STATE OF AFFAIRS; AFFAIRS OF STATE

At first it was slow-mo and it is now like Buhari is on a steroids-amphetamines combo. Who would have thought it? Derided for much of his first six months in office and even now more derided for moving at a frantic pace against the beasts who have virtually crippled our economy through sheer greed and unmatchable impunity. What can the poor man do to forestall the torrent of abuse and accusations flowing his way? One thing is for sure, I’d not like it one bit to be in his shoes. One’s perception of the way Buhari is conducting the affairs of state depends on one’s perception of the state of affairs. However, I’m bold to affirm that most of these criticisms are a contemptuous case of nit-picking.

Allow me to state my case, please.

As much as it pains me to have to refer to the state of affairs pre-Buhari, I simply have to, if only to draw our attention to the sad situation we found ourselves in. I’m not going into a ‘rage’ mode, I’m past all that, as indeed most forward-looking Nigerians. Would all the financial madness that was prevalent then have been revealed now if Jonathan had remained President? If the revelations, so far, of financial impropriety are not maddening enough to send one into a deep state of anguish, I’d question the sanity of that individual. With the wretchedness of the Jonathan administration now in clear perception, what would Buhari’s detractors have him do? To ignore all that has gone on before and high-five the thieves and pat them on the back?

All these accusations of tribalism and sectionalism simply have no basis in fact, as a matter of fact. If the list of scumbags so far arraigned or being investigated is objectively appraised, it is beyond doubt this is neither a political witch-hunt nor a trivial tribal pursuit. With the Naira in free-fall on the parallel market and the anaemic economy barely showing any signs of recovery, uninformed and/or uneducated minds, and dimwitted cynics, are pointing the finger of blame at Buhari. It is no use conversing or dialoguing with those stale minds because they can hardly see past their noses.

As for the vast majority of Nigerians, what we need to see more of is the revelation of scandalous behaviours of the Jonathan regime and the swift prosecution of those cases. It’s no use having protracted court proceedings regarding cases of glaring financial misdemeanours and Osinbajo should see to it that the judiciary is welded to the new regime of swift dispensation of justice so that funds can be quickly recovered and utilized for the benefit of long-suffering Nigerians, and fund the much-needed rebalancing of our economy.

The only beef I have with the current situation is the letting-off of those crooks being left off the hook once they’ve returned some of their stolen loot. What kind of justice is that? Thieves must be punished in accordance with the law. If someone who stole N10,000 should be jailed for 18 months, why should those who stole billions go scot-free? It is grave injustice and such practice must be discontinued. A clear message should be sent to those intending to follow the same path that graft would be punished in all circumstances.

Nigerians expect the judiciary to depart from the ways of old and play its part in ridding our country of fraudsters in political garb and give hope of a better future to Nigerians and repair the significant damage that has been done to our reputation as a country and as a people. No one should be above the laws of the land and transgressors should be held to account at all times. We should lay the foundation now for propriety in our public and private lives; it is only then that the expectations of a greater Nigeria can be actualized. For me, the state of affairs are affairs of state, and we're all players.

Nigeria needs help and it is only Nigerians that can help her.