What if the president was a southerner? Why is Buhari still in his position when there's more than enough reasons for him to either willfully resign, be impeached by the House, or forced to resign by the people? Why do Nigerians continue to exercise restraint under the worst government since 1999, than they did under Goodluck Jonathan whom many have queued up to apologize for betrayal? Are the people under a spell, or are they simply bent over, and would rather endure suffering than fight for their rights?
The pains of last Saturday’s gruesome killing of 78 innocent farmers by Boko Haram, is still fresh. However, those who expected some kind of mass resignation from the Buhari administration for obvious lack of capacity to address challenges facing the country, will by now, feel disappointed.
Perhaps, the Buhari Presidency knows the people too well, that instead of caving to the mood and doing the needful, they instead, released a statement faulting the victims who are no longer alive, thereby increasing the pains of their loved ones who by now, have probably rained curses on those they voted to power, but who failed to protect them.
As a matter of fact, local government elections were conducted in the same Borno State, a few days after Boko Haram once again, reminded Nigerians that they have no leaders in the country.
The blaming of the victims, and conduct of elections while the country mourns, tells you all you need to know about the lots we call leaders in the country.
It comes as no surprise however, since the Buhari administration is known for passing the buck instead of taking responsibility for its failings. Right now, it is hoping that the recent attack gets as few attention as possible, so that like in the past, Nigerians quickly calm down and move on.
A little search on Google with the words "killings under Buhari", would surprise you how much tolerance Nigerians have for the current government, and why our leaders do not take the people seriously. Every attack causes outrage, but then life soon return back to normal until the next breaking news. What has really changed?
It is true that Buhari was rejected in the last presidential election, but had to force himself on us. How he did it and was able to get away with it, also explains why Nigerians might not see light at the end of the tunnel anytime soon.
Former heads of states have spoken, Sultan Abubakar is now constantly in the news condemning leaders for failing the people, groups across the North have been releasing statements against the Buhari's government. The whole country has been talking about how bad the current government is. Yet, things only seem to be getting worse like the Sultan recently warned.
What now?
In the animation movie 'A Bug's Life', the ants have had to serve the grasshoppers until they realized the power of numbers and determination.
The last time I personally think a government felt threatened by the power of numbers and will of the people, was during the 2012 "Occupy Nigeria" protest led by Buhari, Bakare, and others, to force a reversal of the decision of the Jonathan administration, to end petroleum subsidy.
The Buhari administration obviously knows what it takes to force a government to cave to the wishes of the people, and thus, decided to rule with an iron hand, to instill fear, and weaken the people through hardship and other means.
So far, the oppressive strategy by the despot, worked quite well. Buhari was able to achieve this by ensuring those in charge of the nation's security architecture, are loyal buddies. This should explain why Buhari struggles to shake up the security system in the country despite calls to replace his service chiefs. They are doing exactly what he wants!
Elder Statesman, Pa Ayo Adebanjo once said the reason Buhari does not listen to the people is because he is everywhere. He owns the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the Security, and everything else except the collective will of the people.
Like the ants in the animation film, "The Bug's Life", Power truly belongs to the people. Nigerians have what it takes to force a charge as can be seen during the EndSars protest.
Fayose once advised, "Until government begin to fear the people, nothing will change." Shall we take back our country now?
This is an opinion piece by Kassai Adams, via Critical Voices.