From 1999 to 2015, Nigeria was ruled (governed or administrated) by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Quite frankly, many changes were witnessed from the days of President Obasanjo (when salaries of workers skyrocketed, mobile telecommunication became a reality, Abuja city was greatly developed) to President Shehu Musa (when Militants were attended to) to President Jonathan (when the Movie industry boomed and Agriculture began to contribute more to the GDP). Obviously, more than any Nigerian might want to admit, the situation of Nigeria changed significantly (for the better) under the 16 years reign of the PDP.
Just around 2014, the wave of terrorism in Nigeria surged. The capital city – Abuja was not spared from attacks. It got so bad that Nigerians believed that their deaths were caused by the inability of the then Administration to tackle the menace of terrorism in Nigeria. Subsequently, Nigerians voted out PDP and enthroned APC – the new party that was born out of necessity by men and women from many other parties (including the PDP).
APC premised their need for power on the mantra of “Change” – a promise that was intended to affect Nigeria on three major areas:
- Security
- Corruption
- Economy
It is now almost 2 years of this new party in power in Nigeria; and the “Change” has not been really felt by the millions of poor and middle class Nigerians that voted them into power.
Electricity generation is quite low, fuel price is very high, wages and salaries are hardly paid, roads are still bad, kidnapping and armed robbery has not stopped, corruption claims haven’t ceased against government officials, the exchange rate of Naira to Dollar is unbelievably high (500 naira to a dollar); and quite a number of issues that demand quite intervention by the APC-led government.
Beyond doubt, there is a serious need for a state of emergency in Nigeria. This emergency is not for the people or for any sector; rather, for the FG! Since almost all sectors of the Nigerian society is in serious situation; it becomes important that the coordinating unit of government become responsible for the situation of things in Nigeria. I am very sure, many national leaders in Asia would resign their seats if their national situations are as perplexed as that of Nigeria.
Shouldn’t the FG do the needful – accepting their “unreadiness” to provide the required change; and handing over responsibility to any other political party (definitely outside the PDP) to find national direction for this weak nation of ours. In UK, the Prime Minister resigned, haven lost the Brexit Referendum – he sighted his inability to bring Britain out of EU. Is it not proper for APC and PDP to admit their inability at this point to fix Nigeria? I rest my case for now!
