Over the last two years, Nigeria has been plagued by two spirits. The first spirit represents economic struggles exacerbated by ineffective policies. The second is a governmental crisis that undermines public trust and questions the validity of current leadership. However, rather than addressing these issues head-on, some believe that transitioning to a single-party system would banish these troubling specters.
Within merely two years, the Tinubu government has dramatically intensified Nigeria’s descent into turmoil. It feels like observing a young lady take her final breaths—each exhale more labored than the previous one—with loved ones looking on powerless, holding onto recollections of happier times. Initially, hope was alive. That gave way to disappointment. Today, mere endurance remains.
Everyone acknowledges that the decay didn’t start with Tinubu. Buhari was the one who pushed Nigeria deep into this downward spiral. However, Tinubu intensified the situation further. On his first day in office, he eliminated the fuel subsidy and shortly after, unified the exchange rates. He portrayed these actions as courageous steps forward. Yet, he disregarded any well-researched, evidence-backed, and data-driven strategic recommendations.
Following this period were trials of adversity and despair. The value of money plummeted. Prices surged due to inflation. Costs for food escalated sharply. There wasn’t any organized, methodical, trustworthy strategy presented to alleviate the distress. This specter torments not only those making decisions but also the countless individuals enduring hardships every day. Similarly, this apparition persists in haunting the administration as they enforce additional detrimental measures intended to counteract the turmoil caused by their actions.
Government representatives assert that these changes will lead to positive outcomes. The World Bank expresses mild hopefulness. Polls indicate perseverance. However, the sentiment among people tells a different story. Nigerians perceive themselves as being worse off, which is accurate. Their struggles are tangible, ongoing, and evident.
Instead of governance, people are offered political slogans. Instead of responsibility, we are given excuses. Tinubu’s camp blames Buhari and other imaginary cabals. Ministers blame ‘global headwinds.’ But who governs now?
There’s no need to search extensively; the sham organized by the APC leadership to support Tinubu serves as a stark illustration. Less than two years into his term, when one would anticipate tangible evidence of policy impacts, the president seems more focused on campaigning for 2027 rather than governing effectively. Every failure of this administration is conveniently attributed to the preceding government, with those in charge absolving themselves of all accountability.
Terrorists from Boko Haram caused devastation across Borno State. Likewise, inhabitants in certain areas within Zamfara State now avoid staying in their houses during nights because of relentless terrorist assaults. Entire villages have faced destruction, military outposts have been torched, troops murdered, and innocent citizens slaughtered. The distress has evolved beyond mere abstraction; unmistakable evidence points directly to these palpable yet destructive forces. However, those responsible show no inclination towards admitting culpability.
It might be comprehensible if such political maneuvering were confined solely to the south of the nation. However, it’s striking to observe that even the APC North West governors and leaders are uniting to support Tinubu amid ongoing security issues in their territory. It appears none of them seem concerned about regions like Borno, Plateau, Benue, Katsina, or Zamfara where instability persists.
Certainly, some supernatural force must have taken over everyone. This is undoubtedly how poor leadership manifests itself. It’s evident not only through legislation but also through indifference and acquiescence.
Nigeria now looks like a piece of fruit that has been left out for far too long. The decay started from within, yet now the smell permeates every corner. These warning signs were present even before Tinubu took office, but they have become impossible to ignore.
The concept of tomorrow used to inspire hope and drive people forward. However, today’s youth perceives minimal value in pursuing their goals. What is the point of engaging with a system that has stopped claiming to provide any prospect for the future?
It goes beyond mere issues like inflation or instability. The core problem lies in the erosion of our collective aspirations. Nigeria wasn’t merely a geographical location; it was an ambitious endeavor where various groups united to chase mutual objectives. This unity is fraying. Currently, what we see is everyone vying against each other for limited gains, with one person’s success coming directly at someone else’s cost.
Once, we aspired to create something grand—ranging from farming and production to building and the realm of arts and crafts. Today, our world resembles a dystopian landscape akin to that in “Mad Max.” However, rather than engaging in thrilling vehicular combat amidst deserts alongside Mel Gibson, our conflicts revolve around essential staples like rice, pasta, and bread.
Government programs continue to falter due to their disorganization, inadequate data, and lack of coherence. This decline will likely intensify since these entities refuse to take warnings seriously.
Their push for a single-party system stems from past failures. However, we should stand firm against such efforts. It’s crucial to exorcise the demon haunting this troubled party. Democracy isn’t meant to benefit just one person within a one-party framework. Regardless of the issues plaguing other parties, we ought to accept these shortcomings to guarantee they remain effective and suitable.
However, if change is to occur, it cannot be forced upon anyone. Instead, it has to emerge from within, as individuals rediscover purpose, restore faith, and regain confidence in their fellow beings. Indeed, this may seem impossibly idealistic. Yet, it doesn’t have to remain so. Occasionally, a collective experience, regardless of how absurd, might just serve as the catalyst for transformation.
Gathering under a unified banner—a coalition—to oppose the haunted reigning party could still provide individuals with a rallying point, a reason for optimism. While this idea might seem almost unrealistically positive, it could potentially encourage dialogue once more among citizens from various political affiliations.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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