“A year of sorrow or of positive change?”
July 7
On 29th May, 2015, it seemed a messiah had come to fulfil the promise of the All Progressive Congress, which was “Change”, writes Omeye Kenechukwu, 20, a Correspondent from Nigeria, who examines the past year of government and events.
Corruption has eaten deep to the heart and mind of Nigerians, as the oil-rich country seems unable to boost meaningful development since her independence. President Buhari is well known as a lover of anti-corruption programs, right from his first administration in 1985.
We have now marked 365 days since the president has been in power, but sincerely speaking, an ordinary Nigerian cannot testify that there is indeed a positive change in the country. Almost every ministry within the government has been unable to fulfil even ten per cent of its promise to the people.
The analysis is whether the past year in office of the President is really indeed a blessing or a sorrow to the Nigerian people. The labour union going on strike because of a fuel subsidy removal shows the extent things have gone wrong in this West African country. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration once removed the fuel subsidy, which kept the price of petroleum at 97 naira per litre, and yet Nigerians complained because an ordinary Nigerian can’t afford that price. Yet the current price, after President Buhari removed the subsidy, is 147 naira per litre – the highest since independence.
The country is undergoing the greatest hype in the prices of goods and services. A single tomato now costs a hundred naira in many part of the country, while in previous years a small basket cost that same price. Every day, the dollar rises against the naira, thereby giving rise to the decay of the economy.
The security level is embarrassing, as it is very clear that not even a single human being is secure in the country. Boko Haram seems to have reduced their activities due to the relentless effort of the military, yet the uprising of the Fulani cattle herdsmen seems to be a threat to the entire federation. The massacre at Nimbo, a poor community in my state of Enugu, is not only a crime to mankind but to the supreme God. Hundreds of poor men, women and children were butchered early one morning over a conflict between common cattle and farmlands owned by the community.The poor community had reportedly alerted the government about the proposed attack, yet the government did nothing – failing on her main priority of securing the life and property of the people. The Niger Delta Avengers, a new group of militants within the southern part of the country, has yet to be curbed as they have almost succeeded in chasing out oil and gas companies.
A year of indeed results which could predict how the 2019 general election may look, as the APC-led administration has failed Nigerians to date in their term of office. It will be either the re-emergence of the PDP or the uprising of a new political party like the APC – or perhaps total change within the government of the APC.
All I know is that it is not yet uhuru for the present government, as I still have total faith in President Buhari for positive CHANGE in Nigeria.
photo credit: Wahlkampf in Nigeria 2015 via photopin (license)
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About me: I am an undergraduate student studying geology at the University of Nigeria. My ambition in life has been a simple one that concentrates on how to make positive impact in Nigeria and the world at large – for example by ending corruption and putting effort into solving the energy issues facing our planet. I have strong interest in politics, sports and writing.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/
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