By Livinus Okpala, Enugu
When you deploy tricks to deprive someone of something valuable that is a scam. When it becomes a trend, then it is a problem. Scamming means a stratagem for gains—even if false. They can come in different forms: as politicians or as money changers; one thing is however certain: they operate in full confidence. Politically, Nigerians have been assured repeatedly by their elected leaders of providing dividends of democracy; over time it all turned out to be a hoax. When they get into office they assume a different color and behave as though they are presiding over slaves.
When PDP fell in 2015, Nigerians hoped that the APC which mouthed “change’ as their slogan was going to be the real deal. They elected a president whom they thought was up to the task. Incredibly, that has turned out to be a mirage. Instead of redemption which they all hoped for, it is now despair and frustration. Sadly, Nigerians are going through the worst form of governance ever seen or produced by any of their previous leaders. Inflation is high, prices have gone up, utilities tariffs getting hiked increasingly while hunger is rife; no one is spared including dealers of petrol products with kerosene selling for an astronomical N700.
Worse, nobody is there to explain or give assurances. From the highest quarters the name of the game is mum. Dumfounded Nigerians can’t explain what is happening. It all looks like a dream. Words would fail you in trying to situate this present leader. Whichever angle you approach him, there is nothing to write. He may well be beyond description. Heartbroken Nigerians are so confused, the hopelessness of today baffles them. Government officials boast openly that they can do and undo without fear of being questioned not to talk of being arrested. As a result, governance has been reduced to child’s play.
The same set of ministers that began with Buhari are the same about ending with him. Buhari seems lost as to what to do. Infact he really may not know what to do. Those he promised in the past, he has forgotten. Many APC faithful who fought for him have been left in the lurch. They are wondering how they got it wrong! No wonder there is widespread disaffection. After only 7 years, Nigerians are gasping for breath and according to feelers the prayer is for 2023 to rush in for a merciful end to this APC administration. Not only is the fear in the land horrible, so also economic and social paralysis. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t have posed a problem since a leader who knows his onions would reverse slide.
Buhari can succeed in any other act, but his one sided policies cannot that appears to have alienated Nigerians. Thankfully, it will be over in another few months, which is why people are asking: is the APC a party of scammers? There appears to be nothing on ground to justify all the borrowings so far. Coupled with the disastrous outing of the new APC Chairman senator Adamu Abdullahi in less than 3 months in office, you want to be wondering if we are not having a scam on our hands.
