By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
Have we ever met a president whose ambition and goal was to be a bad president and hurt the poor masses? i don’t think so! i believe every political leader wants to do a good job, develop a prosperous Nation, well-adjusted, productive, successful, happy citizens. tragically, so many of us fail to see the desired results in this crazy title called “the President of a Country”.
Numerous actors, athletes, political leaders and business executives today, attempt to deny their position as role models when people are already following them and imitating their conduct. Bernie madoff was one of the most admired and sought-after brokers on wall street. that was it, until he ended up in prison for perpetrating a multibillion-dollar ponzi scheme that devastated the lives of individuals, companies and even Governments.
Leadership isn’t for cowards. it’s hard, tiring, often thankless, discouraging work. most people still harp on the injunction that the world is full of conquest of weaker nations by stronger ones. they blame Europe and America as the so called super powers that threaten and subdue Nigeria, take over her economy and make her subject to them. if this happens at all as it used to be; it must necessarily be a “diplomatic agreement”.
if the great Britain were still to be in charge in Nigeria, one could imagine the infrastructure and development that would have been in Nigeria. sadly, shedding of blood and wastage of human lives have inundated the quest for political power in Nigeria.
‘Shake well before using ‘ is the instructions on most of the mixtures but the mixture given by APC to Nigerians has been shook severally, turned upside down but the contents are still not digestible. in 1983, the national party of Nigeria (NPN) has a popular slogan: “if you cannot beat them, you join them”. today, it has come to a point where there are so many things we do in fear or afraid while doing them. criticizing the apc governments in Nigeria is one of them. still, one would ask: is it possible to live free from fear in this dangerous and unpredictable world? in all things, love for one’s country should come first. but it’s unwise to refuse to face reality.
While Nigerians remain patient in trouble; they do believe that the trouble is not permanent. the past few weeks have been torment and hell for workers and average Nigerians/poor masses. the conditions given by Nnpcl to Ipman are the prerequisites for their business transactions no matter whose ox is gored.
president bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies resulting in an instant increase from n198 to n1500 has sparked intense debates leading to loss of lives. critics argue that this move showcases Tinubu’s hypocrisy as he had previously condemned the removal of petrol subsidy by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, Labelling it a “Jonathan tax”. some have expressed concerns that Tinubu’s actions are driven by a desire for power and wealth, rather than the well-being of Nigerians.
Counterfeit reform and transformation attenuate the present government. cloak and dagger policies suffocate the masses. n1000 can neither buy a loaf of bread nor feed a hungry man. there’s widespread deception and a multitude of false allegations on critics. it’s not yet up to a decade for the ruling party but the citizens have been forced to keep their nose to the grindstone.
Israelite landowners were told to intentionally not harvest all the grain so that the poor could glean the leftovers. a government that has zero consideration for the poor and the needy is oppressive and despotic. during the time of early Greek Civilization, epicurean and stoic philosophers saw life differently yet they gathered to debate those differences. sometimes, we may not be moving forward when contrary opinions are not hearkened to lest there would be harm on the way.
You may have seen or heard some variations of this saying: “if you want to go fast, go alone. but if you want to go far, go together”. psychosomatic healing has eluded Nigerians because hardship has destabilized their thoughts pattern. however, if our reality is negative, we can still have a positive attitude toward it. the present government has virtually failed the trust test. people gladly and willingly follow a man that is trustworthy.
hope is a powerful force that sustains us through difficult times. it has been said that cemeteries are the epicenter of unrealized hopes and dreams – the final resting place for countless directors, singers, artists, and others whose gifts and ideas never fully materialized. Nigeria is like a cemetery with her citizens being pulled into servitude.
In conclusion, watching our utterances is key in overcoming the challenges on our way. heavens will not save Nigerians if they stomach oppression and injustice. giving up will be suicidal as boredom is now a big problem for once productive citizens. life is losing purpose and meaning. a lot wake up every day just for the hell of it; doing nothing. many have fallen into an antinomianism which makes them believe one thing and do the opposite.
Nigeria has become a world of thwarted hopes, broken dreams and frustrated desires. nonetheless, we must give the present government a chance. fifteen years is not too far to reap the fruits of economic transformation. Nigeria could have collapsed if these measures were not taken.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from Fha ii estate, satellite town Lagos.
