Morals of the Coup in Madagascar
By MAJ-GEN TAJUDEEN OLANREWAJU RTD
Finally, of particular importance to us at De Renaissance Foundation, as we look forward to 2027 elections, let justice prevail in Lagos State and everywhere else.
The recent coup in Madagascar, which terminated the government of President Andry Rajoelina by a sudden popular revolution led by the Gen Z youth movement, is a lesson to everyone who cherishes good leadership and the essential ingredients of the democratic process.
READ ALSO: Madagascar military says it seizes power, suspends institutions
Rajoelina who has now scurried to the safe haven of France was first elected with wide embrace in 2009 at the age of 34. He gave the impression of a forward looking, progressive young man willing to advance the cause of democracy and enhance the democratic growth of the island nation southeast of the mainland of the African continent.
But soon enough, the baby face, seemingly progressive young man descended into the rule of nepotism and government of cronyism as he surrounded himself with time-servers and yes-men who distorted his vision and shattered the dream of a people. This alas is the typical African disease afflicting our leaders. Once in power they become gods.
The thousands of young people who swept across the streets of the capital Antananarivo complained of chronic poverty , corruption, epileptic power supply, lack of water and a selfish government without purpose.
At the last count 22 people are dead and hundreds inflicted with various injuries in the two weeks popular uprising which was later supported by an elite military force led by Colonel Michael Radriranirina who has now taken up the leadership of the nation.
The moral in the ouster of Rajoelina resides in the fact no single power or a group of people are supreme to the will of the people.
Leadership can dribble, maneuver in a thousand deceits, bribe and corrupt every organ of the state and perceives itself immune to power change. It is self delusion.
The only recipe to longevity of power is through selflessness, genuine commitment to the progress of the society and an inherent admission that no one can cure all the ills of the society. There must always be renewal and change. General Cincinnatus proved this in Ancient Rome when he personally relinquished power and went back to his farm. More than two thousand years later General George Washington equally lay the foundation of the American Republic when he left the presidency after two terms before the 25th amendment which now placed restriction of two terms on every President. Despite desperate persuasion by some people that Washington should continue to serve, he rejected the offer and pointedly said that there are more qualified and capable people to steer the rudder of the state.
The good leader must know when to quit and yield power to a new generation. Leadership is about service and total commitment to the well being of the people.
It is never about the delusional know all syndrome, imposing personal whims upon the nation, believing that there is only one truth, believing that there is only vision to guide the country. No.
That will be the beginning of self-destruction. The good leader must appreciate that the most critical ingredient of democracy is the instinctive willingness to accommodate other people’s opinions, to encourage plural contributions and even cultivate the voices of the opposition. It is in this liberal progressive leaning that a good leader strengthens the renewal and democratic continuity of the state.
But when delusional leaders listen only to the echo chamber of their own voice and the benighted nudging of perennial opportunists making him believe that without him the society will crumble , alas, that leader is definitely beckoning his own ruin like Rajoelina of Madagascar who in his solitary reflection will regret and mourn his own self inflicted personal tragedy. It’s a moral other leaders can still learn from amid the sufferings , the penury, the widening abandonment in their country. It is not too late to reverse course from the edge of destruction.
Finally, of particular importance to us at De Renaissance Foundation, as we look forward to 2027 elections, let justice prevail in Lagos State and everywhere else.
*General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd, (ndc), Former GOC Third Armored Division Nigerian Army, Former Minister of Communications, Alternate Chairman of De Ranaissance Foundation.
