By Ayodele Fagbohun
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“If the wise refuse to rule, they should be prepared for the rule of the idiots” –Socrates
The much awaited presidential election is only days away. There is palpable tension in the air sequel to unrelenting and protracted crisis of fuel shortage otherwise known as primus motor spirit (pms) and the cashless policy imbroglio unconscionably unleashed on the sixth (6th) world oil producing nation on the eve of the election.
It pricks the conscience of discerning public and curious to note at this juncture as the most crucial and decisive national assignment, the forthcoming presidential election is in the offing and preparation towards D-Day is on top gear and totally irreversible.
To douse the pall of political uncertainty and perpetual unsureness over the country and conduct of presidential election on February 25 and to reiterate the willingness of the president to abide with the oath of office, to leave the stage honourably for an elected new president after his tenure on May 29, 2023.
President Mohammadu Buhari is ever consistent and constant as Northern Star and a born again staunch democrat on his endorsement of APC flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him as “caliph”, the next president.
According to the President, APC flagbearer, Bola Tinubu is not only a strong believer in Nigeria. He has what it takes to make the country better than what it is now.
Buhari, who spoke in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, against the background of alleged cracks in the APC hierarchy ahead of the election, said: “I have known Bola Tinubu for more than 20 years. I will continue to campaign today for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next president.
“He is a committed Nigerian and I believe he will give everything to make Nigeria better. “He loves this country. He is a believer in Nigeria and I am sure he will do everything possible to advance the well being of all of us as citizens. He will hold this country with trust. You should cherish him.”
Well said: That is the high political water mark and climax of the pronouncement of Mr. President having succinctly and boldly clarified and itemized to the nation and outside world, the sterling qualities expected from a true leader that the nation can trust and rely upon.
President Mohammadu Buhari, an elder statesman not given to frivolities, double speak and chicanery. His taciturn and laconic mien can be positively cultivated to boost good and purposeful governance. Mr. President actually captures the mood of the moment what the nation in dire need to move the nation to the greatest height of advancement.
Tinubu as next president will unite and knit together various multi ethnic, tribal and partisan interests and diverse groups in the country.
His pre-eminent Kudos as distinguished former Lagos governor, his well acclaimed generous and cheerful philanthropy among the people will enhance social prestige of his country at home and international arena.
According to a philosopher /king of o0ld, Socrates said in his wisecrack: “If the wise refuse to rule, they should be prepared for the rule of the idiots. The choice is now open for Nigerian electorate to choose a worthy presidential flagbearer who has deployed his God-given talents and endowment to lift the standard of living and bar of governance in Lagos as former elected governor; a fervent and pragmatic protagonist in capacity building of personnel and empowerment of people be on effective at various theatres of public and private lives.
If by any default, we opt for the rule of the political never do well and ineptitude, and allow before our very eyes the rule of the idiots to hold sway in Nigeria ad nauseam, the nation will go into oblivion. God forbids.
On this note, it is ludicrous, inane and silly that the ruling APC and the opposition led by PDP are trading blames and on recriminations over the lingering crisis of fuel shortage and excruciating cash crunch in the banks and in other points of service to transact business without more ado.
This undoubtedly may have brought weariness on the people; devastate the electorate to either lose interest in the significant fast approaching polls or be on the offensive and reprisal and vote out the ruling APC on the alleged poor management of the economy which presumably inflict the present incalculable and untold hardship.
The electorate must pause a little and be more circumspect not to throw away the baby with bath water.
No thanks to the unilateral, myopic and politically induced initiative and naivety of Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele . The monopolies and oligopolies of oil marketers, in the main, are all out to defraud, extort and exploit the poor, down trodden masses for profiteering.
Whereas, the NNPC recently re-constituted by an act of parliament I.e National Assembly, to improve the material well being of the citizenry, either looks askance or unconcernedly.
The NNPC Ltd, in the value chain of distribution of its products must first and foremost be pre occupied on how best to serve the best interests of the people by making oil products accessible to all and sundry.
Unfortunately, NNPC is only manifestly seen to magnificently grease the palms of the privileged few who are the captions of the conglomerate and the complacent cronies and marketers scattered all over the country.
While the privileged few rich and their friends feed fat on the economy; the toiling masses remain mal-nourished, impoverished and the economy in the doldrums.
On second thought, the articulate Nigerians, nay the electorate can easily penetrate the veneer of perfidy, hypocrisy falsehood, lust and desperation for power either fair or foul and outright gangsterism to perpetuate sickening status quo ante.
It is abundantly clear that a cabal is cowardly lurking in the presidency, seat of power to construe a well orchestrated dastardly socio – political plot and logjam to compromise election process, hoodwink the people and subsequently saddle the nation a faux pas and fait accompli.
This is 2023 not 1973. The nation is too sophisticated to brook the shenanigans of another Arthur Nzeribe Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) which threw spanner into 1993 presidential election and eventually halted the victory of the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola as winner of ill fated presidential election.
The people are bound to resist any affront and insult on the collective wisdom of the people with righteous indignation which will be felt, reverberated and re-echoed across the country. It will set in motion a chain of events, the end no one may predict.
As President Muhammadu Buhari on the evening of his two terms of momentous 8 years’ rule of ground breaking milestone, deliberate and conscious efforts should be made to immortalize the undying worthy legacy of progressive legacies for the incoming government to consolidate for posterity.
Mr. President must of necessity be seen to walk the tough talk; enjoy the dividends of democracy; access to basic necessities of life e.g. food, education and housing; guarantee to security of lives and property throughout length and breadth of the federation.
The last but never the least, President Buhari must as a rule overhaul the presidency with a view to purging it of indolent lazy political Lilliputians and riffraffs styled the notorious cabal or mafia regardless of their high educational and scholarship attainment who posed a great threat and drawback on effective governance.
Besides, the cabal casts an aspersion, blemish and ridicule on the integrity of anti corruption crusade and policy which is the trademark of the out going President Buhari’s administration, a stitch in time saves nine.!
