By Fani-Kayode
Nigeria is 56 years old
today. Consequently it is time to speak some home-truths and look at where we
are in the scheme of things. It is time to consider how well our government has
fared since coming to power and to compare their record of service to previous
governments that were in the saddle before them. Sadly the score sheet does not
look too good.
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The
rigging of elections, the persecution of opposition figures, the demonisation
of dissenters, the destruction of the economy, the pauperisation of our people,
the introduction of famine, the humiliation of Nigerians coupled with violence,
impunity, aggression, intolerance and tyranny: that is all President Muhammadu
Buhari and his government have served our people since he was sworn in on May
29th 2015.
The
last one year and four months have been the worst since independence in terms
of the violation of human rights, civil liberties and court orders by our
government. We have witnessed unprecedented mass murder, butchery, carnage and
barbarity by well-armed and highly favored Fulani herdsmen and ethnic militias
coupled with genocide and unprecedented extra-judicial killings by our military
personnel and state security forces.
We
have witnessed the resurrection of Abubakar Shekau and the mutation of Boko
Haram into two powerful new factions. We have seen them re-take towns and
communities that they lost years ago and hoist their dirty black flag in parts
of the north-east. Our government has given up on the Chibok girls and we
witnessed the humiliation, insults and physical harassment by security forces
that those who have fought for their return in the BBOG group have been
subjected to in the last few months.
We
have seen the rapid depreciation of the naira, the total decimation of our
industrial, agricultural and manufacturing sector and the destruction and decay
of virtually all our roads, airports, power generating facilities and
infra-structures. Our government has squandered our foreign reserves. Driven
away local and foreign investment. Caused the dollar to fly away. Created an
atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the markets.
Forced
people to spend their life savings and capital just to survive. Reduced many
Nigerians to eating just one meal a day. Caused many to withdraw their children
from school simply because they cannot afford to pay fees. And they have driven
many to depression, suicide and despair. Unemployment is at a record high. The
banks and indeed the entire financial sector is dying because there is no
liquidity. The naira is approaching 500 naira to one US dollar which represents
an over 100 per cent depreciation in the space of one year.
We
are in the middle of the worst economic recession that we have suffered in our
56 years of existence as an independent nation-state. Thousands are being laid
off on a daily basis. Graduate and non-graduate unemployment is at a record
high. Food prices, the price of transport and the price of fuel, diesel and
kerosene have shot up. Finally, we have witnessed the total and complete
dashing of the hopes, aspirations and dreams of the Nigerian people.
