Nigeria: Rising discontent Brewing Uprising and dissension

“The country has not known peace since Buhari asssumed power” a Nigerian recently shared with me on phone from Abuja. From widespread insecurity, rising unemployment, violent protests, deadly attacks, rising cost of living, epileptic power supply, to biting economic hardship among others, Nigerians are having it raw under the current administration.

There’s something in the DNA of Nigerians that propels them to strive and survive hardships. In fact, it is said that like bedbugs, Nigerians thrive well only in difficulties. While this is a special divine grace that activates the Nigerian spirit of positive outlook and hardwork to make the best out of any given situation, the philosophy of suffering and smiling can be tested beyond its stretch of endurance.

Even the bible talks about not being tested beyond our capacity to withstand the trial (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13) – when the test beats the limit, there is bound to be some fatal fall in the sense of things falling apart as is the simmering case in Nigeria. The result is a rising public indifference to governance and then rising public discontent expressed through revolts, crimes, armed groups, protests, economic sabotage, unrest and destruction of public properties. This is a theory that possibly explains the sequence of unfolding events as observed over the years in Nigeria.

With not so impressive first term, this second and final term for Buhari will be the greatest moment of trial for his political history. While he has a golden opportunity to make a mark and leave a legacy, proponents of a perpetually delinquent Nigeria from which they optimally benefit, would set up every possible stumbling block on his path. Like Judas Iscariot, most of these proponents dine and wine with buhari thereby disguising their true colours but always seeking for opportunities to gain something by betraying their master. Buhari’s political salvation lies wrapped in his ability to see and separate the weeds from the crops in his cabinet and political allies.

It is also the term for Nigerians to display their impatience with Buhari’s baba go slow style of administration. Every minute preciously counts to Nigerians and so it is said that time na money (time is money). In the face of decades of decay in social infrastructure, tailored sectional dominance, glaring favouritism, constitutional abuses and rapes, selective discrimination and marginalisation, unmitigated economic recession, gross and rampant insecurity, exacerbating material and mental poverty, and epileptic public power supply among other national woes, there is indeed lots of tough bones for Buhari to chew.

It is imperative to recall the loud silence of those who did not vote as well as those who voted for the opposition PDP. The 11 million plus who voted for PDP badly needed a change having suffered tough times under Buhari for the past five years. There was only 4 million difference between PDP and APC. In effect, there is a great desire for change and continuity in equal measure. The number calling for change says a lot about all that is wrong.

Buhari hence has the daunting task of meeting the aspirations of the over 11 millions who at the ballot expressed dissatisfaction with his first term and frankly wanted him back to Kastina. Concerning those who did not vote at all (about 57 million eligible voters), their apolitical posture goes to say that they have no trust in either Buhari of the APC or Atiku of the PDP. The difference between them is the same. The over 70 candidates who vied for the presidency also shows rising agitation that seeks to offer Nigerians a new leadership experience away from the same old people-same old story philosophy that has for long defined the country’s democratic life.

While there is no quick fix to Nigeria’s prolonged problems, Nigerians expect to see genuine and concrete efforts towards a better Nigeria. In this regard, Buhari has to act speedily to meet huge expectations. Surely, there is a political will on his part but it is not enough to have the goodwill – it must translate into concrete actions. He seems to lack the necessary drive to translate his goodwill into working and workable hands. This is where the who is who in his government comes in. If political support and loyalty – and not the good will and competent capacity to deliver – is the consideration for appointments, then Buhari is bound to disappoint the generality of Nigerians to the pleasure of his few cronies.

There are rising indicators of impatience, frustration and dissatisfaction with the Nigerian situation. Recently, Catholic priests protested over the brutal killing of their colleague in Enugu. Recently, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was shamefully humiliated in Germany by his Ibo young brothers. Let’s stay with this two for a moment. This was not the first time a catholic priest died thanks to insecurity but for respected, well formed and informed catholic priests to march in protest in their vestments, is the highest expression of repulsion against the daring security situation.

Concerning the shameful maltreatment of Hon. Ike Ekweremadu in far away Germany by his own people, it suffices to say that charity begins at home. The discontent among Nigerians is so huge that there is no hiding place or tribal support system for government officials who cannot see beyond their nose. What happened to Senator Ike goes beyond Biafra matters and will happen to many other top government officials in different forms within and outside Nigeria If steps weren’t taken in the right direction to sooth the agonising pains of the suffering masses. Insensitivity to the patient and suffering and smiling general attitude of Nigerians has being tested in recent history of democratic dispensation and Nigerians want to let the world know that they cannot be taken for granted forever.

Buhari’s plate is full and heating up in his hands. He needs to be decisive, responsive, objective and proactive. With the recent inauguration of his cabinet ministers at the backdrop of these gleaming situations, the ministers have a daunting task to deliver services that would at least douse the rising discontent among Nigerians. Bullet proof vehicles may not protect them from peoples potential outburst as already being witnessed under various names across the country.

The saying that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown is very true in the leadership of Nigeria and would be real for Buhari in this second term. As Buhari continues as president, Nigerians are anxiously watching and impatiently waiting: would it be business as usual? Would Nigerians be pleasantly surprised by a positive change in the game? Would APC truly take Nigeria to the much publicised “next level”? Many questions are loading and time will rightly answer them. If the answers do not come cristal clear, Nigerians would speak through their actions.

By Fr Livinus Onogwu…

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