TODAY, power changes hands from President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, GEJ, of the PDP , to President Muhammadu Buhari ,MB, of the APC ,as he takes charge of the affairs in our blessed nation, Nigeria. APC becomes the ruling party, while PDP, if it survives the pains, and traumas of defeat, becomes the opposition.
jonathan-&-buhari-1However, should the PDP fail to become the opposition, as they appear headed to, by their internal wrangling, we will end up with an octopus APC as the ruling party, carrying with it, all the dangers that entrapped and pulled down the PDP, implying that we will be back to where we started. I pray this will not happen.
In any case, this is another special occasion. The expectations are as high as it was in 1999, when we had the first transition from Military dictatorial government to a democratically elected government. Many world leaders came to celebrate with us then, and many will also be with us for this one.
Two main reasons why this calls for special celebration, is that first, it exults the spirit of the dogged fighter, in MB, which confirmed that God willing, a man will get what he wants on this earth if he refuses to quit. MB, lost three different elections serially since 2003, before succeeding on this fourth attempt. He deserves to be celebrated.
Second, and perhaps more important is that we made it still together, in spite of predictions that Nigeria will break up after 2015.We became a pleasant surprise to them all. Nigerians in their peculiar ways applied themselves to the 2015 elections; The media, the professionals, the clerics, and the workers played their parts.
They wrote, talked, some abused, and insulted others, Priests, Pastors and Clerics prophesied in all manner of directions such that at the end, and before voting started, “the born to rule” and the “difficult to follow” realised that Nigeria is one hard bull to ride, if you ride roughly, this bull will throw you out! So we made it, from one democratic government to another, in Nigeria, in spite of the strong under-currents, and thus, deserve to be celebrated by the peace lovers of this world. Halleluya!!
As a build up to this hand over, Nigeria almost shut down as a result of fears by the major petroleum products marketers that the incoming APC government may not pay over N200 billion owed them as subsidy on petroleum products price. They in response, had to shut down supplies and nearly brought the economy to its knees but for the timely intervention of the distinguished Senators who assured them that their debt will be inherited, by the incoming administration. Democracy is sweet!
The election campaign lies that the Price of Petrol would be reduced to N40/litre by MB if elected, has just collapsed and now leaves us with the reality of the bizarre likelihood of subsidy removal, because the money we spend on subsidy for one year can build two refineries. What will be the likely reaction of the people to subsidy removal, and to President MB, who also promised to influence the international oil prices during campaigns?
Can Nigeria remove subsidy, or effectively tinker with reduction of petroleum pump price, without having six functional refineries, at the least, within the next four years? The Igbos and the Niger Deltans understandably, feel bad that events have turned out this way against them, because the one they looked up to, GEJ, has sacrificed their chance in order to avoid conflict in Nigeria.
Although GEJ has never claimed to be an Igbo man, and is indeed, not an Igbo man, but they tagged him as an Igbo man in order to push him out. The peace GEJ gave Nigeria is most appreciated especially by the Igbos, for obvious reasons. The reality these people must have to face however, is to accept their common fate, as the oppressed minority, in Nigerian politics, encourage themselves in the Lord, and turn their sadness into joy by building a common political plank or base that must have to be reckoned with in the nearest future.
Last Sunday, the Fulani Herds or tribes men, armed with AK 47 Rifles, killed over 100 persons in Benue State. This must be their own horrible way to welcome MB, who happens to be a Fulani man, to Aso Rock. To date, Fulani Herdsmen, have killed over 3000 persons, rendering them homeless from Platueu, Benue and Taraba States, etc.They spring upon their targets in their sleep in the midnight, killing them, and raiding their homes. Their targets are mostly, predominantly Christian and non-muslim settlements.
Some have reasoned that this is a deliberate religious cleansing effort within the middle belt as a grand plan towards pushing to the South East, and South South. It becomes a serious cause for concern, because it is rare to hear of Fulani Herds men attacks in any of the core northern states like Kaduna, Katsina, Bauchi, Sokoto etc.
When added to the rage of the run-away monster, called Boko Haram, which is terrorising sections of the north especially the north east, we arrive at another reality, that, blame who we may, the Core muslim north, must come together to agree on certain sections of the Qu’ran that should not be taught or that should be de-emphasised in teaching their youth to reduce the growing incidence of violence by muslim youth in the north of Nigeria.
This has to be done to kill or temper the idea, that there is a big link between Islam and violence. President MB, in his spare time should read the Holy Bible, in order to be able to moderate the thought patterns of the Christian and the Muslim in the interest of peace in Nigeria.
Power and Electricity generation has gulped billions of Naira to no avail, and one fact facing President MB, is that most of the so called DISCOS are cover up investments of some corrupt governors. A simple peep will shock him. The reality is that corruption cuts across the two political parties. It will fight back, and may fight dirty.
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