TheCable

“Didn’t I tell you? During the campaigns, I said Buhari is incapable of running Nigeria’s economy successfully. It’s now 18 months, one and half years since he took over from Jonathan. Where is the change Nigerians were promised? It’s only been a change for the worse. Nigeria is in recession. And the government is clearly confused on how to rebound the economy. Can you see your life now? And I told you o bros. I warned you.”

“My brother, you’ve come again with these your lamentations and complaints. There is still something you’re not getting right. One and a half years is too early to judge a government that was elected to serve for four years. You need to understand that.”

“Ha, understand what? That it’s too early to assess Buhari’s performance? That I should no longer express my honest opinion about the worsening economic situation of most Nigerians under the administration of a man who promised change but has since denounced most of his party’s campaign promises? Honestly, you always surprise me with some of your lame excuses for this government which clearly has no economic plan for the country.”

“Mr. Man, I’m not making any excuses. Or do you think the government is paying me money for this one I’m doing? So, what’s my own? I’m only telling you the fact.”

“No matter what you say, all I know is that this government has been a big disappointment. Rather than improving on the economic gains made under Jonathan’s administration, Buhari’s government has only thrown a spanner in the works. I just knew Buhari wouldn’t be the right choice. You were the ones who voted for him. Jonathan was called clueless but there couldn’t have been a more clueless and incompetent government than this one. We only need to review the records of both of them when it comes to economic management to know who is better. On corruption, as far as I know, all politicians, Jonathan o, Buhari o, are corrupt. The claim that Buhari is not corrupt is only APC packaging.”

“What are you talking about? Which packaging? What records? If you’re angry, better direct your anger at the right quarters. It’s like you don’t understand that Jonathan’s PDP government really looted all of Nigeria’s funds. That’s the main reason why we are where we are today. Moreover, when global oil prices were high, the PDP government didn’t save for the rainy day. Now, oil prices have gone down drastically. We are not earning foreign exchange as before. That’s also a factor in the dollar scarcity in the country. So, stop blaming Buhari for what he didn’t cause. Okay?”

“I should stop blaming Buhari, abi? Issokay. All I know is that he’s the one in charge now. He should take responsibility and work out solutions. He must stop the finger-pointing and buck-passing. Now, tell me, when last did you go to the market? Do you know the prices of food stuffs and everything else just keep skyrocketing? And it’s not that workers’ salaries have been increased although cost of living keeps rising. Under Jonathan, it was not this bad. There was a nationwide flood in 2012 which affected many farmlands; due to Jonathan’s impact in agriculture sector, Nigerians didn’t feel the adverse impact. Have you forgotten? Under Buhari, the country is currently under threat of famine. It’s just crazy. Yet, Buhari and his ministers stay in Abuja wasting our time, believing they are working and all is well.”

“Ogbeni, you are just a wailing wailer. At the end of Buhari’s tenure, you can come back for us to do a review. Until then, hold your peace. Just keep watching. Things will change. You can see I’m very busy now. You also are. So, we shouldn’t waste our time over unnecessary arguments. Buhari will change Nigeria for the better. Hang on to that promise.

“Yes, we’re all busy but this is a serious matter. As we speak, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth rate has slipped down to -2.24 per cent in the third quarter according to the National Bureau of Statistics. It was -2.06 in the second quarter. What that simply means is that the economy is getting worse. Meanwhile, under Jonathan’s government, Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy. Today, manufacturers are groaning as the recession deepens. Abi, you didn’t hear that on the newspaper review even if you have no money to buy papers? Who caused it if not your man and his APC of lies, deceits and propaganda?

“Please, spare me that rubbish. The way you talk, it’s like you can’t even see anything good in Buhari and this APC government.  Your Jonathan was playing with Boko Haram. Buhari has dealt with them. The President is fighting corruption. Even the blind can see that. Can’t you? The fear of EFCC is now the beginning of wisdom for corrupt politicians, justices, businessmen and even journalists. Don’t you get? No public official will dare steal in Buhari’s government. When people like you accuse ministers like Fashola, Amaechi and Dambazau as corrupt, I just laugh. They are not; otherwise the President would have sacked them. I’m sure you’re one of those supporting corruption and defending looters of our commonwealth. And frankly, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Why should I be ashamed of myself? What have I done wrong? In what way am I supporting corruption? Answer me nao. In what way? In case you don’t know, most Nigerians already know that Buhari doesn’t see those who are close to him as corrupt even if the evidences and allegations against them are just too damning. His administration’s fight against corruption is selective. That’s the truth. You said I’m a wailing wailer. I’m not surprised. That’s the style you all use.”

“Which one are you talking about again? What style?”

“Calling people names for no cogent reason. That’s what you and your other Buhari/APC supporters know how to do best. Abusing those who disagree with you just because they ask for better governance from leaders who promised they’ll fix the country if voted into power but have glaringly failed in living up to their promises. So, why are you trying to embarrass me?”

“I’m not embarrassing you. What I’m trying to say is that President Buhari loves taking his time. Although I’ll admit he is slow and steady, he’s only trying to be meticulous so as not to make mistakes. He has great things in stock for the country. I assure you, he will deliver. People like you who don’t love him should just give him more time.”

“Who told you I don’t love our President or want him to fail? Sometimes, you just talk anyhow you like. God will forgive you.”

“It’s like you are very angry today. E ma binu. Don’t be offended.”

“I’m not angry. And you don’t offend me. I’m only telling you my mind. If you say Buhari loves taking his time before doing things, is that why he took five months after being sworn in as President to choose those who would be his ministers? Tell me one Nigerian who was impressed by the choices Buhari made eventually. Name just one. Should I tell you something? Nigeria’s situation doesn’t need a time-wasting President in Aso Rock no matter his or her good intentions. With all I have seen and studied of this administration, I have given up hope on it. And I mean every word of it.

“Why are you giving up hope? Anyway, that’s your choice. People like you only know how to talk but don’t know the level of decadence in the system caused by the PDP. My brother, it would take a while to clean up. That’s the honest truth. Buhari wants to clean up Nigeria. When he is done, Nigerians will thank him immensely. That’s my belief. So, be patient. A patient dog eats the fattest bone.”

“Keep your preaching. You’re not the one who will advise me on the virtues of patience. One thing I just know is that there’s a big difference between being patient with someone who knows what he wants to do and somebody who clearly doesn’t have a clue about what to do but wouldn’t publicly admit so.”

“This man, haba, how can you say Buhari has no clue? Fear God nao! In his fight against corruption, do you know the billions of naira and dollars that have been recovered from former government officials who were PDP chieftains? The funds were diverted from the CBN to private accounts to fund individual lifestyles at the detriment of all Nigerians. You already know the looters. They are your PDP people who caused our current problems. I don’t need to start mentioning their names here.”

“My PDP people? So, your own APC people are not corrupt? Tell me, how was President Buhari’s Presidential campaign funded? He said he borrowed money to get the form of the APC presidential primaries yet said he had N30 million in his account few months later. Who is he deceiving? Where did all the money spent on his campaign come from? If Buhari is really serious with his fight against corruption, he has more explanations to make to Nigerians. Honestly, I’m just fed up with this country. When will we have a genuine and capable leader who will rekindle our hope?

 “Bros, if you’re fed up with Nigeria, you can as well check out of the country. No one is holding you back.”

“I’m not surprised at your words. Shebi, that’s what Buhari said the other day too. Imagine! Meanwhile, economic experts within and outside the country keep saying the government is not doing enough to address the challenges facing the country but the President carries on as if he is deaf to all these.”

“I’m getting tired of your wailings. You too dey complain. Like I said, you can check out of the country if you like. Which country you fit go sef? Do you like UK? France? Germany? South Africa? Where nao? The US you even love, they don’t want you there. Trump has made that clear to immigrants. You better remain in Naija so we work together to make our country great…Trumppppp….chai! That man just says things anyhow. He doesn’t know what he’s doing at all. Like Obama said, let’s just wait and see what becomes of him.”

“What’s your business with Trump and what he says or does? As far as I’m concerned, the same Trump you abuse for not knowing what he’s doing is far better than Buhari. Unlike your man, he understands that governance is very serious business and time is too precious to be wasted. Just look at how, as President-elect, he has started announcing those who will work with him as US President. His goal is to hit the ground running right from his first day in office. Buhari’s five-month delay in appointing his cabinet, if you ask me, was the biggest mistake of his government so far. That decision, or if you like, indecision, really messed up the whole economy and fundamentally contributed to what is happening now. It was a costly and unpardonable error.”

“My broda, everyone makes mistakes. May be that was an error. However, by delaying the appointment of his ministers, don’t you know Buhari made savings for the country? Bros, always look at the other side. Try and be fair at all times.”

“Savings ko, savings ni. What’s the value of such savings compared to what it is now costing the country especially the perception of lack of direction which that action sent to the international community which led to series of divestments by foreign investors?”

“Leave that matter my broda. Blame the PDP. No matter what you say, Buhari will complete his four years in office and contest for a second term in 2019. And you know what? He will win.”

“Win what? I pray he doesn’t. Left to me, Buhari will never get a second term. I believe Nigeria deserves a better President. But a people deserve the type of leaders they get. It’s left for Nigerians, the men and women and youths on the street who feel the brunt of Buhari’s under-performance, to decide whether they want to continue groaning and suffering under his government or search for a better alternative in 2019.”

“2019 is still more than two years away. Nigerians need to be more patient. The change Buhari promised will be felt in 2017 and 2018.”

“Is it after the poor die of starvation? Anyway, na you sabi. I’ve said my own. I just feel the worsening economic situation in the country under Buhari’s government is too serious for all well-meaning Nigerians to keep silent about. The government must wake up and deliver the change it promised. That’s the main point I’m trying to make. I know you belong to the President’s party. Discuss these issues with your leaders at your meetings. Please, let me quickly go and buy petrol for my generator. I’ll be back soon.”