Although the state of the country has never been that rosy in the past, yet, it has never been this worrisome too. Therefore, following the antecedents and present trend of the Nigerian politics, Nigerians need not be told that the tune of the Nigerian political music has changed; therefore, the dancing step must change too. The tune of the Nigerian political music these days are no longer promising and gladdening rather very worrisome and confusing. As it is, these days, naira devaluation, economic recession, austerity measures, drop in foreign reserve, escalating unemployment, outrageous and incomprehensible degree of corruption, breach of peace and order with impunity, all manners of embezzlements and lack of accountability, the list can go on endlessly, are the order of day.
Lovers of Nigeria which includes members of the Buhari Southeast Network, are leaving no stone unturned in making Nigerians realise that change is now inevitable if Nigeria is to emerge from its present state of both economic and leadership woes.
The network is reminding Nigerians earlier to shun all manoeuvres capable of distraction, like what prevailed in the 2011 presidential election when the people derailed and threaded the bush instead; when they preferred the funeral service to the chieftaincy ordination; when Buhari, a better choice presented himself to redeem and lead this great nation to greater height but Nigerians failed to take advantage the opportunity provided.
The Buhari Southeast Network is of the opinion that had Nigerians objectively and wisely cast their votes in 2011, they would have today been grateful and thankful to themselves for doing so. They have now realised that their failure to have voted Buhari was such a fundamental and ever regretful mistake, though not impossible to correct in the 2015 elections.
The network warns that issues of religion or ethnic affiliation and origin should not inform the voting pattern of any well-meaning Nigerian this time, as this has always been the trend of deceit used by the some selfish Nigerians to divert and distract the minds of the masses by using both religion and ethnicity as a tool to deceive and manipulate the masses’ line of reasoning and voting. Buhari may be a Muslim, but he has never shown or displayed any act or intention to indicate that he has only the interest of his fellow Muslims at heart more than he has for other religions. Buhari has always spoken as a concerned Nigerian having and placing the interest of all Nigerians above every other interest, therefore, should not be branded a biased leader. People like Buhari have put behind all that is believed to divide us and embraced all that unite us as one and indivisible nation, Nigeria.
Unlike other past leaders, no one can boldly point an accusing finger at Buhari as one of those past leaders, who had clandestinely enriched themselves; the non-corrupt nature of Buhari is evident in his very moderate and non-ostentatious lifestyle. Buhari can confidently challenge anyone to a debate on both corruption and self-enrichment any day, anytime, anywhere.
It is both heart-warming and a welcome development to see the overwhelming support of the Nigerian electorate for Buhari as the best prospective leader Nigeria desperately needs at this time of its economic and leadership turmoil. Nigerians have come to understand and realise the stance Buhari took during his short period of leadership, when he insisted that discipline and accountability must be inculcated and made an indispensable part of the leadership of Nigeria if Nigeria must strive.
However, some less-informed Nigerians still misunderstand the intention of this visionary and selfless Nigerian and few selfish mischievous Nigerians are constantly trying to seize one opportunity to poison the minds of Nigerians, labeling him as they wish and as it suits their selfish interests. But thank God that these same Nigerians have now realised and seen the good qualities and good intentions of Buhari, and have resolved never to be distracted, deceived or listen to any misleading and manipulative information or rumour mongering by anybody to discourage them from supporting Buhari as their preferred presidential aspirant this time. Thank God also that Buhari himself has been motivated by his own passion for the country.
He has heeded the call of Nigerians by making himself available for the presidential race. The decision to vie for the presidential seat has finally paid off on the December 11, 2014 by his emergence as the APC presidential ticket bearer for the 2015 election, and there is nothing stopping him from ascending that seat come 2015. Current reports show that the masses are solidly behind him, and that such support is now intensively increasing day by day since his victory at the APC presidential primaries and as the 2015 election draws closer. Reasons for the masses’ ceaseless support for Buhari is that he is the kind of leader, who will both rescue and restore the Nigeria’s ailing security and economy woe before it is too late. This is exactly the type of president and leadership Nigeria needs now, nothing more, nothing less as Nigerians have sworn not to settle for anything less.
No doubt Nigerians could still recall that during Buhari’s short period of leadership, every government official was an embodiment of discipline as they knew that Buhari as the leader then, never compromised with issues of discipline, responsibility, accountability, due process, due diligence, unity and security of the nation, Nigeria. A president like Buhari will certainly neither initiate nor condone the level of abuse of power by any arm of the government as being witnessed in Nigeria leadership today. A leadership under Buhari will have a zero tolerance for any abuse of due process, embezzlements, insurgency, misappropriation of funds, etc, therefore, Nigerians have sworn and pledged their support and loyalty for him both unflinchingly and unwaveringly.
Prince Peter Akubo