Dele Momodu has joined other Nigerians in reacting to the postponement of elections by the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC).
The
media personality who had earlier persuaded the electoral commission’s
chairman to react to rumours of the postponement of elections, stated
that he pities the pity the foreigners, media crew, election monitors,
who are already on ground to work.
He tweeted;
He
further buttressed his claims in an article titled ‘Pendulum: Four Years
After, We Are Back to Square One’. Read the article below;
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.
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