Between 2007 and 2015, Nigerians enjoyed tremendous peace and tranquility; they went to work and traveled unmolested; they had money to buy whatever they wanted and attended to social functions as they deemed it fit; there was professionalism in the security agencies with promotions and postings carried out without bias. The dollars exchanged for a reasonable sum and those who had children overseas could scout for dollars and pay for their school fees. There was nothing to show that hunger was rife; there was neither starvation. Above all, Nigerians were not thinking about fear and insecurity—neither threats of being killed right in their homes. But before the elections came, the All Progressive Congress Party (APC) campaigned vehemently for “change”. They said they were going to make Nigeria better and many believed them. They said they would reduce charges on crucial social amenities and even build more hospitals and roads. Nigerians believed and voted overwhelmingly for them to come into the office. Now six years on, the entire nation is engulfed in fear, trepidation, paralyzed by hunger and starvation; never before has the threat of sudden death so rife and even insecurity. To cap it all, this is the era that protesters were harshly gunned down without pity! This is not to take into recognition the spate of increases in very important social amenities like electricity, petrol, and DStv—anything that has to do with the people’s welfare is now out of reach. The dollars are now a scarce commodity, necessary personals due for promotions denied; service elongation now the vogue; anything upside down is allowed; the IPPS has further crippled the civil service; favoritism suddenly assuming monstrous proportion not to mention ethnic and religious bigotry; essential items are almost out of reach and now people –youths are out there looting—to prevent starvation! What has happened to the All Progressive Congress Party? Do they still have any more to say? These are some of the ironies of life. Yet some people would still call themselves the national leader of what? This is the arrogance and insensitivity that characterizes this party called the APC! Suddenly no one hears the acting chairman speaking anymore; this is unfortunate coming so soon after the disastrous outing of the former arrogant and shortsighted chairman. How can in the wake of disappointment, depression, hunger, and starvation somebody would still have the temerity to call himself the Jagaban? In the face of the avoidable death of innocent Nigerians who craved for better living? This is as preposterous as it is heartbreaking. Who will imagine that in the year 2020 when all civilized countries are thinking of prosperity, Nigerians are threatened with civil war and destabilization? Is there still anything left to salvage from the APC? Maybe this is the change they promised.
