Unfortunately, we are the most forgetful set of people in the world; and that’s the reason why Nigeria will remain underdeveloped for many years to come. How can any rational people in a country as populated with active minds be so submerged in amnesia?
The sixteen destructive years of the PDP have become irrelevant to those with fickle minds. They have, suddenly, been blinded by their sense of forgetfulness and want change to happen in one month.
Nigerians must be ready to pay huge prices to regain their economic and social freedom. The law of nature clearly states: “plant today and harvest tomorrow.” Since our previous leaders, especially Jonathan Goodluck’s team, for five years, deliberately forgot to invest, and consumed all available resources, the resultant effect is years of famine, while we reorganise/scrape crumbs for reinvestment for the future. It may sound metaphorical, but this is the true state of the nation.
Rebuilding a nation from five years of exploitative regime is as hard as climbing Mount Everest without safety guards.
Every Nigerian can testify that NEPA/PHCN has suddenly improved its services in just four weeks of APC government; four refineries will be back to active, productive state by the end of July. These miracles are devoid of explanation; GMB government has only decided to reactivate the laid- down rules of our constitution, and everything seems to fall in place.
Leadership is simply selflessness, dedication, and effective response to issues. The previous administration of Jonathan comprised of greedy and unconcerned individuals, whose ultimate desire rested on self-serving, not the populace. Jonathan’s naivety to human intrigues, and his good-natured persona, exposed his weakness to the pride of lions within his political domain. The system allowed, with impunity, direct theft from the national treasury. The ever- corrupt judiciary could do nothing, but to partake in the elaborate feast for all. The Nigerian constitution became a book of reference for only those opposed to the government, and/or inconsequential in the society. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) became ineffectual, handicapped because the government of the day shielded criminals from prosecution.
In just four weeks, over 12 sordid and viewed as corrupt leaders have intensely been interrogated and some arraigned. This sudden reactivation of its functions has clearly shown that the EFCC was forced into abeyance.
Corruption, nepotism, and regional alliance were the theme of the last administration. Orchestrated insecurity created loopholes for massive embezzlement of public funds. Still, for selfish reasons, some Nigerians wanted the PDP back in government.
The difference between the All Progressive Alliance (APC) and the PDP lies in the personality of Mohammed Buhari, the President. Otherwise, characteristically, members of the two parties are uniquely the same. They are corrupt, self-centered and have very little regard for law and order. The fact that the majority of those in the APC migrated from the PDP gives credence to the usual drama that is unfolding in the national assembly.
Only those with shallow minds will expect an efficient, proactive, and dignified national assembly under the APC government. Nothing will change in the legislative arm of this government with the crop of “birds of the same feather” whose large appetite for self -aggrandisement will never cease to expose them as politicians of fortune.
The issue of over payment of the illusive fuel subsidy is not detachable from the national assembly. The legal and legislative support, massively enjoyed by the large, unaccredited, phantom fuel importers that drained over N2 trillion out of Nigeria’s treasury would have been monitored and detected early, if the lawmakers had acted selflessly.
For those who are in haste to know the new ministerial nominees and other political appointees, a strong economic foundation must first exist to guide future growth. There is no reason for “hurry and wait” syndrome; our usual national hiccup.
The challenges before this new and very young government is inconceivable anywhere else; even economic growth in war-torn Libya and Iraq seem more prospective right now than Nigeria.
Those who cannot accept the gradual and steady planning being conceived should keep quiet and see stability unfold. Time for arrogant display of illicit funds is gone; wealth must match labour and positive effort. The road to daylight robbery with impunity is being shut; only those who can, with hard labour, strive to succeed will achieve success. This is the norm world over, and Nigeria should not be the exception. This is no time for fake, plastic, display of vanity.
The process of reinventing a proper system that is sustainable, that will outlive all administrations is tough, time consuming, and utterly demanding. What this country needs is that type of system, and we have no choice but to be patient for its rebirth.
This is the time for reality; no fiction nor deception can substitute for the impending hardship and national sacrifice on everyone’s part.
Anyone challenging the President’s pace of administration should prime his sense of remembrance, think back, and try to understand the true position of Nigeria’s economy. Our nation’s treasury is in absolute value of negative. Rushing to alleviate this precarious situation is as good as submerging us in a brutal economic depression.
Nothing in Nigeria will gear up to normalcy in the next four years. But one thing is certain: if we steadily reactivate our judiciary to an incorruptible standard, and the working system is understood, then we will have a strong political and economic structure.
by Capt. Daniel Omale
