₦airaland Forum

Sunday 1st ushered in the much awaited February; my excitement knew no bounds but by the evening of the same day, it was filled with great concern; nay, trepidation for my great country, Nigeria: what if the change we are expecting did not come after all? The more I tried to dismiss this, the less effective my efforts or gestures were towards reassurance. As a matter of fact, the recent happenings signposted by the purported leaked video of how election in Ekiti was rigged in favor of the new governor and the skirmishes of the ruling party which culminated to the shifting of the election by 6weeks have indeed laid credence to my silent fears that the road to freedom is still farther than we think.

It may be necessary to clarify this: I am not a card carrying member of any political party and as a matter of fact, I may be voting for different parties for different posts in weeks to come. The reason is not far-fetched: the ideologies of the leading political parties appear as different sides of the same coin-cut and paste with some modifications here and there. In the disappearing act, I hereby choose personalities over parties and that is the way it is going to be for me.

Talking of personalities, the person of the president leaves much to be desire and more annoying are the set of people that hobnob with him and speak on his behalf. I will dedicate the rest of the article to pointing out the action unbecoming of the number one citizen of this great country filled with highly cerebral and industrious countrymen and countrywomen and these will be catalogued as they burn my heart.
When the country woke up to the grim news of the kidnap of the over 200 girls in Chibok, it took the president a whole two weeks to come to terms with the reality of the abduction: the ensuing action lacked substance and direction as well. It still beats common sense imagination that the heads of the armed forces are still in service and supervising the security of the country wherein they have failed woefully. The theatrical display of the President’s wife on the same matter became a comical relief to a bewildered nation. I will not delve into the overbearing act of the Wife of the president as we did not vote for her and does not have any constitutional right in this regard. That said, my grouse with president is that he fails to caution his wife and I won’t go further than that.

The manner in which the president handles corruption, his body language and utterances on the aforementioned has made us the laughing stock in the comity of nation. Little wonder, Michael Raleigh said; when talking about the massive corruption in Nigeria that ‘we might as well burn our aid fund’. Now, officials just loot the treasury blind without care as EFCC and ICPC have since become shadows of themselves. The president at different times has said that ‘he does not give a damn”, corruption isn’t our major problem and’ stealing is not corruption’ .These utterances indeed have shown a president without the political will to fight corruption. Allegation against corrupt officials e.g. the former aviation and present petroleum ministers were treated with kid’s gloves or out rightly dismissed as no case. It appears that the only reason you get punished is when you cry against it: the case of the former CBN governor readily comes to mind. Recall he was dismissed for having the effrontery to blow the whistle of missing 20billion dollars in NNPC. Just when I thought it could not be any worse; the president used his prerogatives of mercy to pardon Diepreye Alameisehgha, a former governor who was convicted and sentenced in UK for corruption and this was done because of the personal relationship between the two. I hear that this fellow is gunning for the senate. What a shame!
The amount of money expended in the power sector even after the purported unbundling of the inefficient PHCN without the corresponding leap in power supplies to the general public is another reason to demand for a change. We cannot continue in this mess. Truth is the present government was not responsible for the abyss we found ourselves but we cannot remain in this shadow of darkness with forlorn hope of an improved power supply. Where did all the billions go? Gen. Olusegun obasanjo will have to explain part of this. Well, I still don’t get why the privatized ‘Phcn”’ is still being funded by the government.

The insensitivity of the Jonathan’s government is fast becoming a legend. The subsidy removal was done in most brazen way. Knowing full well that a lot of people were yet to return to their bases after the celebration of the yuletide season, the government went ahead to remove the subsidy on a Jan 1st leaving so many people stranded and temporarily dazed in its wake. A year or so ago, some graduates paid the ultimate price during poorly organized immigration entrance examination. Abba Moro, interior minister and the organizing head laid the blame solely on the dead and not minding that they were made to pay N1,000 each preparatory for registration. Isn’t this the height? Recently, 2,000+ people were reportedly killed in Baga, the government rather than issue a statement which was always the norm; played the ostrich, and sent a message to France who afterwards suffered a terror attack that left less than ten people dead. As a rider, the way that the government blames everything on politics and plays the opposition rather than the party in government indeed shows a government not in control. In another four years with this present government, we may become a banana republic. Yet, they are quick to receive praise when major feats are achieved howbeit, arrogantly. I listened to President Jonathan’s speech after we were certified free of Ebola. I could not but marvel how the government tried to score political cheap points without mentioning the real heroes and heroine-Dr. Stella Adadevoh and others who stood their ground and contained the deadly virus and in the process, paid the supreme price. Neither recognition nor an award was given for this bravery. This act ebbs out patriotism from the citizenry. I really stopped listening to the president afterwards.

Much has been said and seen on the economy; classically dissected by Professors Pat Utomi and Charles Soludo. Succinctly, the economy has been mismanaged and we are in a clear and present danger! At 210 to a dollar, one wonders what the executives are still doing with the presidential fleets and budgeting a billion naira for food in Aso rock. The much publicized progress in Agriculture appears to be only on paper as price of food still remains high.
In my opinion, the gains of this administration lie in road construction as the other gains in electioneering is going to be put to a litmus test in days to come. A good move recorded in the various empowerment programs for the youths will remain static in the view of the harsh economic climate.

For General Muhammadu Buhari, he seems to be the needed alternative. I have checked the records and listened to his speeches. Well, he has his shortcomings; every mortal has but it is a decision am willing to take and stand by it .So, come 28th of next month, it will be an honor to march with the people’s General : not only me but my family, my friends , people in my circle of influence and my ward. I am this committed to change.

Today, being the 14th of February, l wish you a peaceful Val.

Hmm

0700Jesse:
Shuu.,
who get time to read this long crap of rubbish?

GEJ till that mallamm completes secondary school

And also use his cows for suya

So you want to vote for BOOhaRID ? So You are a clown..by this even when I see you change your mind to vote for GEJ I will stop you so you see we can be what we wanna be without you ppl (apc clowns)

That na your busness. Don't corrupt me.

At 210 to a dollar, one wonders what the executives are still doing with the presidential fleets and budgeting a billion naira for food in Aso rock. The much publicized progress in Agriculture appears to be only on paper as price of food still remains high. In my opinion, the gains of this administration lie in road construction as the other gains in electioneering is going to be put to a litmus test in days to come. A good move recorded in the various empowerment programs for the youths will remain static in the view of the harsh economic climate. For General Muhammadu Buhari, he seems to be the needed alternative. I have checked the records and listened to his speeches. Well, he has his shortcomings; every mortal has but it is a decision am willing to take and stand by it .So, come 28th of next month, it will be an honor to march with the people’s General : not only me but my family, my friends , people in my circle of influence and my ward. I am this committed to change.

Hope you have seen the change you seek?

ikennaf1:
Hope you have seen the change you seek?

not bad...i awaited more ofcourse..but still far better than jonathan....

bantudra:
not bad...i awaited more ofcourse..but still far better than jonathan....

Better? Do you have a "scale of preference" issue?