By; AUWAL AHMED IBRAHIM GORONYO
I was discussing the problem of power outage with a friend due to National Union Of Electricity Employees (NUEE) nationwide strike, staged on the 17th of August, 2022.
My friend was very worried on the condition of Nigeria. He told me that he was not happy as a Nigerian about what became of the promises of President Muhammadu Buhari before he was voted for the “national throne”.
He lamented the hardship that is becoming unbearable on Nigerians. Indeed, when I listened to him with the feelings of empathy and nationalism about something that affects us, I realised that there are words of truth and wisdom in his remarks.
My concerns about his remarks is, he has no love for the country and cannot further make sacrifices of voting any person in the position of leadership again. He even, told me that leaders were only out to get electorate use their voter’s card to put them on the throne of power. Angrily, he said, ” I burnt my voters’ card.”
Though, I tried to convince him to realize the importance of exercising his civic role as a citizen of the country, he continued to nag and ponder further. He told me that many Nigerians cannot waste their time again to queue to vote leaders because to him, those that registered for the voters’ cards did it for other purposes.
In our debate of propositions and oppositions, I realised how hike in diesel, fuel and electricity keep fluctuating, with goods and services skyrocketing, with one good example from him, I became convinced that President Muhammad Buhari has no excuse for all the hardship and insecurity pervading the country because he swore to the progress of Nigeria.
My friend who is a truck-driver pointed out that his business is crumbling because of the hike in diesel. He said many truck owners decided to keep aside their vehicles because passengers and customers are finding it difficult to pay for their charges.
He told me that President Muhammadu Buhari who promised to reduce the prizes of diesel and petrol before his election, now as the President and the Minister of Petroleum, approved the prizes skyrocketing beyond the common man.
He pointed out that the price of diesel was N120 before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, but now under his watch, the prize of diesel per litter is more than N1,000, adding, “that is what will happen to fuel for privatizing NNPC.”
However, he said, food prizes are also in the price hike race because of privatization of the NNPC. He paused a little, looked at me in the eyes and asked me rhetorical questions.
“Upon all what I was promised to get but received the opposite, do you want me to invite another pain for my self?” He then gave himself a desirable answer that suited his comfortability. “I rather not waste my time, energy and resources to get what God ordained for me, and I will not blame anyone for the mess.”
But, I quickly interjected his words, ” God never invokes hardship on his people, unless He wants to test them and indeed, Nigerians are tested for their patience and if you believe in this, why not do the right thing?” I asked..
As if I asked him to tell me the history of 2015 general election celebration, he began to narrate the ordeal and asked me many questions that I would only lie in providing answers.
“Have you forgotten how people rallied for the campaign and victory of President Muhammadu Buhari? You and I went to Murtala Square and before our eyes, cars damaged, people killed and many got fractured, but what did the joy and the rapture of the people yield for our dear nation? Many of those people are now regretting their actions. Are you telling me you forgot all those horrible affairs in the name of celebration? You, I and many of our friends contributed money for the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari but what reward did all of us get? But I can say you have been elevated from state level to Federal Government level in your civil service career, but ASUU and ASUP constant strikes are indication that things are not going well for academic staff of this country”.
I looked at him in the eyes motionless, because I can categorically state that education is another quagmire of discussion but refused to open up my pains.
I needed no more clarifications because I was also mad with joy on the announcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory because I thought the messiah had arrived to turn Nigeria to London.
I had already been convinced that many people that didn’t know the exact things happening at the bottom of Nigeria will have no excuse for their leaders. They will think they were deceived by political words, but on issues that deal with politics, I always want to be a optimistic, because I have a big dream for this country.
Though, I believed we are getting what we didn’t pray for, voted and agreed on, but sometimes a destiny comes in different ways and people never tend to appreciate a destiny in the negative form, most especially Nigerians.
Sometimes, I have the perception that our problems became cumulative from the contributions of “we” the masses and the leaders on another part. From the masses; we need to have trust on our leaders, pray for them, convince them, advise them and also criticize them when they fail to do the right thing; for criticism is a fundamental pillar of constructive governance. Constructive criticism makes the leaders to understand where they err, take measures and provide solutions.
And on the side of the leaders, it is said that there is no wicked leader, but bad advisers. Our African leaders are carried away by praise singers because of the sugar coating in their sweet words, they trust them to the extent that they allow everything to the them. Again, god-fatherism is another termite in Nigeria’s leadership and many Nigerians blame the failure of President Buhari’s government on other people.
On this perception, my friend asked again, “if we can blame other officers for failure in their respective positions, then who should we blame for fuel and diesel price crisis?” Remember, Buhari promised to protect the lives of Nigerians, facilitate better lives for them and he should fulfill that, even if it will cost him to cut politicians to size by trimming salaries and bogus allowances.”
With that proposition, I came to realise that there is lacuna somewhere in Buhari’s administration because it is too late to cry when the head is cut off. At this time, Nigeria is not in the heart of many Nigerians and President Muhammad Buhari is blamed for that. Maybe it is the reason why there is high number of people leaving the country to others, as observed.
Before, Nigerians had good dream for the country and they hoped only on one person to put back the crumbling blocks of the country, but everything has spoilt because President Muhammadu Buhari has few months to go, but, still, there is room for amendment.
People can appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari if he can verify all the funds spent on security and investigate the progressive achievements, check all giant contracts given and verify the state of work. Not only to ban the importation of rice and some food ingredients alone, but ban international studies, ban foreign medical trips and improve local sectors.
People can have the love of this country again, if President Buhari looks into the case of Nigerian education and proffer solutions, consolidate better reforms in NNPCL, power, security, economy and education.
In few days, if all hands are put on deck, President Muhammadu Buhari can rekindle a new hope for Nigerians and he will undoubtedly, ignite a new spirit of nationalism in the hearts and the words of Nigerians.
Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim Goronyo is a lecturer with Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Department of Mass Communication and can be reached at auwalahmed@kadunapolytechnic.edu.ng
