President Jonathan has a challenging task at hand going into the
election year. If he and his party think, they can rely on the power of
incumbency they might be in for the shock of their lives. It is hard to
predict what the electorate has in mind, but the youths’ frustration
and disappointment are quite evident. I would simply say they are angry!
I have read several comments on social media and online platforms, and
about 85% of the youth population is not happy with this government.
Despite the high expectations, nothing much has been accomplished yet.
Mr. Jonathan’s ‘snail speed’ approach has not helped solve any
problem; in fact, it has created many more problems. This does not
necessarily mean he is insensitive, it could come down to those working
under him, and it is detrimental to him as a person and his government.
The Jonathan government is known to react to situations slower than
it should whenever the need arises; it is like a loaded truck that can’t
turn swiftly as a car would.
The first was the issue of the kidnapped girls that took the
government two weeks before it was jolted to react after the world had
condemned the abduction by the boko haram. The most-recent one is the
deadly Ebola virus disease where the federal government was slow to take
a decision to close the boarder to travellers from infected countries.
Sometimes Boko Haram issues warning before any attack, nevertheless, the
security arm of government does nothing to avert the loss of lives as a
result of killings.
With the spate of bomb blasts in Kaduna and Kano few weeks ago, it
has almost become the norm to expect such horrible and bizarre
occurrences. The issue sparks concern from the government and the
people. It has become precarious for people to move around, especially
in the northern part of Nigeria as innocent lives have been lost. It is
believed Boko Haram is responsible for those bombings even though they
have not publicly claimed responsibility.
The recent bomb blast in Kaduna could have thrown Nigeria into
turmoil had the Bomber succeeded in killing their primary target-
Retired General Muhammadu Buhari, who happens to be a former military
Head of State. That, however does not suggest that those lives lost in
the bomb blast are not indispensable, they are equally important
citizens.
May the souls of those who died in the incident rest in perfect peace.
However, what bothers me most is the fact that the last few suicide
bombings in Kano were reportedly carried out by teenage girls. I just
hope the abducted girls from Chibok have not been drafted to killer quad
of booby trapping by the Boko Haram.
It is more than a hundred days since the girls were forcefully
‘plucked’ from their loved ones and moved into a location believed to be
Sambisa forest. A hundred days are enough for those criminals to
transform the innocent girls to whatever they want. It is possible that
the girls have been brainwashed into believing that they are fighting
for their God.
Just as Nigerians keep calling on the government to do something
different and urgent to ensure the release of the abducted girls, the
outbreak of Ebola virus seems to have taken more attention now than the
campaign to #BringBackOurGirls. While Ebola outbreak is of great concern
to every individual because it does not have a vaccine to cure it, it
is also of great importance to ensure these girls are rescued.
The Ebola Virus disease is the deadliest in my opinion; it has no
vaccine but is preventable. I see it more deadly than HIV virus given
the pace at which it claims lives. If well handled and nipped in the
bud, the virus could be a forgotten matter in no time. You would agree
with me, however, that Boko Haram has killed many innocent citizens than
Ebola, and it seems as though there’s no possible solution to solving
this problem that has been a threat to every Nigerian.
People think that Ebola is puffed up which may lead to great
confusion and commotion if not well understood. I disagree, Ebola
menace is not exaggerated; in fact there is inadequate sensitisation,
awareness and orientation about it. The people in the villages do not
have enough information about Ebola and how to prevent the disease
should it spread to rural areas.
While Boko Haram and Ebola are threat to lives, the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) led government has been a threat to the main
opposition party, All Progressives Congress APC, this is the only area
the Presidency know how to react swiftly. Government machinery has been
unleashed on the opposition governors and right now there is fear of the
unknown in the opposition camp. Now it seems the only way forward is to
decamp to PDP, like Chief Femi Fani-Kayode whose EFCC charges were
dropped after his ‘return’ to PDP.
However, there are some surprises I think might happen before 2015
election that could boost President Jonathan chances of winning the
election; the Government might tend to make sure the abducted girls are
rescued shortly before the election. I mean; he could do this to score
cheap political points but in the end, the parents and the people of
chibok will be happy and relieved.
The power lies on the hands of the Nigerian people. They have to make
a wise decision of either giving President Jonathan another term in
power or there is a need to change the regime. Security of the Nigerian
people stand as the major concern that President Jonathan faces as the
2015 general elections draws closer. Since the Boko Haram struck during
his regime, he will have to prove that if he goes back to power, that
would never happen again. The threat of Ebola will be an added issue and
will determine how the election goes. It is up to the Nigerian people
to put politics away and not let these issues divide them.
The Islamist terror
group, Boko Haram, has routed Nigerian troops from four towns in Borno
and Yobe states, both in Nigeria’s violence-plagued northeast that is
the epicenter of the group’s activities.
