian president of the federal republic of Nigeria, probably in the year 2055, sic.
As I watched the twist and turns of the events with the whole world, I knew somehow that this man would not bow for defeat. And the Egyptians will not succumb either. The power this time, is not in the hands of the international community but in the hands of the people.
It's high time leaders, nay, rulers the world over, undestand that the voice of the people can sometimes echoe the voice of God.
The revolutionary wind of change is blowing all across the world now - from Tunisia through Egypt; and this is the time for dictators to come off their high horses because the wishes of the people will certainly prevail. Those who make peaceful change impossible are the very ones that make violent change inevitable. When you chase a goat to the wall, he turns back and fights you back. The people of Egypt, Tunisia and of African and European countries are being pushed to the wall. What about Asia and America? In fact, people are being pushed to the walls now.
The world is yearning for credible leadership now. The power of the people cannot be overlooked. The era of perceived dictatorial invincibility seems to have been gradually disappearing from the face of the earth. This the time for leaders and politicians to watch and make their policies people-oriented. Political power belongs to the people. This is the new world order.
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