The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on his re-election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeating APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the September19 election.
The chairman of the APC national caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni, in the congratulatory message today September 21, said that the peaceful conduct of the election and its outcome represented a victory for Nigeria’s democracy.
According to the caretaker chairman, who is Yobe State Governor, the party and President Muhammadu Buhari remained committed to free and fair elections to strengthen the foundation of the country’s political and moral authority.
Buni’s statement came after he met with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was also attended by the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who is also the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo election.
Buni also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the exercise.
He praised the APC flagbearer, Pastor Ize-Iyamu for his tenacity and leadership.
The APC chairman applauded the efforts of the immediate past national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for demonstrating unwavering support for the party and its candidate in the election.
A former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) exists today only because of respect members have for President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking with selected journalists in his Abuja home, Okorocha said that unless the party goes back to the four pillars that formed it, namely: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP), APC will continue to struggle.
“There is no more APC. What we have is respect for President Muhammadu Buhari, that is what is keeping us together. What we have is our respect for the person of President Buhari and we still believe that something can be done.
“That trust and respect are what we still call APC. Outside that respect for President Buhari and the trust and belief that he could wake up one day and correct all these injustices and make it fine, nothing is happening.
“If not that, I don’t think there is anything like APC, because people are beginning to get fed up. Again, PDP is not even better, the party has its own challenges.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has paid glowing tribute to his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who he said single handedly raised their children at their trying time. She clocked 60 today, September 21.
“You know, during the dark days when democracy was assaulted in this country, we suffered a lot, the family suffered. As a result of that, she was in America while I was criss-crossing Europe. “She was raising our children all by herself. It was a very trying period for every one of us. And then, we endured and got through all the turbulence and today we are still in positions to serve our nation, to serve our people.”
Asiwaju Tinubu, who spoke with journalists at his Bourdillon, Lagos residence, described Senator Tinubu as her greatest friend, ally and supporter even at most difficult times.
“We are a living symbol of love, care, perseverance and commitment. There are so many moments, many twists and turns in our lives. Hethanked God for her life, adding: “I am very happy for her on the attainment of 60. We give thanks to God Almighty that has spared our lives and preserved our love together. “This moment when Nigeria is 60, my wife is also 60. It’s a wonderful thing. We mark the day with soberness; soberness because many people pray to live to see today but they could not. The pandemic has taken away some of our friends, those close to us. “Today, some people are still lying critically ill in the hospital. Some children have become orphans as a result of what is happening around the country. So it’s a sombre celebration on the occasion of her 60th. “For, Nigeria, turning 60 is also a moment for reflection about all that we have been through and where we are”. On his wish for his wife, Tinubu said: “My wish is for her to live longer, for her legacy to be great, be in good health and continue to enjoy the fruit of her labour, enjoy her children and grandchildren, all of them in good health. And me too in good health.”
Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the governorship election conducted in Edo State yesterday, September 19 as not only a new dawn in Edo State but a declaration of independence from the anti democratic forces of godfatherism and militarism.
“No victory could be sweeter than this, and I heartily congratulate the Governor, and the good people of Edo state for their resilience in the face of the forces arrayed against them.”
In a statement today, September 20, Atiku said that Edo has a rich history as the centre of black civilisation, adding that it had now added a new history as the bastion of Nigerian democracy.
“This double whammy of ancient and modern glories is a testament to a people who have for centuries set the pace as a beacon of light on the African continent. “I most heartily congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party, who stood shoulder to shoulder, with the people of Edo and their Government, in good times and bad.
“We, in the PDP, have shown that we are not fair weather friends to the good people of Edo. In good times, we will walk beside you. In bad times, we will be your true ‘comrade’. We will never be a turncoat. We will never abandon the principles we once espoused, so we can dine with our nemesis. Democracy has no nemesis. And this, the PDP has again proved.
“I look forward to the continuation of four more years of tangible development, and people centred leadership from Governor Obaseki. I also seize this opportunity to thank His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played as a neutral catalyst for peace. That this election was, by and large, free from violence, is a testament of the long and effective shadow he casts over his domain. “From personal experience, I know Governor Obaseki to be a magnanimous man, and I urge Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to accept the right hand of fellowship that is likely to be extended to him. The leprous hand he is now holding, can only lead to a destination of barrenness. He is amongst strange bedfellows, and I remind him that no matter how far one has gone on a wrong road, it is never too late to turn back and head in the right direction. The PDP is the right direction. “And to the good people of Ondo state, my message to you is that freedom from the oppressive grasp of godfathers and external forces that seek to dominate your will, and eviscerate your treasury, is possible. Edo has done it. You can do it too! “There is a new wind of democratic change now blowing all over Nigeria. The forces of despotism, nepotism, and interlopers cannot successfully withstand this force. Nigeria shall soon be totally free from these forces, from Kaura Namoda, to Lagos. The only power that will stand in Nigeria is people power, not the power of godfathers, or despots.”
The University of Abuja has sympathized with the family of its Chancellor, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji, Dr.vShehu Idris, who died today, September 20 at the age of 84.
In a condolence message on behalf of the institution’s Governing Council, Senate, Staff and Students, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, condoled with the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, the Zazzau Emirate Council, the people of Kaduna State and Nigerians.
“The death of the Chancellor comes to us as a rude shock, especially at this moment that we need his counsel most. “We are indeed, proud of his great and superb achievements as the first rate Emir of modern Zaria.”
In a statement by the institution’s spokesman, Dr Habib Yakoob, said that the late Emir would be remembered as a dutiful, very resourceful and committed individual, who believed in the development of education, “particularly of our dear University, the University for National Unity, the UofA of Nigeria.”
The statement recalled that during his years of service as Chancellor, he worked incredibly hard to draw federal and private supports to the University. “His total support and contributions, quality advice and superior leadership as our Chancellor of many years will remain indelible. His demonstration of unequal forthrightness, commitment and accountability, transparency and enthusiasm for the growth and development of the country should be emulated by our leaders and well-meaning Nigerians.
“We are glad that he remained a worthy and accomplished leader till his death.”
The statement said that the Vice-Chancellor has, in the spirit of this bereavement, declared mourning and ordered that flags on campus should be flown at half mast
The Vice Chancellor prayed that Allah in his infinite mercies, reward him abundantly and give the family the fortitude to bear this great loss.
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Godwin Obaseki has been declared winner of the election in Edo State held yesterday, September 19.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) returning officer, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh announced the total result of the election today, September 20.
According to him, PDP polled 307,955 votes while the All Progressives Congress (APC) got 223,619 votes.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Obaseki, who is coming in for a second term, having won the first election about four years ago on the platform of the APC. He dumped the APC for the PDP for the purpose of securing a second term.
In a congratulatory message, President Buhari asked Obaseki to show grace in victory.
The President, who commended the election process in Edo State, assured that his commitment to free and fair elections is firm, adding that without free and fair elections, the foundation of the country’s political and moral authority will be weak.
“I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order.
“Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don’t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with.”
He commended the people of Edo State, the parties, candidates and security agencies for conducting themselves responsibly.
In the past one week, those who think they own Nigeria, and their cohorts, have been making magisterial pronouncements on the state of the nation. What they couldn’t get through the ballot box in 2019, they are attempting to achieve through misinformation, disinformation, malevolence, false narrative, and outright malediction.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, wants us to believe that the country is collapsing, and is now a basket case, with the economy and unity in tatters.
Fine. Nigeria has a lot of challenges. Insecurity. Insularity. Fallen economic fortunes. Rising costs. Huge unemployment. And many more. But are those the only things happening in the country? Not at all. It would be disingenuous, even deceitful to say so. And only the unwary, the undiscerning, would be fooled. And well, including those who choose deliberately to be fooled.
To the applause of ‘sour grapers’ in groups like Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Northern Elders Forum, PANDEF, and some others, Chief Obasanjo spoke, and called his country and its leadership all sorts of names. But am I impressed? No. These were people in the same boat before the 2019 presidential elections. They wanted President Muhammadu Buhari out of office for different personal reasons. But what did they get? A shellacking. Bloody noses, and they went away with their tails between their feet, like a beaten dog. Their boat capsized.
I remember that infamous letter of early 2018, a year before elections, from the professional letter writer. He directed the horse rider (read, President) to dismount, and allow another person to mount. The landlord of the country had spoken, and his word was law.
No sir! President Buhari politely told his former boss in the military. We went to the polls, and the people spoke in a loud voice. The landlord was ejected, thrown out into the cold. That is why anything Chief Obasanjo says about this government cannot carry weight. It is not a case of accepting the message, and ignoring the messenger, as some people canvass. The jaundice of the messenger can taint and corrode the message, and render it unreliable.
And for the cheerleaders, the different groups Obasanjo spoke to, and who egged him on, they are no better. They all took positions before last year’s elections. They threw in their lots with Buhari’s closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar. They all got beaten together, black and blue. And for all of them, they don’t seem to realize that the elections have been won and lost. Till 2023. They remain in pre-election mode, forgetting that the train had long left the station.
Their strategy is simple. Say so much evil about Buhari and his government, paint him black, confuse and discourage Nigerians, paint the picture of a bleak future, till the people become forlorn and disconsolate. What they lost at the polls, they want to get through some other means, as if Nigerians were fools, incapable of independent reasoning.
The former President says the country is collapsing. I agree. Nigeria is collapsing forward. In diverse ways, under President Muhammadu Buhari, the collapse is in a forward trajectory, despite all the odds.
I love what Temitope Ajayi, a public affairs commentator, posted on Facebook earlier in the week. Under the title ‘When Nigeria Was Not A Failed State,’ he listed atrocious developments that occurred between 1999 and 2007, when Obasanjo was President. His Attorney General and Chief Law Officer of the country, Bola Ige, was murdered in cold blood. A serving Governor, Dr Chris Ngige, of Anambra State, was abducted, and thugs unleashed mayhem on Awka, the state capital, burning and looting for many days. Yet, not a word from the President. Nor any action to restore sanity.
Zaki Biam, in Benue State, and Odi, in Bayelsa, were leveled by soldiers on reprisal missions. Scores were murdered. In Plateau State, which had become killing fields, he called the state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) a fool, a compound fool, adding, “CAN, my foot!” Today, that same man, Rev Yakubu Pam, has been appointed Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission by Buhari, a Muslim bigot, as they claim.
And more. In his eight years in office, roads collapsed, rail became history, Supreme Court judgments were subject to his personal interpretations, Governors were wantonly removed without due process, yet, Nigeria was not collapsing then.
Temitope Ajayi summed it up this way: “Under the man that is turning Nigeria to a failed state, as at today, work is going on at a frenetic pace on Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Alausa Toll Gate road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Express, Ikorodu-Sagamu, among others.
“A rail line from Lagos-Ibadan is at final stage of completion. Now that Nigeria is failing, it should be noted that all these projects are in South-West, the same place where the ‘savior’ who couldn’t save himself came from.
“I still struggle to understand the logic of this so-called failed country narrative under the leadership of a man who is doing what his predecessors failed to do, across the entire country, under the most challenging circumstances of low revenue since he took office.”
Thanks Temitope Ajayi, for being so succinct. You nailed it.
And Kurtis Adigba, lawyer, and another good Nigerian, who loves his country dearly, drove the nail further in. Also on Facebook, he posted this week: “For some people, Nigeria is good and doing well only when they are in control of things. They go about sowing seeds of discord and division, and turn round to talk about unity as if unity happens through division and not by coming together.” Very profound.
Chief Obasanjo talked about the mismanagement of our diversity, saying it is leading to collapse. True? False. Nigeria, since 1914, had been an uneasy Federation. There is hate, mistrust, unkind thoughts, ill will, among the Federating units. If you meet him, kill him. If you can’t catch up with him, poison his footsteps. That had always been the relationship. One government after the other had always done its best to promote cohesion and amity, but hateful things Obasanjo and his collaborators have been saying for months and years divide the country further. They can’t sow the wind, and not expect to reap the whirlwind. When things suddenly go bust, and there’s murder and mayhem all over the place, they are often results of evil seeds of division and hate already sown.
I have concluded that unless Nigerians want this country to work, we would just continue to labor and labor. Government after government would do their bit, but as long as divisive, vitriolic comments continue, there would be no nation in the true sense of the word. Not even after President Buhari leaves office. Adigba puts it this way:
“The next President of Nigeria will face the same problem as President Buhari, if we don’t choose to do things differently and treat the country better. Right now, we see Nigeria as an opportunity, not a country to be nourished.”
Home truth. Nigerians are the greatest problem of Nigeria. We continue to harp on the negative, deliberately closing our eyes to positives. Nigeria is collapsing. Yes it is collapsing forward. Revolution in infrastructure. Roads, rail, bridges, airports, and many others. Corruption is being fought, with verifiable results, insurgency and criminality tackled robustly. The economy is being diversified, agriculture is working, we can feed ourselves. But for the enemies, the country is collapsing. Yes, collapsing forward.
Those who claim to love this country, and pretend to be the landlords, actually may love just themselves, and not the country. Otherwise, they would mind their language, knowing that things they say build up tension and animosity, which eventually boil over, leading to sorrow, tears and blood (dem regular trademark).
We must test and examine our ways, and decide whether we want our country to work or not. There are challenges, stiff ones. But they will be overcome, if we all team up, and eschew evil thoughts and words. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalm 122, verse 6).
May they prosper that love Nigeria, our own dear native land.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
I was shocked when I read what you said in the news last week that Nigeria must be restructured in order to avoid her disintegration.
I couldn’t believe my ears that our same President Olusegun Obasanjo can openly canvass for true federalism and restructuring. Waow… God is really wonderful.
Sir, is it true that you said the present Nigerian structure has turned your Yoruba race into second class citizens? Am I dreaming or what?
Sir, are you just realizing that the Yorubas are actually a conquered people within the contraption called Nigeria after you have spent over 10 years as the former president and head of state of Nigeria???
What were you thinking when you were using state forces and actors like the Nigerian army and police to kill, maim and destroy fellow Yorubas and other southerners like the people of Odi, all in the name of one Nigeria?
With all due respect sir, why are you trying to turn into a Yoruba nationalist all of a sudden after you have openly denigrated and spited your people both home and abroad for the sake of other ethnicities most especially the fulani Oligarchs and caliphate in Nigeria.
Your atrocities against the Yoruba nation are uncountable.
As far as I know you have never used your position and influence to preserve the Yoruba race or fight against injustice meted out against the Yoruba nation by other ethnic nationalities within Nigeria.
We remember that Madam funmilayo Ransome Kuti was killed during your regime as the military head of states. Chief Bola Ige was also assassinated during your regime as the civilian head of state. Till date nobody has been prosecuted for the assassination of those bright Yoruba citizens.
We still remember the hatred and bitterness you harbor against the late Sage, may his soul rest in peace. Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood, dedicated and sacrificed his life for the Yoruba nation till his death while you planned for his legacy to be permanently destroyed in Yorubaland, in Nigeria and throughout the world. Fela Anikulapo kuti was beaten and tortured by soldiers during your regime as the head of state. Fela today is one of the greatest Yoruba sons that ever graced the earth.
Pa Awolowo won the election in 1978 but you openly campaigned and rigged in Favour of a fulani candidate. You were quoted to have said that “the best candidate will not win the election.” Your hatred for MKO Abiola is also well known. After you became the president of Nigeria on the back of Yoruba agenda in 1999 and the sacrifices of MKO and Kudirat Abiola, you embarked on the campaign of whitewashing the struggle of June12. You even said that MKO Abiola is not the messiah Nigeria needs. What a shameful statement by you.
When patriotic Yoruba citizens were fighting to reclaim Kwara from Fulani hegemony, anarchy and apartheid system of government in 1999, led by Gani Adams and Mohammed Lawal, you openly unleashed the military and the police to massacre thousands of Yoruba freedom fighters. You handed over power back to the Saraki dynasty and the emirates in kwara without thinking twice while the Yoruba nation was cursing you for your treason.
Should we even mention how you used thugs, deceit and betrayal to destroy the Alliance for democracy and Afenifere group. We still remember how you refuse to give lagos state, a Yoruba state in Yorubaland monthly Federal Government allocation for 3 years because the governor of Lagos state led by Tinubu complained to you that – why should Lagos state have 20 local government while Kano state that contributes nothing to Nigeria’s revenue has 44 local government? Your response was to starve Yoruba sons and daughters living in Lagos to death by withholding their allocation for 3 good years. Tinubu wanted to build an independent power station in lagos to serve lagos state, you destroyed and frustrated the project, and yet Governor Fashola could not build the independent power station.
A national census was carried out in 2006 by your government which was declared as a fraud because of your usual commitment in favouring the hausa fulani establishment over your people.
During your government, Yoruba intellectuals told you and warned you that restructuring and true federalism is the only way out of the impending doom of Nigeria. What did you do? You used federal might to silence your critics and openly said you are a Nigerian nationalist not a Yoruba nationalist. Do you still remember sir?
Fast forward those years to 2020, you are all of a sudden crying and screaming of fulanisation and Islamization. You are now an apostle of true federalism and restructuring. It’s even amazing that you can attend Oodua people’s congress meeting to talk about Yoruba agenda after you openly called Oodua Peoples Congress a terrorist organization; What a shame.
With all due respect sir, you have been more of a disaster to the Yoruba nation than a blessing since 1960. You destroyed the Yoruba nation for the sake of your greed and selfishness. We will never forgive and forget your misdeeds against millions of Yoruba citizens.
In the name of Olodumare, the Yoruba nation will get out of this shithole called Nigeria and you can gladly relocate your lineage to North or eastern part of Nigeria but not in Yorubaland.
If you are actually remorseful and shameful, you should never talk about Yoruba agenda because you are the number one enemy of the Yoruba race.
May Olodumare continue to uplift the Yoruba race, Amen.
The Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Godwin Obaseki, has begged God not to allow him win reelection in tomorrow, September 19 election if it would result in bloodbath.
He stressed that his second term ambition is not worth spilling the blood of anyone.
“If it will cost the blood of anybody, let me lose instead.”
In a statement today, September 18, Governor Obaseki was quoted as speaking after a one-day prayer and fasting session for a peaceful election, organised by the Edo Christian Community for all the governorship candidates ahead of the election.
The statement was titled, ‘My reelection not worth spilling of blood – Obaseki’, and signed by Obaseki’s Special Assistant on Media, Crusoe Osagie.
Obaseki called on eligible voters to come out en masse without fear of intimidation or harassment, adding that there is no need for any form of violence during the electioneering process.
“Ordinarily, an election is supposed to be a contest where people go to sell their ideal, and citizens in their own free will go and vote for those ideals they believe in; it shouldn’t be one where people will do anything to get power.
“Election should not be one in which we shed blood because the election will always come. If you die in an election, you will not be there in the next one to vote. So, there is no need for violence.
“It’s unfortunate that where we are today we are all afraid that there will be trouble, that there will be crisis and violence but by the grace of God, we will all come out and vote and there won’t be any bloodshed.
“There is no need for any violence and if anybody decides to act in a violent manner just walk away because our lives are very precious. I have a covenant with God; if it will cost the blood of anybody for me to get into power, he should not let me have power.”
On his part, the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Reverend Felix Omobude, prayed that God would make peace reign before, during, and after the election.
The Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike were believed to have destroyed bandits’ meeting venue in Kwaimbana Forest area of Kaduna State and several of them were killed in the incident.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who made this known in a statement today, September 18 in Abuja, said that the air raid was conducted after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that revealed the hideout along with a building in the centre of the forest.
General Enenche said that the Air Component dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location accordingly to engage them.
He said that the attack aircraft took turns in engaging the target area, scoring accurate hits which resulted in the damage of the building as well as neutralisation of several bandits.
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The University of Abuja has sympathized with the family of its Chancellor, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji, Dr.vShehu Idris, who died today, September 20 at the age of 84.
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Godwin Obaseki has been declared winner of the election in Edo State held yesterday, September 19.
The Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Godwin Obaseki, has begged God not to allow him win reelection in tomorrow, September 19 election if it would result in bloodbath.
The Air Component of Operation Thunder Strike were believed to have destroyed bandits’ meeting venue in Kwaimbana Forest area of Kaduna State and several of them were killed in the incident.
Obasanjo, The Landlord, Blows Hate Again, By Femi Adesina
In the past one week, those who think they own Nigeria, and their cohorts, have been making magisterial pronouncements on the state of the nation. What they couldn’t get through the ballot box in 2019, they are attempting to achieve through misinformation, disinformation, malevolence, false narrative, and outright malediction.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, wants us to believe that the country is collapsing, and is now a basket case, with the economy and unity in tatters.
Fine. Nigeria has a lot of challenges. Insecurity. Insularity. Fallen economic fortunes. Rising costs. Huge unemployment. And many more. But are those the only things happening in the country? Not at all. It would be disingenuous, even deceitful to say so. And only the unwary, the undiscerning, would be fooled. And well, including those who choose deliberately to be fooled.
To the applause of ‘sour grapers’ in groups like Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Northern Elders Forum, PANDEF, and some others, Chief Obasanjo spoke, and called his country and its leadership all sorts of names. But am I impressed? No. These were people in the same boat before the 2019 presidential elections. They wanted President Muhammadu Buhari out of office for different personal reasons. But what did they get? A shellacking. Bloody noses, and they went away with their tails between their feet, like a beaten dog. Their boat capsized.
I remember that infamous letter of early 2018, a year before elections, from the professional letter writer. He directed the horse rider (read, President) to dismount, and allow another person to mount. The landlord of the country had spoken, and his word was law.
No sir! President Buhari politely told his former boss in the military. We went to the polls, and the people spoke in a loud voice. The landlord was ejected, thrown out into the cold.
That is why anything Chief Obasanjo says about this government cannot carry weight. It is not a case of accepting the message, and ignoring the messenger, as some people canvass. The jaundice of the messenger can taint and corrode the message, and render it unreliable.
And for the cheerleaders, the different groups Obasanjo spoke to, and who egged him on, they are no better. They all took positions before last year’s elections. They threw in their lots with Buhari’s closest challenger, Atiku Abubakar. They all got beaten together, black and blue. And for all of them, they don’t seem to realize that the elections have been won and lost. Till 2023. They remain in pre-election mode, forgetting that the train had long left the station.
Their strategy is simple. Say so much evil about Buhari and his government, paint him black, confuse and discourage Nigerians, paint the picture of a bleak future, till the people become forlorn and disconsolate. What they lost at the polls, they want to get through some other means, as if Nigerians were fools, incapable of independent reasoning.
The former President says the country is collapsing. I agree. Nigeria is collapsing forward. In diverse ways, under President Muhammadu Buhari, the collapse is in a forward trajectory, despite all the odds.
I love what Temitope Ajayi, a public affairs commentator, posted on Facebook earlier in the week. Under the title ‘When Nigeria Was Not A Failed State,’ he listed atrocious developments that occurred between 1999 and 2007, when Obasanjo was President. His Attorney General and Chief Law Officer of the country, Bola Ige, was murdered in cold blood. A serving Governor, Dr Chris Ngige, of Anambra State, was abducted, and thugs unleashed mayhem on Awka, the state capital, burning and looting for many days. Yet, not a word from the President. Nor any action to restore sanity.
Zaki Biam, in Benue State, and Odi, in Bayelsa, were leveled by soldiers on reprisal missions. Scores were murdered. In Plateau State, which had become killing fields, he called the state chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) a fool, a compound fool, adding, “CAN, my foot!” Today, that same man, Rev Yakubu Pam, has been appointed Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission by Buhari, a Muslim bigot, as they claim.
And more. In his eight years in office, roads collapsed, rail became history, Supreme Court judgments were subject to his personal interpretations, Governors were wantonly removed without due process, yet, Nigeria was not collapsing then.
Temitope Ajayi summed it up this way: “Under the man that is turning Nigeria to a failed state, as at today, work is going on at a frenetic pace on Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Alausa Toll Gate road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Express, Ikorodu-Sagamu, among others.
“A rail line from Lagos-Ibadan is at final stage of completion. Now that Nigeria is failing, it should be noted that all these projects are in South-West, the same place where the ‘savior’ who couldn’t save himself came from.
“I still struggle to understand the logic of this so-called failed country narrative under the leadership of a man who is doing what his predecessors failed to do, across the entire country, under the most challenging circumstances of low revenue since he took office.”
Thanks Temitope Ajayi, for being so succinct. You nailed it.
And Kurtis Adigba, lawyer, and another good Nigerian, who loves his country dearly, drove the nail further in. Also on Facebook, he posted this week: “For some people, Nigeria is good and doing well only when they are in control of things. They go about sowing seeds of discord and division, and turn round to talk about unity as if unity happens through division and not by coming together.” Very profound.
Chief Obasanjo talked about the mismanagement of our diversity, saying it is leading to collapse. True? False. Nigeria, since 1914, had been an uneasy Federation. There is hate, mistrust, unkind thoughts, ill will, among the Federating units. If you meet him, kill him. If you can’t catch up with him, poison his footsteps. That had always been the relationship. One government after the other had always done its best to promote cohesion and amity, but hateful things Obasanjo and his collaborators have been saying for months and years divide the country further. They can’t sow the wind, and not expect to reap the whirlwind. When things suddenly go bust, and there’s murder and mayhem all over the place, they are often results of evil seeds of division and hate already sown.
I have concluded that unless Nigerians want this country to work, we would just continue to labor and labor. Government after government would do their bit, but as long as divisive, vitriolic comments continue, there would be no nation in the true sense of the word. Not even after President Buhari leaves office. Adigba puts it this way:
“The next President of Nigeria will face the same problem as President Buhari, if we don’t choose to do things differently and treat the country better. Right now, we see Nigeria as an opportunity, not a country to be nourished.”
Home truth. Nigerians are the greatest problem of Nigeria. We continue to harp on the negative, deliberately closing our eyes to positives. Nigeria is collapsing. Yes it is collapsing forward. Revolution in infrastructure. Roads, rail, bridges, airports, and many others. Corruption is being fought, with verifiable results, insurgency and criminality tackled robustly. The economy is being diversified, agriculture is working, we can feed ourselves. But for the enemies, the country is collapsing. Yes, collapsing forward.
Those who claim to love this country, and pretend to be the landlords, actually may love just themselves, and not the country. Otherwise, they would mind their language, knowing that things they say build up tension and animosity, which eventually boil over, leading to sorrow, tears and blood (dem regular trademark).
We must test and examine our ways, and decide whether we want our country to work or not. There are challenges, stiff ones. But they will be overcome, if we all team up, and eschew evil thoughts and words. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalm 122, verse 6).
May they prosper that love Nigeria, our own dear native land.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity