BY AYOBROWN ADETUNJI
When the just is treated unjustly for several years and eventually given what is rightfully his rights, in spite of years of sufferings and denials, if you ask for the victim’s mood, his response and answer will not be anything else, but that of joy and jubilation.
This can best describe the mood of democracy-loving Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and most especially, south-western Nigerians from where the June 12 Winner of 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola popularly called MKO hailed.
It is not surprising, considering roles the late business tycoon, Abiola, played in the attainment of democracy in Nigeria…he paid the supreme price but was for long denied the presidency for which majority of Nigerians casted their votes for him, an election which was classified as the fairest, and freest on the African soil.
The June 12, 1993 presidential election was suppose to have terminated several years of military rule in Nigeria and ushered in democracy but for the annulment by the then military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, who maradonally threw the election results into the bins. The struggle for the attainment of this well celebrated mandate consumed the life of both MKO and his wife, Kudirat.
A few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the declaration of June 12 as the new official Democracy Day, alongside a post humous award of GCFR on MKO. Majority of the people were overwhelmed with joy and appreciative of the President’s decision, this made his admirers and even his critics to applaud and give him a positive nod.
But ask any liberal minded Nigerian, he will tell you, Buhari knows how to work on the sentiment of Nigerians within the political terrain especially at this time, but he needs to be better aligned to know where the shoes pinch Nigerians.
Yes, on the conferment of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, GCFR, on Abiola, GCON on Gani Fawehinmi, my take is that is is a welcome decision as well as the declaration of June 12 of every year as our new Democracy Day, and many more; they are all good decisions if you ask me…but what happens to other matters that are suppose to unite this entity call Nigeria? The likes of unnecessary increment of pump price of petroleum products, e.g. petrol and kerosene; even when the dollar per crude in the international market is on the low side of the price lists. Irregular electricity supply and the biggest of them all, insecurity, hinged on the ways and manner tension are being spread across the political sphere as build up towards the 2019 general elections.
Let’s do some political analyses and ask ourselves some pertinent questions; who are the Buharist Nigerians and who are not? How they came to be and why are they at any cost supporting the 2nd term bid despite the red lights signal? Statistically, has the APC-led Buhari government performed credibly well to warrant his second coming, even when the APC house is encumbered with dissenting views, weighing opinions that manifested in the just concluded state primaries of the party, which went ‘double double’ (if you permit me)?
First, the anti-Buharis know themselves, but the pro-Buharis do not. So, who are the pro-Buharis? Some believe that if anyone is liberal-minded, he may be labelled pro-Buhari. For the group of people who want to take over their respective states by any means possibly believing that Buhari’s federal might will be in their favour and ready to wrestle power from the godfathers of their respective states…these are the Buharists; while any group that does not belong to the afore mentioned are the anti-Buharists. Geographically, they are scattered all over Nigeria. It is a known fact that people would be aggrieved before and after any party’s selection or election based on diverse interest, but if the national body is really in-charge of the party, no qualms, amicable settlement will be reached will little efforts…but can we say the same for Buhari-led APC government of today? If you ask me, the answer is no! Another minus!
Even with the ‘dead on arrival’ campaign despite the vehement supports by Buharists, in spite of all the red lights from all angles and corners…political analysts called the action ‘desperation of the highest order’…another minus, if you ask good loving Nigerians.
Now, the statistics available today, when you juxtapose numbers of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria internationally… it shows clearly that Buhari has made for himself and the party more enemies than friends…a minus because democracy is about numbers.
And the last but not the least, the Buhari government cannot be said to have performed credibly well to warrant its second coming, when the APC house is ridden with dissenting views, opinions that had manifested in the just concluded states primaries of the party across the country, which went ‘double double’ (as stated earlier) is a pointer.
But before the 2014 presidential elections, the average Nigerian sees Muhamadu Buhari as the only messiah to rescue them from Goodluck Jonathan’s PDP government and lead them to their promised land. But today, with the recent level of poverty shinning on the faces of Nigerians, unwarranted and senseless killings in Taraba, Benue, Zamfara and Kaduna to add to the unabated Boko Haram menace in north east inherited from previous regime, it is obvious that this government does not know its onions nor the executives up to the task of defending the entity called Nigeria.
Instead, the government has saddle itself with the ‘bring down at all/any cost’ campaign against perceived political enemies, alien to our democracy prior this government…If you ask me, it is a BIG minus for Buhari’s APC government.
Obviously, Nigerians are asking what if Bukola Saraki did not emerge as President of the Nigeria Senate, would the relationship between him and President Buhari have been good? Or if Saraki did not eventually show any interest in the 2019 Presidential seat, will Buhari love him more….will Buhari’s promoters do less instead of these politics of ‘do-or-die’ meant to bring all political opponents down?
Everyone with objective and discerning minds in their responses to the latest Offa banks robbery saga had sang same tune in agreement with the fact that the person of Bukola Saraki can neither be a supporter, or partaker or sponsor of the robbery attack, why then is the Nigerian Police persecuting yet to be condemned innocent man?
Just like any victim of circumstances, Saraki empowered many people and some groups of youths that decided to use the empowerment wrongly…then what is Bukola Saraki’s fault? No one is saying he must not be asked questions if necessary, but the high-handedness of our security chiefs and agents in going about their duties is rather surprising… this would have been another plus to the Buhari-led Federal Government of Nigeria if Bukola is left alone or not condemned in the media before investigations are carried out…after all, only the Almighty God knows and will give us who will be our next president, if a change is indeed a necessity.
Both Saraki’s admirers and critics all agreed to the fact that Saraki’s ambition shouldn’t be a threat to Burahi or any of his canvassers. The Ilorin born Senate President should be left alone, since every Nigerian has the right to vote and be voted for in consonance with the Nigeria constitution.
Looking at the likes of Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and others who have in one way or the other directly or indirectly benefited from Saraki’s large heart, with little or no impact on the lives of Kwarans, but are fighting dirty for the control of the state is one way to see it. Buhari must come and feed Kwarans (if food is what is needed), that is when we know that he is ready to defeat Saraki in the state, come 2019.
The alleged withdrawal of police and State Security Service escorts and details from both Saraki and Yakubu Dogara is unthinkable, ill conceived and another ill bedevilling our polity at this time. Before, it was Saraki that was the devil, now there is an addition, Yakubu Dogara and to make matter worse, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was added to the list. Only God knows who is next, I may also be added to the list (…but God forbids, after all who knows me?).
A piece of advice for the APC led Federal Government; Buhari’s canvassers should not forget who they are, because the rest of the world will never. The President and his allies should look and act on these areas if indeed another term is a necessity for them and that is if Buhari is really ready to take all Nigerians along the political journey to the promised land come 2019.
Ayobrown, is Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via aayobrown@gmail.com
