I have been a key observer in the trend of things in our beloved nation and if we must be frank and honest with ourselves, Nigeria has lost its place among the committee of nations. The name Nigeria no longer springs forth anything positive. Many have come to know Nigeria as a place of insecurity second to Syria, some see Nigeria as the country that could not protect 200+ girls, for some, Nigeria is associated with scam and theft. While all the names and appellations may not be objectively representative of the people of Nigeria, sadly as it is, many persons have drastically destroyed our collective image as Nigerians. You need to go through airport security checks to see the amount of negative treatments that accompany holders of the green Nigerian passports. You need to hear from fellow Nigerians in countries like UAE, Ukraine, Malaysia, Cyprus and Qatar to see how Nigerians are being treated. Even in Ghana, the treatment some Nigerians are subjected to is nothing to write home about. The worst part of the equation is that no one seems to be sure when Nigeria will reclaim its place in the world stage. There seems to be a great feeling of hopelessness in the minds of Nigerians. It is against this backdrop that we must understand that we as a people need to collectively in unity and purpose take our country back from the hands of those who are desperately committed to keep Nigeria down.
When you step out of the shores of Nigeria, you cannot but weep at the level of underdevelopment we have been subjected to after 54 years of independence. Nigeria is blessed with every resources that is needed to be a developed nation. Walk into many hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom; you will find many accomplished doctors and nurses who are Nigerians yet our healthcare sector is practically non-existent. I have seen people like Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, and so many other Nigerians in diaspora who are first among equals in various educational fields including universities and colleges however the educational sector in Nigeria is gradually going into comatose. We produce crude oil and other mineral resources yet Nigerians year in and year out suffer so much scarcity of products. The power sector is now worse than it has ever been in the history of the country. Nigerians are willing and are ready to pay their power bills but they hardly ever enjoy what they have to painfully pay for. When you go through different Nigerian streets, you might be amazed at the level of noise and air pollution that the alternative power generators produce. Security of lives and property which happens to be a major role of government is now basically in the realm of fantasy. We cannot count how many innocent lives have been lost and properties destroyed given the level of insecurity that has characterized Nigeria. The pain of the parents of the Chibok girls has not even been reduced after six months. Girls whose only crime was to get an education and better serve their fatherland. The level of poverty is increasing by the day. It is hard to imagine that the average Nigerian lives on less than a dollar a day. What do we expect from citizens when there is a total collapse in virtually all sectors of the economy? How long can we continue like this? What is the average life expectancy of an average Nigerian?
In the midst of these magnitude of problems we are constantly being bombarded with echoes and drums of a seemingly non-existent ongoing transformation or maybe they meant to say “deformation”. I challenge anyone to come forward and point out these various transformations that the present government of Goodluck Jonathan has ushered in. Maybe they would want to mention things like the oil subsidy scam, the missing $20 billion, the various alleged jet scandals involving the petroleum minister, the Stella Oduah bullet proof scam, the recent arms deal scam and many more which have become hallmarks of this administration. While I understand that leadership is not always easy, probably it has not been easy for the president but the nation cannot afford another four years of this present situation. It beholds on him to charitably quit the stage and for Nigerians to patriotically vote him out for the collective good of Nigeria.
These times that we face are tough and demand tough leadership. We need someone who has been tested and was able to deliver. A man whose integrity has never been dented. A disciplined Nigerian who abhors corruption with passion. Under his watch as head of state, Nigeria experienced a revival of industrialization. I could go on and on to describe this great patriotic Nigerian whom I respectfully present as an alternative to this present order; General Muhammed Buhari (rtd).
Many Nigerians would agree with me that the two basic ills that have brought us to this present state are Corruption and Indiscipline. These two ills have eaten deep into the fabrics and bone marrows of many Nigerians. You basically cannot get any legitimate thing done without having to bribe someone. One can hardly get a job one is qualified for without being involved in some form of corruption. There is so much idolization of wealth and materialism in the society that the desire to get rich quickly and be counted among the powerful is wholly embraced by a vast majority.
While I agree that the nation is blessed with great Nigerians with honor and integrity who can provide competent leadership, I am very confident of the “People’s General” and I believe that the APC would be doing itself and Nigeria the greatest good by nominating him as their presidential candidate. Any choice short of that, would be destroying a golden opportunity of taking this country back from the hands of the “cabal” who are bent on destroying and crippling Nigeria to its foundations.
Charles Oseal’ writes in from America (@oseale)
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