Buhari or bust

“He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery “- Harold Wilson
Black Friday, cyber Monday and don’t know about you but if the last couple of days has been nothing to go by, then last Thursday is definitely a super Thursday. Well, for our politicians and those who have a stake in their progress or lack of? To be honest, it was predictive; a two horse race. There was a lot of horse-trading, double dealing, political musical chairs and defections. Threats, legal wrangling, and innuendos, bargaining, pleading, begging and blaming.
Change is absolutely necessary for Nigerians. The time for Nigerians to take stock and honestly reflect if they honestly like the direction the country is going, the fact that the country has been governed by the same party for 16 years. Politics has become very much about personality, tribe, religion rather than political ideology. Do we really want the more of the same or do we want something different. In the PDP corner, the incumbent, relatively younger GEJ. He has been in the hot seat of leading the nation. GEJ being the sole candidate for the PDP primaries was a slight surprise. It seems the fact that there were no other contenders from his party was a source of desertion by some members of his parties who rightfully or wrongly felt cheated that the gentleman’s agreement of rotation for every two terms has been put aside for Jonathan to represent his party without another contender. This move has cost PDP very dearly. It seems some are not happy that the unwritten rule was ignored. It is going to take some convincing to prevent mutiny within their ranks.
In spite of this, Jonathan assures party faithful that they are stronger, bigger, and more in tune with yearning of the people.
Well, the speech rings quite hollow and insincere. This government is so out of touch with the people. Jonathan on the contrary, has been accused of fuelling corruption, and complicit in multiple scandals. Jonathan may boast that Nigeria GDP has grown from $35.9b to $510 under his administration. Seems impressive but, can GEJ show us the money? What has ordinary Nigerians got to show for the growth in GDP? The quality of life or the distribution of wealth? They say, you can judge a country by the way they treat the most disadvantaged or vulnerable. Can that be said of the present government? The institutions and establishments are a mere shadow of their past glories; the people have to decide if they want more of the same or take their destiny in their hands and seek real change. This time Nigerians have got to go all out as if their very existence depends on it and believe me it does and that of the coming generations. Real change is what Nigerians need and deserve.
General Muhammadu Buhari
The problem with GEJ is that he believes in his own hype. That Nigeria has never had it so good. So he is going to start now to convince the people that he listens, that under his watch many more people have become displaced in their own country, that poverty is so grinding that it is common place; that the credibility in the eye of the world is so low, institutional corruption more commonplace. For years there has been no distinct person in charge. Political amnesia is a good thing for those in denial. Hindsight is good for those especially who are at the receiving end that they use their experience and conscience to judge the next government they vote in power. The lives of all Nigerians depend on it.
Putting aside all the divisive elements, we should seek to be better than we are; in fact anything is better than what it is at the moment. Empty promises and aggrandising pronouncements simply should not make it. But unfortunately some still believe the only way is slavishly following restrictive dictates. People need real democracy
One that represent the voices of the people. Now is the time for people to exercise their constitutional obligations.
People want a political party they can relate and engage. Right now, majority of the people have lost respect for our politicians. Nigeria is more divided along religious, tribal and political parties’ lines. In the eyes of the world, Nigeria has been diminished in standing. The level of insecurity has been abysmal, increasing insurgency, broken down establishments and ill-disciplined police force and grand theft in the face of grinding poverty is shocking.
Super Thursday has separated the wheat from the chaff. With the result this week’s Thursday primaries, February is indeed a month of reckoning. They say a day is a long time in politics. It will be highly contested and anticipated. Come February, will the will of Nigerians be truly done and honoured?
In the meantime it seems Buhari will challenge Goodluck at February presidential election. Seriously, it is difficult to choose between the two parties as there are no ideological difference between the two, judging from previous rhetoric and past misdemeanours.
On the other hand, in Buhari, at least there is a tried and tested individual. During his time in office: there was real attempt to eliminate or reduce corruption; the streets were clean, and there were orderly queues. Good schools, increase productivity and outstanding educational opportunities and employment. And our police were disciplined and accountable.
Those that tried to deviate were met with corresponding consequences. Yes those that hate calm and order said it was strict but Nigeria worked and it was safe to do business in.