Wednesday, July 29, 2015
by Jude Nnadozie on Facebook
I guess it’s wise not to sit idly for too long waiting for dusk… it soon comes and breezes by.
It is much like standing along the highway and waiting for the car in the distance to come to you so you can make out the brand. It takes a while to come, is at your spot for only a split second, and is increasing the gap between you and it the rest of the time.
So did we gain the power to censure our government and, before we would put it to any meaningful use, we lost it.
As we prepare to commission a local refinery, some are out here screaming that Buhari desist from taking credit for it.
As we’re about to receive a pat on the back for the grounds we’ve covered against polio, some are out here screaming that Buhari desist from taking credit for it.
As the Boko Haram onslaught seems to have worsened, some are out here screaming that Buhari take the blame for it.
My dear friends, I do not think that this is how things should go.
With all due respect to Jonathanians, he is out of the ring. He is not coming back. We best get behind our current boxer, and make him our current hero – for we do need a hero.
More…
It is unfortunate if Buhari truly suggested that political reality means some regions of the country getting better treatment than others because of how they voted. It is disappointing. If a glass of water sells for ten naira by the river bank, it will go for a thousand in a desert. That solitary Ibo man who braved the ‘scorn’ of his brothers and voted for you deserves, in the terms you’re thinking, better than the Fulani man who has never thought about voting any but his kinsman all his life.
Sickening too are those who leap to Buhari’s and Jonathan’s defences. When the former seems to crowd his cabinet with those of his own tribe, his fans defend him by saying Jonathan did as much… as they defend his ‘political reality’ statement by saying Peter Obi did the same thing to Aguata Local Government in Anambara State. And I ask, are Jonathan and Obi the models of Democracy??
Those who act upon Social Media vibes could have been misled, I know, because this is an age of malicious lies and unconfirmed news reports. So I have been careful to use the word ‘seems’ here and there, cuz it only seems; it may not be true what I’ve heard or read.
But what I always thought was… being a septuagenarian ought to work in Buhari’s favour, and ultimately in Nigeria’s. By the Constitution he is President, and by age he could call himself the Father of Nigerians. Witch hunt and malice aren’t in the agenda of a father towards his children. Plus, he is past the age of walking with propped shoulders and thinking himself more successful than his peers. Age waters such youthful mentality.
As a matter of fact, a Nigeria as ethno-religiously polarized as the one we have today needs an elderly President who would shunt vengeful allies and aides and go ahead to meet the needs of every citizen as much as he can irrespective of their political affiliations. He has seen it all in this life, and must know that all our acrimonies are a waste of precious energy and the very limited time we have on this earth.
On his part, Jonathan’s disposition wherever he is shouldn’t be one of scorn and mockery laughter, but one of deep concern and a willingness to discreetly offer his advice and inputs wherever and whenever the incumbent needs them. After all, this is Our Nigeria.
As for the myriad of Nigerians who bicker and fight on social media over who was and/or is right, I refer you to another round of the European showpiece called Football that kicks off in less than two weeks. For years we have argued over who’s better or worse… Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Ronaldo de Lima, Zinedine Zidane, Oliver Khan, Jorge Campos, etc. Untouched by and unaware of our folly, these stars have given their best to their teams, and left the scene. But we have simply resumed our foolhardiness over CR7 and Leo Messi. But that’s fine. At least we’ve seen how the rules of the game have preserved the sport so that we cherish it so much even though we do not gain directly from it. But down here we encourage our flag bearers to trample the rules for after all the others have done so.
It is wrong.
As I conclude, may I express my great fear.
Issues amongst brothers in the home could escalate so that their father seeks the wisdom and counsel of his father to address the differences between his sons. Of course, if their grandfather can’t sue for and achieve peace amongst them, then, it might be a lost cause.
Intellectuals and technocrats and no-nonsense fellows get to be ministers and DGs and chairmen and all… they’ll steer their various offices in the best possible ways. Pa Buhari is not just the President, he is the Patriarch… and the balance and love this home needs to prevail are up to him. And how lucky we are that he is a man of proven integrity and unwavering dedication!
I fear that if we fail to achieve a higher degree of social cohesion and harmony under his stewardship, it eludes us forever. Then, Asari Dokubo, Abubakar Shakau, and Nnamdi Kanu would only be little fishes compared to the grotesque sharks that will emerge in the future. That is, if we have a future.
I greet you all!