There is no denying the fact that since the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed in February 2013 with the amalgamation of three political parties, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the New PDP; a faction of then opposition party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that the tendency for Nigerians to hope for a better future through the APC has been nothing new.
For instance, when the APC was campaigning across the country ahead of the 2015 general elections, it adopted “Change” as its central campaign theme. Thus, at well-attended rallies, town hall meetings, consultations and on social media, the party tackled the then ruling PDP, for failing woefully to address core security and socio-economic problems of the country.
To convince Nigerians it could change the nearly hopeless situation and offer a better deal, the APC unveiled an ambitious manifesto, arguably one of the most elaborate in Nigeria’s political history, even as the party pride itself to be “A New Party for A New Nigeria,” and adopted as theme for the election manifesto, “Building a New Nigeria”.
In fact, given the fact that Nigerians from one political dispensation to another are used tohoping for a better future through politics and politicians, and therefore see nothing new in promises made by politicians, it was obvious that the APC under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration that lasted for 8 years was unarguably given benefit of the doubt to implement the ‘Change’ it promises in 2015. In fact, despite the promises, little seems to actually change, and not a few people are asking, “What’s the problem?”
It is not an exaggeration to say in this context that words will fail this writer to paint a graphic picture of how the APC, under former President Buhari’s bad leadership disappointed Nigerians despite the pedestal of ‘Change’ mantra on whichhe rode to power in 2015.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing, it is expedient to make reference to Elder Edwin Clark’s statement recently that the Buhari’s administration failed abysmally, lacked direction, and was full of insecurity, and recorded economic collapse.
The elders statesman’s statement was in reaction to the launching of a book titled, “Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023)” written by Buhari’s former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina. The book was presented alongside five volumes of another book titled, “Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Legacy, 2015-2023.”
In his reaction to the highfalutin words chosen by Adesina to embellish the book, and Buhari’s resort to self-praise, the elder statesman said, “What struck me most was the attitude and statement of former President Buhari, who eulogised his achievements as President of the country during the occasion. This, I must say, is contrary to the assessment of the majority of Nigerians of his administration.
“To most of us as Nigerians, Muhammadu Buhari failed abysmally as President. His administration was full of insecurity, economic collapse, injustice, religious bigotry, and lack of direction. The eight years of his administration plunged Nigeria and Nigerians five decades backward. Even his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noted as much in his speech at the time when Buhari was eulogising himself,” he said.
Given the streak of failures recorded under Buhari’s administration, one would have thought that the incumbent government under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership do the needful by correcting the mistakes made by Buhari, particularly as the government is been driven on the wheels of another seeming deceptive slogan called “Renewed Hope”. As it seems, the trouble with Nigeria’s economy has taken another excruciating trajectory so much so that not a few Nigerians are suffering under Tinubu’s nascent administration.
To buttress the foregoing view, it is germane to recall that Muslim organizations in the country, under the aegis of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), recently told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigerians have been suffering in the past months of his administration.
The President of the Council, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Hadiyatullah, stated this at the SCSN’s National Conference in Abuja, with the theme: “Matters Arising from the 2023 Election and Associated Socio-Economic Challenges.”
Hadiyatullah expressed concerns about the plight of Nigerians, especially the masses and lamented over the drastic increase in the price of various items in the country, saying that “The suffering of Nigerians has escalated since President Tinubu assumed office.
“What used to cost 200 naira is now being sold at 2,000 naira. Nigeria’s current state is marked by cash scarcity, unemployment, and economic challenges.”
However, the SCSN president urged Nigerians to repent and turn to God for guidance.
In his address, a former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmad Yerima, speaking on the conference’s purpose, addressed issues such as the review of the 2023 elections and the role of Islamic scholars in society.
Yerima emphasized the dangers posed by individuals falsely claiming to be Islamic scholars on social media, urging Nigerians to be cautious.
He highlighted the conference’s aim to address these challenges and draw attention to the perils of following unqualified individuals who misrepresent Islam on digital platforms.
That Nigerians are suffering under President Tinubu is no more a secret as he in July 2023 appealingly told Nigerians that he was not unaware of the hardship they faced due to the various policy decisions of his administration.
In his unarguable appeal, he said, “Our economy is going through a tough patch, and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle”
“Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help, not hurt the people and nation that I love.”
He noted that the government is working on reducing the burden to make life easier for Nigerians.
“What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us.
“Already, the Federal Government is working closely with states and local governments to implement interventions that will cushion the pains of our people across socio-economic brackets.
“This period may be hard on us, and there is no doubt about it that it is tough on us. But I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All of our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work.”
At this juncture, it is germane to recall that the policy reforms President Tinubu declared on 29 May, 2023 during his inauguration, particularly his announcement of the removal of subsidy on petrol exacerbated the hardship that has lingered from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari for many Nigerians because of the increased prices of goods and services.
Apart from the removal of subsidy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also announced the unification of all segments of the forex exchange (FX) market as part of efforts to engender transparency in the markets and boost investors’ confidence.
Given the foregoing, it is expedient to say that despite promises of ‘Change’ and ‘Renewed Hope’ made by the APC as a party, little seems to actually change. In fact given the intractable situation of things, it is not a misnomer to ask, “What’s the problem?”“Who will save Nigerians?” The foregoing questions are no doubt resonating.
