TheCable

Politicians are now traversing the length and extensiveness of Nigeria, selling lies to our people and those who are illiterate, when it comes to our own version of shallow politics—are buying those lies. From the highest to the lowest levels, within the context of politics, lies are flying everywhere—lies enwrapped in the swaddling cloth of vain promises. When politicians are looking for power, they can promise to change the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria to Accra.

A few days ago, the Secretary to the government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha asked the South-east to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid in order to secure the presidency in 2023. He did not ask them to return his boss to Aso Rock, because he has performed creditably and commendably in the last four (4) years, but because power is sweet in our clime, he wants his boss returned, because of his own juicy position. Till today, our security and economy are still in shambles as they were in the day of GEJ.

Before the SGF was Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). He also said that Yoruba people should work for the second coming of PMB, so that power could return to them in 2023. Same power, retuning to both South-West and South-east people in 2023! Our own version of politics does make intelligent people sound feeblemindedly from time to time. The truth is; Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF) wants PMB to remain in power, not because he loves Yoruba people, but he wants him in power because it is so sweet sitting on three different juicy Ministries. I opine that it is not true that the shortest route to producing a president of Igbo extraction is by supporting and voting for APC in 2019. I am sure Igbo folks are not daft.

Also, Yoruba ethnic group is not foolish and daft as BRF and other politicians think. If truly presidential election determines who wins, why was he sending an ethnic message to Yoruba people? And if we are truly united as a people, does it really matter where the power goes in 2019? I am sick and tired of conflict-ridden and divisive politics. If Nigeria is truly working, anyone from any part of the country can come to power. Who cares?

It was clear to everyone in the country the kind of politics that transpired at the highest level in Nigeria immediately Buhari got to power. His people, northerners fenced out virtually everyone from other part of the country, including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. If you think what I am saying is wide of the mark, you need to go back to what Senator Tinubu’s wife said about her husband and the President. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of BAT said that her husband was trashed after the party won the 2015 Presidential election. The truth is; politics of used and dump is still alive and well in Nigeria. If Tinubu was trashed, do you think politicians care about anyone in Nigeria? I am of the opinion that Tinubu has accepted to work for PMB again, not because he loves either Yoruba people or the whole of Nigeria; he has accepted to work for him because of his own belly and pocket.

Back-tracking a little, when His Excellency Dr Olusegun Obasanjo was in power for eight years, what did he do for South-West folks? We have gone beyond using ethnic messages to campaign, dividing our people, so they can continue to be in power for selfish gains. We want a nation that works. Yoruba people do not want power to return to South-West in 2023, we only want a nation that works. We want a nation that we and our children can all be proud of.

If Buhari hasn’t been President of an ethnic group, these people wouldn’t have been coming out to dangle “Aso Rock” before our people as a carrot. Now that PMB is in power, are northern not suffering? Are they not being killed and kidnapped? What we need is a nation that works, not where the power goes. Also, when they say that power will return to you, it means that our presidential elections have never been free, fair and credible. It means they have been influencing it negatively.

Both Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups are now being deceived to vote for PMB, not so that power can return to either Yoruba or Igbo in 2023, it is so that they can continue to be in power, because they know that presidential election is about number. After using you, they’d surely dump you.  During presidential campaigns, they become humble, but after tying the towel of power around their waist, they become larger than life. When they stand even before Benue people, they would tell them same lie—that power will go to them in 2023, if they work for PMB’s re-election—because power is sweet in Nigeria. Power is used here for personal aggrandizement. Power is used to serve self, not to serve the people.

Once again, who cares about who succeeds PMB? We only want a nation that works for all. Nigeria is clearly not working. Our people are daily dying and suffering. Obasanjo was in power for eight (8) years and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was sending people to the land of the silent ones—on a daily basis while he lasted in office. Now that a Hausa man (from Daura) is in power, the road is being fixed. What will change Nigeria is not when my kinsman is in power. We want a nation that runs on the wheel of breathing systems and robust institutions. That’s all we want!

I thought it was low enough, listening to Boss Mustapha and BRF, but I got shocked—when Professor Yemi Osinbajo took the same reprehensible issue to an all time low.  The vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said and I quote: “If Mr. Buhari fails to return in 2019, it would take a long time for a Yoruba person to get the Presidency.” Either Buhari loses or wins; it does not affect the Yoruba people a hoot. Osinbajo should have told them that he wants Buhari back in office because he wants four more years as the vice president of Nigeria. It is a very juicy office, because he is enjoying every good thing of life for free. What politicians in sane climes pay for, our own are enjoying for free, so who wants to leave office after four (4) years?

Lastly, His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo said that Buhari has performed well and that he deserves another term in office. If this is true, why is he campaigning from door to door, distributing 10,000naira to the poor when presidential election is only a few days away? Remember, money cannot get poor people out of poverty; it can only further impoverish them! He also said: “Now, they are regrouping. These are the people that have ruled for 16years and they say they want to come back again. They are corrupt. Though, it is still difficult because no man or woman can build a house without foundation.” What professor Yemi failed to tell Nigerians is that many of his party men were once in the PDP, so invariably, the PDP and APC are two sides of the same coin!