₦airaland Forum

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.


I read MLK's quote above repeatedly before choosing to induct it into this very piece which prompted by those who have had mixed feelings about the forthcoming protest which might determine the way forward at the long run.

[b]IS THIS REALLY THE RIGHT TIME TO PROTEST?
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 ).

In the wake of 2012, most Lagosians took to the Gani Fawehinmi Park, aka Freedom Park to protest the mishap and insensitivity exhibited by the then President, Goodluck Jonathan of the dying PDP. The protest introduced the presence politicians and top Nigerian entertainment powerhouses at the park. Pastor Tunde Bakare was not left out of the protest-turned carnival which saw him rain curses on Jonathan. I was equally present at the park as it was just a distance away from my house. It was a sight seeing Tunde Bakare pleading migraine on Goodluck Jonathan just as Elijah did on the sons of the prophets in the Bible.

It did not take long for us to forget why we went there in the first place as musicians entertained the angry crowd who almost grinded Lagos to halt. Jonathan, on the other hand hand, became scared the protest might take a different turn and soldiers were deployed around the Ketu-Ojota axis to prevent people from their early morning entertainment in the guise of a protest. And the brain behind the protest then? Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not grace the venue like we did but his TVC went live with the broadcast night and day while the prime time news was dedicated to a repeat of the event which went down during the day.

Well, the PDP had been in power long enough, yet she showed no signs of making the lives of Nigerians better. Rather, Nigerians became fed up of the impunity of a weak president who had 'other female presidents', according to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo. He was right though, Nigerians were tired and then came a serial loser who promised 'Change', with the promise of increasing the living conditions of Nigerians. The promises were too good to ignore this time; Asiwaju indeed perfected the art on this one as the social media the PDP embraced to run a government of propaganda became the saving grace for the APC whom Nigerians believed in.

IN WHICH AREAS DID THE APC AND BUHARI FAIL?

1. On Insurgency: Though the President promised to 'wipe out' Boko Haram, while using the Maitatsine of the 1980 event as its proven record against insurgency. The Presidency and the APC has successfully tamed the Boko Haram to the barest minimum, but has failed woefully to curb insurgency. Fulani Herdsmen have been on rampage more than ever since this administration was sworn in, and it is not only shocking to know that the President is unmoved by their acts, but also jaw dropping, to see the APC and the President turn a blind eye to their activities. We were promised otherwise.

2. On Corruption: Last year, former British Prime Minister was recorded to be telling the Queen of England that Nigerian politicians are fantastically corrupt. Interestingly, the President agreed with him, despite the many controversies trailing his family. More importantly, the anti-corruption campaign was what the President rode on like an eagle, which caused almost every part of the country to deliver their vote to him, hoping he could reveal the rot in the government. Unfortunately, corrupt and controversial practices within the government have been overlooked, with little or no effort at correcting them. Ironically, the president spent almost a year without ministers just because he was looking for angels to govern with him. His angels have never been devoid of controversies, even till date.

3. On Power: I could remember the campaign promises of the APC, particularly on power. I can't remember the last time I saw an EEDC power hanging from my bulbs for over two weeks now. I spend heavily on fuel just because I can't stand heat much. Power has been far worse than Buhari inherited it.

4. On Security of Lives and Properties: I chose not to lump this with that of insurgency even if they mean one and the same thing. I must also not that Nigerians have never been threatened by a group of people and the presidency/government of the day would turn a blind eye. Raging herdsmen destroy properties numbering in their millions without recourse. Should you voice out, you become a specimen for the papers/media at dawn. Ekiti, Enugu, Benue, Ondo, Lagos, Anambra, Imo, PH, Jos, etc., we have never been insecure in our lives, yet, we have a president who rode on this to win an election.

Need I mention cost of living, the ever falling Naira against the Dollar, the height of rot and corruption within the CBN who trade the Dollar to some selected few for N23, while Forex is not made available to those who need them the most? How about ethnic chauvinism, tribal and religious sentiments, coupled with the readily available intimidation of security agencies should anyone speak up? We voted this government and it is surprising to see that it has not fulfilled 5% of its campaign promises. Let's all have an open mind towards this and genuienly ask ourselves whether or not we should stage a protest, sponsored by this horrible government or not.

On my part, should anyone ask me if Nigerians and well meaning citizens should protest come Monday, February 6th, 2017, my answer would be YES! IT IS LONG OVERDUE

Sanchez01

Ask urself

dabrightt:
Ask urself

You should have moved along rather comment without reading a line. It wouldn't kill you if you did.


Mynd44
Lalasticlala

Sanchez01:
You should have moved along rather comment without reading a line. It wouldn't kill you if you did.


Mynd44
Lalasticlala

I read everything this is just a personal decision so you should ask urself mature people have enough reason within themself before they do anything..have u ask ur family are they protesting

#ISTANDWITH2BABA.