by Nina Anyinuka

 

So now, I ask, Can’t you see that after 1000s of us stood under the sun for days ‘occupying Nigeria’ against the fuel subsidy removal, it was all a fraud? Where are the things Madam NOI (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) promised us would come from that removal?

I am not a GMB (General Muhammadu Buhari) fan and I can not stand GEJ (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan). I have no faith in APC and I find PDP laughable, I am not a politician, I have no political affiliations, I am not deceived by propagandas or blinded by sentiments and I am no longer on Facebook. However, I am Nigerian, I am first a born-again christian before anything else, I am unhappy with what Nigeria has become and although I am privileged to have the good things of life, I am terribly dissatisfied with what NIGERIA has ‘remained’.

I refuse to be like the proverbial “ogalanya” (wealthy man) who when well fed assumes his household is fed as well (Igbo proverb). So, I have decided to bring my unbiased thoughts following the forthcoming elections but first, let me give us a short background.

In 2009/2010 I carried a placard in support of GEJ, why? Because, I had high hopes for Nigeria and for no reason in particular (not that he earned it) had high hopes in the man GEJ. He was the underdog, I like underdogs. But from the May of 2010 when he was sworn in to the following year 2011, I had started seeing beyond the underdog image. I was vocal about my lack of support for him -then I was still on Facebook- and many called for my head on the slaughter slab. I did NOT want GMB “the Islamic extremist” either, so I-Did-Not-Vote. “Don’t worry” I was told by friends and family who supported GEJ, “he will over perform”… Please permit me to insert -LOL. Had he under-performed? I might have regretted not voting but NOT performing at all???? Dude, come on now!!!!!

Now it is time to vote and this time I sure will vote. Who for? Watch this:
I started following GEJs campaigns and listening to his arguments and there are none. In fact, what worries me most is the “I will do more” slogan, why do more of nothing? I will do something would have been more apt as Nigerians for a long time, just like the songstress Omawunmi have been begging GEJ the chairman to do something.

His campaign team sell religious and tribal propaganda and sentiments to us and we the gullible, have the right currency for that…Well, not me in 2015.

So now, I ask, Can’t you see that after 1000s of us stood under the sun for days ‘occupying Nigeria’ against the fuel subsidy removal, it was all a fraud? Where are the things Madam NOI (Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) promised us would come from that removal?

Can’t you see that if GEJs team keeps reminding us that GMB used force during WAI, it is a lame argument because his was a military regime and GEJ being a democratic president used the military and security agencies to force-stop us from occupying Nigeria and several people were killed, the young boy who was killed in the Ogba area of Lagos stands out for me and till date NO JUSTICE for him or his family.

Can’t you see that the economic system is failing speedily and steadily. Oh, how much is a dollar today? I dare ask.

Can’t you see that most people from celebrities to politicians, to your colleagues, business men and neighbours clamouring for GEJs return are people who stand to gain. Celebrities who perform for him at every rally. Politicians who have nothing else to feel good about as they cannot successfully run a business and those who know that a more accountable government will find them culpable of crimes and prosecute them. Colleagues whose dads, moms, brothers, husbands, wives or in-laws have political appointments. Business men who daily rape our public sectors, let’s take the ones who are antagonising power reforms for personal gains as a case study. The list goes on and on.

Can’t you see that beyond his façade as a gentle, soft spoken, God fearing dude, that GEJ is as hard as they come? Just two instances, in 2011, he blatantly and unapologetically boycotted debates and now we have to slap GMB for following his lead? (GMB should go debate though). In 2012 GEJ told journalists that he would not declare his assets because he did not “give a damn about it, even if you criticise me from heaven”… How gentle and soft spoken is that?
Can’t you see that if your sister, niece or daughter was one of the missing Chibok girls that voting GEJ would be the last thing on your mind?

Can’t you see that a president who insinuates that they ‘know’ the people behind what is gradually becoming one of the most deadly terrorist groups and does nothing about it is a coward?

Can’t you see that because your village is safe and secure does not mean its okay for our brothers in the north who are being wiped out?

Can’t you see that having an Islamic president stopping freedom of worship is a hoax because having freedom of worship in Enugu, Benin or Calabar while people in Borno, Kano, Sokoto, etc do not enjoy the same liberty under this government is not having freedom of worship?
Can’t you see that without an Islamic president that Nigeria under the leadership of GEJ is gradually falling to Islamic extremism through the BH insurgence?

Can’t you see that the moment you bury your spouse and child, two of your siblings, children or both your parents on the same day due to BH terrorism GEJ ceases to be your hero?

Can’t you see that when it comes to what Christ taught about being a Christian that GEJ is wanting but I will stop here lest I judge.
Can’t you see that there is no need for the extra expenses you incur running your generator or maintaining other alternative power supply?

Can’t you see that some of the monies you spend fixing your cars due to bad roads can be put to other use? Can’t you see that if till now the NNPC audit is shoddy that we need change?

Can’t you see that if there is no structural change, gross police misconduct and human rights abuse will escalate and it’s okay if you pretend that ‘you’re too cool for school’ till a police corporal slaps you.

Can’t you see the hungry, poor, struggling Nigerians roaming around with beady eyes and forlorn expressions? You have eaten, but they are hungry!

Can’t you see that if between 2010 and now we have no power supply, have death traps for roads while billions of dollars are missing from all over that we need serious change?
Can’t you see that there are a million and one reasons why we need change and we need it now.

I make no case for GMB, I do not know him as a leader as I was but a baby when he ruled! I do not know that he (GMB) is the change we need, but, like I had faith in GEJ at one point, I have faith in his vision now, and if after four years I do not like him, then I can argue that we still need change and together we can vote him out but my appeal is this, let’s give change a chance.

Well, if you do not see that, I do and this is my unbiased personal opinion

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.