I must apologise rather contritely albeit subtly for this blog page was not created with the intent of strong expression of political views or insidious political happenings in the socio - political landscape of a monumental but farcical clime called Nigeria. Rather, it was created with the intent of the expression of the philosophical musings, contrasting thoughts and perceptual panorama of the society in a young writer’s viewpoint in a world typified by bemoaning bedlam. But for the recent flagrant happenstances in our already deluded country, this would have remained so.
It is most unfortunate that Nigeria at its nascent democracy still remains morbidly moribund and an obnoxious obloquy of the polity is most often well deserved especially on issues concerning the safety and security of the citizens of this discomfiting country. I commiserate profoundly with the families of the NYSC members who recently lost their lives in the Suleja bomb blast mishap. Rare gems have been knocked off the face of the earth in the most questionable of circumstances and to what end? A rather odious and vilely GEJ would call them martyrs who have been sacrificed for a supposed greater good. If those corp members were his sons or family relatives, would he have the same to say? It is most unfortunate that the president of the largest black nation does not have a couth manner of approach on sensitive matters as such and could only bring himself to repeat a clichéd “we will bring the perpetrators to justice”. How many of such perpetrators have since been brought to book? His administration, I must say, has been characterised by the most catastrophic of occurrences in the history of security and safety of the Nigerian citizenry. Let’s go down the memory lane to early 2010 when he assumed full presidential responsibilities together with its delusory and pecuniary trappings. A total of more than six unaccounted for and unwarranted bomb blasts have been witnessed with a trail of the bomb blast following him to almost every state he campaigned to during his vast but specious campaign for election. And what did he have to say each time. That’s right, the same clichéd “we will bring the perpetrators to justice” fall out of his grisly mouth in a manner most despicable for a supposed former academia. Even his mien alludes most contrary to this. Early last year, I argued that the best good that GEJ could do for himself at the time was to avoid falling into the temptation of contesting for the 2011 general elections. But given the preposterous nature of humans and the always, ultimate and uncanny desire to hold on to power once tasted, he gave in to the throes of the temptation and the rest is history. Like Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d’Ivoire, may he not hold on to that power for him to eventually lose it under the most embarrassing of situations. The military forces loyal to his Laurent Gbagbo’s rival and the winner of the greatly subverted presidential elections of the country, Alassane Ouattara, caught up with him (Gbagbo) just yesterday in the heart of Abidjan and in the heart of the raging civil dispute. As has been opined, men who do not learn from history are condemned to reliving it at their own expense. Let GEJ learn.
It was with fervent attention and utter chagrin that I followed the recent NASS elections in our “dear and beloved” country (I sometimes do not believe that anymore – pardon me) alongside my stoical but analytical father. A laughable but wonderful show I must say. It only but corroborates my earlier suspicion that Nigerians are very tired and frustrated of the current order of events in the everyday Nigeria. However, let’s let alone the almost seeming auspicious happenstance and delve into more pragmatic concerns, implications and product of last Saturday’s election. Two of which quickly comes to mind. First, I think it an anticlimax for GEJ to pronounce that he has given Nigeria and by implication Nigerians a free, fair and credible election. It is absolutely beleaguering, unprecedented, unwarranted and baseless for no credit or score card could be given until the three elections has been concluded of which the two most important of the elections are yet to hold. By such proclamation, he only but exposes himself to criticisms as last Saturday’s elections were not without unnerving blemish neither were they devoid of the usual practice of ballot box snatching, overt violence, the usual associated deaths and resignation conundrum of Resident Electoral Commissioner as we had in Anambra state. It has almost become an inherent thing in the polity for people to be “martyred” as the President puts in the Nigerian election cycle. It is just unacceptable for the families of the NYSC corp members that lost their lives did not have a fair share of the election deal neither will they accede to the freeness or fairness of the election process. It is just simply unacceptable!!!
By the foregoing of last Saturdays election results, the PDP notwithstanding its chicanery and brigandage remains strong albeit divided. The impact of such internal division evident making it less formidable in the election as the results exposed. But let’s face it; GEJ still stands a good chance to win in the upcoming presidential elections however not a lot of forward thinking people want him to inclusive of the writer. Why? An analysis of the results of the new senatorial elects elucidates this. There was an almost equal distribution of the newly elects between PDP and ACN/CPC with the raised beam tilting towards PDP. The implication is that the votes of the electorate in the presidential election will be shared between PDP and ACN/CPC as such still leaving PDP with the highest probable votes. My thought is that for an overturn of the monolithic PDP to happen, we do not need both ACN and CPC contesting against PDP frittering the votes of the electorates devoted to PROJECT REMOVE PDP between them. It will be a tougher showdown for the albatross, PDP, if there be only ACN or only CPC in the current order of electioneering in Nigeria. I must say I do not believe in hoping for the best that either ACN or CPC will eventually win but let’s watch as the curtain unveils next Saturday.
Thank you.
Foye.