23rd February 2019 would be remembered as the day Nigerians matched to the polls ahead of 2019 general elections. It was a choice between over 70 presidential candidates; with two front runners to be reckoned with: an incumbent Muhammadu Buhari of ruling APC & a former vice President, Atiku Abubakar of the opposing PDP.
It was also choice between two slogans of the aforementioned candidates: a vote for Buhari to take Nigeria to the #NextLevel or a vote for Atiku to
#GetNigeriaWorkingAgain. At the end,its the former that prevails over the latter. A tough work & repercussions lies ahead.
Now, 88 days since the elections, its barely 10 days left to the inauguration of the victors. All eyes and ears waiting – and watching. The #NextLevel – until recently – was expected and dreamed to be a political heaven for Nigeria & Nigerians, but with so many controversies and criticisms, there is much love lost – or so it seems.
Masses has been with Buhari all way long in his political struggle since 2003, and has given him all they could offer in the meantime, up to 2015 when victory finally comes to his side. It was expected to be easy; looking at how good a reputation Buhari was having – so far, however, this one time good reputation had faded and waned to so many – perhaps because of a wasted four year first tenure with little to show up for, a tenure that is filled with a blame game and unnecessary excuses.
However, all these and many more did not stopp Nigerians from giving him another chance in the aforementioned elections. Hopeful and confident that the second tenure will be better.
Ever since the elections were over – Nigeria has been faced with a tensed pressure in security – perhaps among many other challenges.
There have been critiques recently, even from diehard Buharists – Rt. Hon Gudaji Kazaure for example – reeling on how things instead of progressing, are rapidly and painfully regressing.
Many consider the “to be selected” cabinet of the #NextLevel to be the catalyst of making or breaking – for good or for bad – the efficiency and
effectiveness of the administration – however, many are left extremely surprised why some “incompetent” strong office holders are retaining
their seats – CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele as a recent example here – even though some time back PMB has claimed that only “people with integrity
and competence will make the list”.
Its hard to convince the masses if Emefiele is competent and have the integrity PMB claimed, because of the allegations he is facing – and the
$2b case of Dasukigate & Diezeni Madueke – among other allegations in the preceded tenure of GEJ.
PMb also warned that “the next level will be tough” – a statement that left many Nigerians annoyed and angered to their feet – which relatively upsets some public figures that takes to media to appeal how bad they felt about the comments and even described it as a “hopeless level”.
The #NextLevel whether takes Nigeria to the #NextLevel of positivity or negativity, will have one thing certain: it will not be the end of the way for politics in Nigeria. Some bad & worse administrations will also come and go.
Regretfully, Nigerians are clearly disappointed with how things are going so far – and in some time to come as it appears.
Unless some panel beatings and repercussions are put in to place appropriately – the next four years will also come and go without fulfilling or getting the effort it is worth to make up for a “failed” first tenure.
That has to be made as quick as possible because struggled Nigerians had given excuses and patience they could no longer bear and therefore feel fed up – or so it seems!.
Muh’d Nasir Yakubu wrote in from Bauchi and can be reached via: Nasiryakub990@gmail.com
08063212474
