The March 28 Presidential elections has long come and gone, with its
surprises for some and heart-breaking shocks for others. ever since then,
the status of General Mohammed Buhari changed from that of five-time
Presidential candidate, to President-Elect, or rather next President of
Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan’s loss at the polls turned out to be more
miraculous than most people thought, and even Mama Peace has publicly
stated that she recovered from her ailment when her husband lost the
election. Hmmm!!! Is that so? Maybe. I guess you are thinking along the
same lines as I am. The announcement of that results was more or less an
eviction notice for the occupants of the Aso rock for the last six years.
The results, however, raised fresh fears in the hearts of politicians,
irrespective of party affiliation or interests. In fact for most, the
results threw them off-balance, and Nigerians have continued to watch with
interest how each of them have reacted to these fears. We have continued
to see how the PDP politicians have continued to blame and cast aspersions
on each other, each seeking a way to exonerate himself and implicate
others. that is their own reaction to the fear of becoming opposition
after so many years in power.
Some went as far as calling for the head of Adama Mu’azu and Chief Tony
Anenih. In the midst of all these, both men have resigned, with Anenih
strongly recommending Goodluck Jonathan to take over as the Chairman, PDP
Board of Trustees. I personally hope he refuses. Not only is he not cut
out for such based on his “gentleman politics”, the almost Ex-President
who is yet to clock 60 needs to return to Otuoke to recuperate after all
the grey hairs he has grown, and the pills he has popped in his six years
of ruling “The Giant Of Africa” amidst so many crisis and challenges; and
should refuse to be shackled for with the responsibility of rebuilding a
house that fell under the watch of Anenih and Mu’azu.
One major fear in the heart of politicians is that Buhari might actually
put in place structures to fight against corruption and corrupt
politicians. This is irrespective of political parties of course, because
if the truth be told, APC politicians are just as corrupt as their PDP
counterparts. If General Buhari actually blocks all the leakages in the
national treasury, that would mean that those politicians who spent as
much as 20 to 30 million to purchase their nomination forms, and more than
double that amount to campaign, would have no means of getting back their
monies spent. It might even spell danger for outgoing officials if he
chooses to prosecute corrupt government officials from past regimes. This
is the real reason why there have been series of carpet crossing, as well
courtesy visits to the defense house, where he is currently resident.
Another major fear which is part of the reason PDP is yet to put their
house in order, is the fear of Buhari’s success. Deep down their hearts,
they have actually pondered and considered the possibility that the
retired General might actually succeed in changing the lot of the Nigerian
masses. They fear, in their hearts, that he might actually revamp
electricity, drive out corruption and poverty, improve standard of
education. They fear that he will do what PDP has not done in 16 years of
ruling. The interpretation of such is that PDP would be out of power for
good.
Enough of the PDP politicians, lets come down to the soon-to-be ruling
party; the APC and Buhari/Osinbajo team. In truth, these men have more
fears to deal with because as the saying goes, maintaining success is
actually more difficult than attaining it. Unfortunately for them, the
loads of campaign promises and media hype that preceded the elections has
brought the expectation of the masses to a zenith. With such height of
expectations, there is a lot of room for disappointment. Promises such as
“blocking all leakages to the national treasury, increasing electricity to
40,000 megawatts, paying N10,000 monthly to the poorest 5 million
Nigerians, tackling insecurity” amidst so many others, gave the impression
that with the General in power, heaven will relocate to Nigeria. Some
persons are already pointing out that with such promises, Buhari would be
lucky to deliver even five out of the numerous promises. All these are
already putting fears into the hearts of APC members and even the ardent
Buhari Campaign managers on the social media, who did all to paint
Goodluck Jonathan like a pile of rubbish.
With all the calls coming from various corners on where and where the
General and his Professor vice should focus, and the dawning of the
reality that the Nigerian treasury is almost empty, even the Bold and
fearless heart of the Army General must have felt a tiny bit of this fear.
He was quoted as saying to Nigerians that he would require their Patience,
as Rome was not built in a day, and he would not be able to change things
overnight. Is it a mere coincidence that the patience he seeks from
Nigerians happens to be the name of the wife of President Goodluck
Jonathan?
On the social media, there has been all sorts of suggestions on areas to
prioritize, but I would love to emphasize just one of them. The person who
made the suggestion is one I know to have been an ardent Buhari supporter
throughout the campaign and he wrote “Baba, now that you have won, don’t
come up with a 36 point agenda like others. just give us light and
security, and others will fall in place.” As laughable as it might sound,
that writer expressed what he felt were the core areas that need the
General’s touch.
Coming to the 9ja politicians at heart; the masses who campaigned
vigorously, came out under the rain and the sun to vote, and for the first
time, stayed back to ensure that their votes counted. A lot have the same
fears as the APC team. After joining the chorus to chant “change” even
when they had no assurance if it would be positive or negative, they fear
that the APC might turn out to be no better than the PDP. Some have
pointed out that whatever the intention of the Buhari/Osinbajo led
government, he would not rule alone, and one can rightfully predict that a
bulk of the ministers if not all would come from APC. Considering the
influx of members from the PDP to the APC, before, during and after the
elections, it might be near impossible to judge the true ideals of any
politician, or what he or she would turn out to be.
This is the fear of the Nigerian populace now, and I might want to steal
the words of the curious disciples of John to ask “Are you the Messiah, or
do we wait for another?”