The Nigerian Flag that failed
Unlike other relics that lost their power from exposure to mere mortals, this two-coloured relic was rumoured to hold in its threads, the power of invincibility that absolved every intent of violence.
A message circulated across the social media platforms earlier this week, the content was about a relic that could keep the peaceful protesters safe.
It was supposed to be the superpower that kept protesters safe from any form of violence from the government.
People rejoiced, and just like we did with salt during Ebola and Chloroquine at the peak of COVID-19, people rushed to share the tweet; it went viral!
People rushed to put out contracts for the acquisition of this powerful relic, and many of the peaceful protesters got adorned in it. Some even used it as a cape. After all, it was supposed to have superpowers, right? Others wrapped it on their bodies, maintaining the one rule - It must be visible.
Unlike other relics that have lost their power from exposure to mere mortals, this two-coloured relic was rumoured to hold in its threads, the power of invincibility that absolved every intent of violence.
So, the people took it everywhere they marched, from the streets of Lagos to beneath the bridges of Abuja, down to the hilltops of Enugu and the roundabouts of Kaduna. They raised it high as they demanded justice, using the relic as a shield for when the night fell and presenting it high at the break of dawn to signify undying hope.
It was a strange relationship between the relics and the owners, they fought for what the flag stood for and in turn, held the relic for protection - the only weapons allowed in the peaceful protests.
No one can confirm at what exact point it began to happen, but the white lost its superpower - The universal code for declaration of peace.
The peaceful protesters wondered what went wrong as their ‘powerful’ flag became a violence aphrodisiac; calling on the gunmen to be more brutal than before. They watched in denial as to their brothers- with-the-arms, charged through the relic, fist to the jaw, gun butt to the ribs.
Still in shock, they turned to the relic for protection, chanting the old sages chant:
NI-GE-RIA
But their mother tongue failed them. So, they changed strategy, putting their faith in the green of the relic.
Using the edges of green this time, they took it on as a flexible shield to their bodies, hoping that this green-white-green flag will keep them safe in their Fatherland, for what greater significance is a relic, than in its land of origin? And if their mother tongue failed, should the hope in their Fatherland fail them too?
They held on even more tightly to the flag, hoping, somehow, it would shield them against the brutality targeted at them by their brothers-with-the-arms.
An understandable mindset considering that the relic, the green white green flag, told their collective story, it represented the team they both belonged to. The group they all pledged diligence to;
... To serve with heart and might, to build a nation where peace and justice reigns.
Ruins, it quickly became, this green, white green flag that stood between brothers, on one side with arms, and on the other side - the protesters with heart, holding up the relic as a defence, a reminder of the team they represented.
But, it was only short lived; the die minute.Â
The boots connected one last time to their jugular, through the green of the Green-white-Green, and their eyes, just before losing sight, saw what remained of the relic:
blood, in place of the white, and the greens, an ashy hue.
A sea of Green-White-Greens lay on the untarred road stripped of its defenders and its wards, while a perfect replica, firm on the badge of the brothers-with-the-arms, constrained and unable to flap freely in the wind nor protect the ones that fought for it, stared on, recording yet another fail.