It has come and gone. 2019 presidential election in Nigeria is now history. In my opinion, no victor, no vanquished. A lot of lessons to learn though. It was a novel experience in Nigeria. We prayed, and God answered. Personally, I had fun. The experience was fruitful and rewarding.
Congratulations to President Muhammadu Buhari and all ‘Buharists’. It will interest Baba to know that those who love him, love him dearly and those who don’t, hate him with an unexplainable passion. They don’t want to hear his name. He is seen as the man who has come to ‘spoil business’ for them. He has been called all sorts of names. Baba go slow, Lifeless man, brainless, clueless, religious bigot, to mention a few. He is different things to different people.Without holding brief for him, yes he was slow because he wanted credible people to work with. He said he needed time to fix things. An average Nigerian’s hands are soiled. We have lost values. Nigerians are in a haste. It is a pity that we are more at home with sharp practices. His ill health gave him the title – Lifeless. I will call him ‘eniti Olorun ko pa’, the one spared by God.
So sir, God has spared you for a purpose. This is my belief. Make sure you don’t waste God’s investment on your life. I also believe that you need to disabuse people’s minds about a lot of negative things said about you. Prove that you are not a religious bigot. We need to be convinced you are in charge. We want to be assured that ‘the cabal’ is not existing. We want it to be obvious that appointments are really based on merit and credibility. No tribe should be favoured. Even those who didn’t vote for you should be accommodated. Your fight against corruption must not be lopsided. Let’s see a good, positive, constructive and consistent fight. We really need it.
This election has set husband against wife, wife against husband, congregation against pastor and pastor againt congregation, children against parents, etc. Some tenants have been sent packing because they did or didn’t support you. Some have lost their jobs. Sibling rivalry has increased. Many relationships built over time have been broken. Some even paid the supreme price, all because of you. An interesting thing happened in my family. My husband and I are on the same page. Same cannot be said about my siblings. I am the youngest. We are five. I was brought up to defer to them. Three of us on a side, the other two on the other side. Each person was passionate about his or her view. An unwritten rule in the family has been no quarrel, no fighting. We have always resolved our differences amicably. Thank God this was not an exemption. So, I was very careful. I will rather not discuss politics with the ‘other group’. My group will discuss freely. It was an interesting time. Some people could not manage the so called division. You can’t afford to disappoint us.
The social media was well ‘Atikulated’ for months. Everywhere has been ‘Atiquiet’ since the Sunday after the election. Some won the election on Facebook. The real winners won with their PVCs. This brings the voter apathy in my side of the country to mind. My driver is from the North. He is better informed than most of the so called educated people from my side of the country. He clutches his transistor radio like a baby (the habit is contagious). He bought one for me about three years ago. In fact, he says that it’s his best friend. He gives me latest information sometimes. He is not on social media, but he is politically aware and active. Something must be done about this apathy. Political education is important.
Alhaji Atiku, you have put up a good fight. Though you did not lose, you have not won. If you intend to serve, and you have positive things to offer, then the people voted against you, don’t despair. It is their loss not yours.You should be happy with yourself. I sincerely wish you well. My main concern was finding a credible alternative to Buhari, who many people thought did not perform (the parameters of performance will be discussed later). Sincerely, you have tried. There should be no hard feeling. If possible, please attempt to launder your image when you are through with court matters. It is necessary and expedient. A good name is better than silver, gold, position and power. It is not business as usual again. Nigerians want a new lease of life. We are wiser and better informed.
To the new comers, you are welcome. You gave us hope and l hope you will go back to your drawing boards. There is a need for proper planning. I see you attempting to climb the ladder from the top. It won’t work. For example, the beauty of the civil service is that officers rise through the ranks. That is one of the reasons the civil service has stood the test of time. It would have been better if you started small and grow thereby. Also, not everyone can be president. We can start from the grassroots. Some of the parties could be merged. You can be stronger together. 2023 is already loading, consult and present a better platform. We know you can do it. Sincerely, some of us are waiting for you. It may take time, but we can get there, if we get it right.
Somebody asked what I stand to gain with my ‘campaign’. That is why I want to tell Baba, no time to waste time again. Please, start now. You can’t afford to let God and about 12 million Nigerians down. It will be a disaster. I told people you promised change not miracle. Miracles are instant. Only God does that. Change is gradual. There is a process and people must be taken through the process. It must be felt, experienced and seen. Sometimes, positive change takes time. It requires a period of waiting. That is when it can be appreciated. Sir, the time to act is now. We want our values back. Good roads, robust economy, good education, affordable and qualitative health care, employment, improved power supply, good life, security of lives and property, impersonality in official matters, to mention a few. Every part of Nigeria must enjoy the dividends of democracy. Also, Information is key. Communicate. Let us know what government is doing per time. Information dissemination cannot be over emphasised. If the people are not properly carried along, they will not appreciate what you are doing. Please, help bring back the good life. We want to be happy. Let’s stop the brain drain. Let’s stop the exodus for greener pastures. Nigeria must be great again. It is possible sir, and you can do it. No time to waste time.
Fellow Nigerians, welcome to the Next Level. When it comes to this project called Nigeria, I am an unrepentant optimist. Nigeria must be great again. We have potential. We are well endowed. We are strategically located. Most importantly, God is with us. Let us be positive. Confess positive. Support this administration. Wish them well. Correct them in love. Criticise them positively. Pray for them. For now, we don’t have a choice. God bless Nigeria, my beloved fatherland.
Oyetubo writes from Abuja.
