On January 7 2014, the world sadly witnessed another barbaric and cowardly attack by terrorists on innocent people, killing 12 people, journalists and police officers. The world rightly came together to condemn this despicable act. On 11 January 2014, millions of people marched in Paris including 40 world leaders in a unity rally to honor the victims of the terrorist attack.
About 6000 km away from Paris, another horrendous act occurred few days earlier. An estimated 2000 people were slaughtered in Baga, a village in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. Lots of people have been wondering why the world ignored and didn’t give this massacre the attention and uproar it deserves. The simple explanation is that the President of our country doesn’t car; so why should the world care?
It is UNEXCUSEABLE that our President is yet to condemn the Baga massacre but he has condemned the Paris attack. He is busy campaigning for re-election while innocent Nigerians are being killed daily, with little to no response from the government. Our country has never been this divided; tension in the polity is so high and sharp that no one can predict what will happen post next month’s election. The president, in a desperate attempt to test waters for his re-election bid, finally visited Borno State under the guise of Remembrance Day. However, it’s too little too late to show you care Mr. President; we surely know the reason you’re visiting now is because you want to get the votes of Borno people.
Sadly, I was among the people that voted for the incumbent in 2011. I was among the people that were deceived by the famous “I have no shoes” speech. After 6 years of ineffective and weak leadership, he is now asking for an additional four years to do what? Finish killing the country? If he couldn’t move the country forward in 6 years at the realm of leadership, what more can he do with additional four years at the mantle of leadership but put us in more mess? Terrorism has become the norm in our country (don’t let me start about corruption under this administration).
When we think things cant get any worse, the presidency never fails to surprise us. The irresponsibility has tickled across to different agencies now; our police force is not only an enforcer of law but an interpreter as well. The State Security Service is not only the primary intelligence agency in the country but also is an avenue for witch-hunting opposition members. Whenever you criticize the government, the presidency or PDP calls you a member of the opposition or alleges that the opposition is sponsoring you. You are a good or patriotic person only when you praise or support them but unpatriotic and divisive when you disagree with them or give constructive criticism
As Nigeria Decides next month, it is imperative in the interest of our dear country that we vote for change on February 14, 2015. We can’t have another four years of this mess of a leadership, a directionless form of government. Here is to hoping for a violence free election.
Al Jazeera estimated around 10,000 deaths from Boko Haram attacks in all of 2014 but over 2,000 death already in the first two weeks of January. May the souls of all the innocent people we have lost in Baga (#I am Baga) and other villages rest in peace and May Almighty Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the loss. Amin
It’s my hope and wish Nigerians rally behind Buhari and elect him to the mantle of leadership in our country. I am more than convinced that in the persons of Gen. Buhari and Prof Osinbajo that Nigeria is in safe and able hands.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Fahad is a Hult Global Ambassador and a 2015 MBA candidate at Hult San Francisco Campus. He is a firm believer of the unity and oneness of Nigeria.
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