by Ayobami Adekojo

On the 28th of March 2015, the people of Nigeria showed their resentment of the incumbent government by voting for change that brought in the Administration of General Muhammadu Buhari.

The new administration was expected to usher in the Nigerian dream. Nigerians were filled with hope for a new dawn. They were promised change, transparency, respect for human values and economic reforms.

Today, the values that gave birth to the APC have been lost. The APC has become a party where non-democratic tendencies and non-accountability have been allowed to flourish unabated. Institutions of government have become highly politicised and intolerance for those with dissenting opinions has become the norm. Dissent is viewed as disloyalty.

The foundation of any enduring democracy must be the rule of law. Government agencies including the security forces have become political tools and instruments of coercion and of harassment used for persecuting those perceived to be opposed to the Executive.

In an environment of oppression, it is difficult to deliver good governance. Insecurity will thrive. Political and economic reform will be challenging if not impossible. People must have faith in the integrity and character of Government.

So, we as a country, have come full circle. The APC Government has failed to deliver the change that was promised.

Today, some elements are willing to bring the country to a halt for their selfish political interests. There is a real and existential threat to our democracy. Court orders are ignored at will and Judges are operating under the fear of arrest. The legislature as an institution is disregarded and its members are constantly being attacked for performing their constitutional duties.

There is a lot of work to be done. The country is dealing with levels of insecurity not seen since the civil war. All our infrastructures are dilapidated and unattended to. The economy is struggling, and unemployment is at an all-time high.

Nigeria’s problems need more than promises and platitudes. The leaders of the country cannot afford to continue toying with the future of this country. Real economic reform needs leaders with vision who are committed to building a unified country. Leaders who are ready and able to roll up their sleeves, do what needs to be done and be accountable for their actions.

Our country needs political stability and security, our fight against corruption must be objective, not selective. We must invest in building and running effective institutions. All these are essential for investment and economic development.

After much introspection and despite his best efforts as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had to come to the unfortunate conclusion that the APC, as currently structured neither has the resolve nor the ability to deliver on the promise of change. A major point he made, is that Nigeria cannot afford four more years of ineptitude.

The Party itself has become fractured and divided. There is a lack of transparency and accountability. External influences have become overbearing on the party organs. Some members are treated like outsiders. A Party that does not have internal democracy cannot deliver a government that will adhere to democratic principles.

It has become obvious that the APC has failed to learn from history and has squandered the goodwill of the Nigerian people, on whose backs they came into Government.

The Senate President decided to resign his membership of the APC, a decision taken with all the sense of duty and patriotism it deserves.

Dr Bukola Saraki decided to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Ironically, this was a party he led others to leave 4 years ago. However, it has been observed that the PDP, under its new leadership, seemingly learnt from its past mistakes and has done away with those negative characteristics that were antithetical to good order, internal democracy, and inclusiveness. It is the hope of Nigerians that the PDP, in its present form therefore, working with patriotic and committed leadership, will work to regain the trust and support of Nigerians.

Nigeria’s democracy is fragile and must be protected and defended with all we have. This remains the most potent instrument for our national cohesion, growth and development. In 2019 and beyond, our collective energies must be focused on getting Nigeria to work again.Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Let us all stand up and be counted, because Nigeria deserves better. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.

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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