by Ahanonu Kingsley

…And ignorant of this, my president did not deem it courteous enough to hide these lies, but reeled them out in unbroken flow that insulted the sensitivities of discerning and humane
Nigerians.

On the 11th of November, 2011, I watched like many other keen observers as my president, Goodluck Jonathan made the long-awaited declaration of his intent to re-contest for the presidency come 2015. The throng that besought the Eagle Square for this singular event was a gathering of sort—hired or not hired, I give it to them! But unlike many, I wasn’t keen on the programme for the pomp and pageantry that was cut out for it. Rather I was eager to listen to the words of a sitting president, wishing to offer himself for further service; he must have some great comments, spurred by his achievements to make, I had reasoned.

When my president mounted the podium for the eventful declaration, I’m sorry to say though, that I became fearfully disappointed right from the beginning. This reality was not as disparaging to Mr. President (or whoever authored the baloney) as to the painful extent that it was to me; so awkward for the lies they echoed. I would try to make out some excerpts here, while I relate each to my discontentment.

The first excerpt goes thus: “A number of young men and women have
been kidnapped by these criminal elements including our daughters of
Chibok. We will free our daughters and defeat terror,” President
Jonathan said.

What does this statement reveal? Even as factual this assertion might be, it leaves more to be desired; for it would have better remained unsaid than this purposeful whipping of sentiment it caused. Our dear president goofed here in that he exposed his lack of the know on the situation that has befallen his nation. He flubbed in expressing the issue and his resolve in such begging and non-assuring manner. I ask: in promising to ‘free our girls’, what happens to the young men, whom you pointedly identified as truly being kidnapped (and those abducted men and women you seemed to have lost sight of)? You mentioned Chibok girls chiefly because they have been in the front light; what about those 60 women kidnapped in Madagali, the 30+ boys abducted in Mafa, et al., whose safety you swore to protect? Do they not as well matter?

Then comes the second: “I will do everything humanly possible to end this criminal violence in our nation.” he assured. Here again is the mendaciousness of a highfalutin assurance from a president, who had lacked the will to give such an indication right from the very onset, save in fiddling, exposed.

By promising to end the criminality, Mr. President unconsciously acknowledged that he has woefully failed in tackling the present conundrum even with the position for which he feels, if further given a chance, he would achieve better and more miraculous output. And one would be forced to wonder that going by the whole wherewithal the constitution has generously placed at his disposal to enable him perform, he still couldn’t end this criminality or give us a hope on it in the good four years that he has spent so far; whether it could be so probable for the next four years, in another leadership under his watch? If so, for how long will the trial game continue (when there is no indication towards the light of workability) for us to
realise that it doesn’t make any different trying the same hand? Is it till the crisis that has mesmerised the North-east spills over the entire land?

Yet another lie that got me pondering at how pitiable my countrymen have turned into for jolly ride was the third. This captured The Victim Support Fund, The safe School Initiative and The Presidential Initiative for the North-east. According to Mr. President, these programmes are aimed at alleviating the misfortunes of the devastated people of the North-east. The ideas are very well; but notwithstanding the loftiness, they remained lofty initiatives, which in reality were streams of falsehood. And ignorant of this, my president did not deem it courteous enough to hide these lies, but reeled them out in unbroken flow that insulted the sensitivities of discerning and humane
Nigerians.

How on earth would someone who has personally acknowledge the presence of violence in a place and bearing that such was yet to be resolved just in a distance of just some paragraphs, be boastful of initiating programmes which are far from being realities—going by the dicey nature of the terrain. How can you provide one with a pen knowing that he lacks a book? For goodness sake, how palatable to the ears could such supposed efforts be? The continued existence of Boko Haram infamy in the North-east with no hope of effective abatement in sight leaves these lofty programmes mere wishful and impractical.

The idea behind the so-called N60 billion is it for it to be used in Abuja and by top north-eastern politicians in the name of the north-east and their victims; where will it work. How would the genuine victims, whose houses and homelands have been plundered and the people themselves dispersed for their safety be wholesomely supported? Is it in the camps, the mountain fringes and other unknown locations where they have scurried to that the support would be made available? For if it is in their areas— now-deserted, as the initiative suggests, it would better be truthful as mere initiatives. The situation on ground that has made such improbable glaringly reflects their falsehood.

“I promise the victims of these dastardly acts that we will continue to stand with you.” ‘Oga Jona, make I hear!…’ as my sister, Ngozi would retort. The only truth that could be found in an assurance of this manner is to use the enabling position as yours, Mr. President to restore their wilted confidence by returning stability into their homes, their lands. Anything short of this, and more so when the capacity abounds, is deceptive—mere excuse of lie.

And there again he goofed about Safe School Initiative; even though the failure of such was evident as captured in his speech, in the gruesome massacre of over 40 students of Government Science School, Potiskum the day before. Please and please, Mr. President, it is enough that the insurrection has rattled you with the consequent despair tolling on us; to feed is with bogus lies—lies that we know are lies, is to make more fool of us. Stop the lies-posting and get to action; and one thing is that all these lies could begin to be true
possibilities if the singular effort in returning peace to the troubled region can be mustered.

Howbeit, one thing I would concede to Mr. President in his declaration upheaval is his right to belief: “…The Almighty God has made it possible for me to develop a bond with you and I am grateful for your support…” He might be given the benefit of expressing his widest imaginations and convictions as to what manner of camaraderie he feels Nigerians have towards his presidency; though the truth or otherwise remains to be determined by Nigerians. Nonetheless, it would be mistaken enough to allow him circulate blatantly, without bar, obvious white lies.

But then a total deviation from the scripted norm; to me, it was the only truth he was able to declare in that his speech: “I see a Nigeria where all who have taken arms would again embrace peace… I see a Nigeria where the children… of Christopher… and Namadi do not go hungry. I see a Nigeria where all… live in peace and harmony… I see a Nigeria where… the next generation will take us to outer space.” Altogether, they were perfect dreams and I have no reason than to concur with him for this singular truth!
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Ahanonu Kingsley writes from Owerri.