In the annals of Nigeria’s history; we have never had it this bad. It is true that since the inception of democratic government in Nigeria, we have always had one issue or the other to battle with as a nation of over 213 million, yet it has never been this terrible.
Under President Muhammadu Buhari, the issue of insecurity has grown from bad to worse. Today, insecurity is threatening the foundation of our existence as a nation. And not only that, the vicious cycle of poverty now engulfs the masses to a level of suffocation.
Unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari has not been forthcoming as expected. Today, many Nigerians find it extremely difficult to refer to him as President.
Sadly for us as a Nation, the President we elected in 2015 and reelected in 2019, no longer act like a president or speak like one. He no longer shows the moral authority that a President needs to project nor the courage of one. He no longer displays the vision of an enlightened President nor the diplomatic savvy of one. The President only acts as if Fulani tribe is the only tribe we have in Nigerian and the only one he has at heart.
While our President occasionally calls for unity, he sometimes shows the tendencies of a divisive figure.
Today, the economy of Africa’s most populous nation today has become a
hydra-headed monster that is difficult to tame or control under President Muhammadu Buhari. Our economy is now a ravaging bull running amok and has defied any solution from Mr. President.
Majority of Nigerians have become hopeless in the face of the economic hardship that has plagued Nigeria since Mr President took over mantle of leadership of this great Nation.
Today, Nigerians can no sleep with their two eyes closed over the issue of insecurity. We have become a Nation where terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and unknown gunmen operate with impunity.
It is very sad that Mr President’s inactions is responsible for the rise of secessionist groups in the county. It is Mr President’s callous indifference to the plight of Nigerians that brought about the rise of misfits like Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho who would not have had their ways in a sane society. Today, hoodlums and miscreants have hijacked the leadership of these groups and are unleashing mayhem on the citizenry.
What is happening in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is best described in W. B. Yeats’ words in ‘The Second Coming’: “We are turning and turning in the widening gyre; the falcon cannot hear the falconer; things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.”
It is also under this present government that the theory of vulgar individualism and fetish corruption has triumphed over the political firmness and sharpness of the leadership of the country.
Even with the myriads of problems bedevelling us as a Nation; we cannot afford to go our separate ways. The three major ethnic tribes in the country depend on each other to survive. No ethnic tribe in Nigeria can survive on its own.
At 61, we can still turn things around if only we can can go back to the drawing board. We must collectively address the issues threatening the foundation of our existence and proffer solutions before it is too late. The mischief makers and the misguided youths calling for secession should be made to understand that our strength lies in our unity.