Pendulum; Four Years After, We are Back to Square One By; Dele Momodu

Fellow Nigerians, how time flies indeed. About four years ago,
we went through this very ritual, though the election was shifted
by six weeks, for reasons we believed was an excuse to get the
ruling government better prepared to consolidate its grip on
power.

Before long, the six weeks arrived, and there was no hiding
place. Even as I write this, many doubting Thomases still believe
the APC government is not sincerely ready for today’s Presidential
election and that it may still spring a surprise on us. Thus, there
have been unconfirmed stories of the elections being postponed for
a matter of days because of logistic problems. For my own part, I
doubt that the authorities will act in such a cavalier manner,
particularly as there are numerous local and international
observers and world media around. All eyes are on us

As you know already, my people are never short of conspiracy
theories. These have been fuelled by strange events and activities
that are occurring very close to E-Day! For example, there have
been reports of sporadic fire outbreaks in a few INEC centres, very
strange indeed when one considers the proximity of such fires to
the election date. However, I have not seen much coverage
explaining the magnitude of the respective conflagrations. We have
also read reports of some sample ballot papers being found inside
many sacks in Kano. Again, no one has come out to explain what any
sane human being could be doing with sample ballot papers. The main
thing is that PDP is being treated to mind-games in this
high-stakes plot, the end of which no one can predict.

Say what you will, I choose to trust two key people in the whole
of this election saga. The first is the Chairman of INEC, Professor
Mahmood Yakubu, who has already attained the peak of his academic
career and would not want to taint and end his distinguished life
as a fiendish villain despised by all and treated like a maggot. So
far, Professor Yakubu and INEC have managed to acquit themselves
well in the preparation and run up to these general elections. They
may have blotted their copy book particularly with regard to INEC’s
role in the Osun State governorship elections but as this is one of
the election cases currently trundling through the courts, I will
say no more. It would be the height of foolishness and
foolhardiness on his part to lower the bar as set and measured by
what his immediate predecessor, Professor Attahiru Jega, achieved
with a resounding ovation, barely four years ago. I refuse to
imagine that Professor Yakubu would sacrifice his personal
reputation and remarkable life, for politicians whose lives have
almost expired.

Two. The other important man I choose to trust, almost blindly,
although I know little or nothing about him, is the new Acting
Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who recently took over
from the querulous, cantankerous and rambunctious Ibrahim Idris who
fought more battles against real and imaginary enemies than he
tackled the horrendous security challenges in the land. I have
taken time to watch and study Adamu, as meticulously as possible,
in the short time since he has been appointed acting I-G. and I’m
reasonably convinced that he is educated, intelligent, smart,
charismatic and cosmopolitan. I am unsure about some of the
decisions he has taken, one relating to the re-deployment of
Commissioners of Police in Ogun State. It seems to me that this
decision is in good faith and is made because of the disgraceful
way in which street urchins and thugs were brought into the arena
to hurl stones at the President and other APC leaders during the
Presidential rally in Ogun State. This was a remarkable show of
shame orchestrated to serve the interest of an opposition candidate
and shows the real tragedy that has befallen APC, as the general
elections loom. It is inconceivable that the Police would not take
steps to ensure that the mayhem that occurred that day is not
allowed to repeat itself during the elections. For me, it would be
a calamity if it turns out later that I have wasted all these
superlative adjectives on another recklessly irresponsible police
officer. It is always a pity seeing some overzealous people throw
decorum to the winds in order to please a god with feet of clay.
Time will tell.

For whatever it means, and because I bear him no grudge, I have
said it numerous times, and reiterate, that I personally like
President Muhammadu Buhari. His personal attributes particularly
his discipline and abstemiousness are worthy of emulation. He has
demonstrated in the past that he is a credible person, although
that has been put to question by some of the actions that his
government has recently been taking. There is a hint of desperation
to cling to power which does not augur well for our country or
indeed the President himself. I therefore will wish, and pray, that
President Buhari meant every word he uttered in his various
promises to the nation that he’ll execute free, fair and credible
elections starting from today. I have no reason to doubt him. He is
acclaimed as a man of integrity. This is the time for him to prove
that he is indeed a man who is passionate about Nigeria and means
his word that the country will not be broken up and Balkanised. God
has been very kind to President Buhari and his family. He
practically returned from the dead less than two years ago and has
somehow managed to steer the ship of State from then till today.
Nigerians have not complained too much about the situation they
found themselves. Rather, as is typical, they prayed for the
restoration of good health to their President and their prayers
were answered. Therefore, if Nigerians reject him at the polls, in
a free and fair contest today, or whenever it pleases the almighty
INEC, he should thank Allah for the uncommon opportunity and grace
given to him for the second chance to serve Nigeria as it’s supreme
ruler. He should go home in peace, to enjoy quality time with his
gorgeous wife, beautiful children and adorable grandchildren. The
Presidency is nobody’s personal property or fiefdom. He should take
solace in joining the commendable and enviable company of other
incumbent Presidents in Africa, like Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria
and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, who made no fuss before accepting
defeat in good faith, no matter the secret pains. President Buhari
should remember to call his successful opponent, most likely, Atiku
Abubakar, and offer his best wishes. I promise, this gesture will
turn out to be an icing on Buhari’s cake for final retirement. His
apotheosis would also have been guaranteed instantly.

On the other hand, if Atiku Abubakar, fails in a free and fair
contest, he should accept his destiny with equanimity. I can
understand that it would be a difficult time for him because it has
been a long arduous journey for him to eventually land the
presidential candidacy and ticket of a mainstream party. It is
natural that he and his supporters will feel very disappointed
having worked extremely hard to defeat and unseat President Buhari.
Atiku should take solace in the fact that he has fought a good
fight. His campaign has proceeded in a decent manner and he has
concentrated mainly on the issues and not allowed himself to be
dragged into the gutter politics that has sometimes been employed
against him by some of his more overenthusiastic and fanatical
opponents. Atiku must accept that in every contest, only one person
can win. As long as the election is free and fair enough, the
over-all interest of the country must be considered. Besides, there
are remedies already embedded in the electoral act if there has
been any unfairness. Justice may tarry, but it will come
eventually, no matter how much people may try to manipulate the
system and the judiciary.

My only worry is about President Buhari’s footsoldiers. From
their utterances and body language, it is obvious that they are
spoiling for war and are only ready to go down fighting. They do
not seem to care about the outcome of free and fair elections as
long as their candidate does not lose. They have boisterously
announced to the world, and the President himself has echoed them,
that no one can unseat him. That statement may be considered
condescending and outrightly arrogant and capable of pouring petrol
into the raging fire.

This is very sad because only four years ago, we witnessed the
public ignominy suffered by Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe who was
busy throwing tantrums like a baby while results of the contest
between Buhari and President Jonathan were being announced. It was
such a show of shame. Why would the government that came in after
that disastrous melodrama repeat the same nonsense? Indeed, on
reflection, it seems to me that this Government has in recent times
been following the same path to perdition that the PDP and Jonathan
followed towards the end of that administration. It is like history
repeating itself. There is a surreal element of déjà vu playing
out. It is my hope that the same silly season and scenario does not
repeat itself come the final collation and announcement of results.
Nigeria cannot afford such shame and indignity again.

What is wrong with some of the young folks in APC who behave as
if they can’t find other things to do expect government work? And
because of their own personal avarice and self-aggrandizement, they
are unconcerned about the greater good of the greater number of
people and their country. No one should ever think of setting
Nigeria on fire again. Nigeria has been too kind to these people,
and they should, please, leave Nigeria in peace and not in
pieces.

From where I stand, I can see very clearly that whatever
happens, whenever this election is held, now or in the near future,
the ruling government is clearly in trouble and the ruling party
has virtually collapsed, with almost no hope of redemption in
sight. A house divided against itself that still wishes to stand
tall may be mere wishful thinking. APC has abdicated governance and
its leadership has started behaving like Emperors and conquerors.
The in-fighting is so much that we no longer know who is actually
in charge. In all honesty, how can a party that can no longer
direct its own affairs, and a President who seems to be clueless
about how to maintain party unity, discipline and loyalty, and is
apparently not in charge of virtually anything, ask for people’s
votes in good conscience? Such a party cannot deliver good
governance, much more the change that was promised four years ago.
However, it is ultimately the people’s choice as to which road they
want to traverse.

From Lagos to Ogun to Adamawa to Imo to Rivers to Zamfara to
Kaduna to Delta, it has been one tale of woe or the other. And it
all boils down to the refusal of party chieftains to act as true
democrats. What is worse, the party has rubbished some of the key
figures that brought it to power, many of who have since returned
to where they came from, PDP. The major assets that brought Buhari
to power have all collapsed and it mainly liabilities that can be
seen all around.

The day of reckoning is here. The People will have their say.
The contending gladiators must also ensure that the People must
have their way. Their choice must prevail no matter whose ox is
gored. Nobody is bigger than Nigeria.