These hard times, the change continues

There is an adage that says: ‘Tough times never last.’ But the hard times. Nigeria is currently experiencing prove to be a lasting one. It seems all hopes are lost. It has not been easy for the rulers and the ruled. The situation has moved from bad to worse; and all hearts are filled with […]

There is an adage that says: ‘Tough times never last.’ But the hard times.
Nigeria is currently experiencing prove to be a lasting one. It seems all hopes are lost. It has not been easy for the rulers and the ruled. The situation has moved from bad to worse; and all hearts are filled with fear in expectation of the worst.
Beforehand, many campaigned and voted for change because they believe
President Buhari will perform wonders that God and all past Nigerian leaders did not do. We expect warm solutions overnight. In the morning, we see cold old rots. Economic crisis has overwhelmed the nation; governments into debt, workers of 15 states are yet to be paid for months. One civil servant says: ‘currently, there is no difference between the unemployed and the employed because workers are been paid irregularly’. At a time scars of fuel scarcity have not left us: a time which everywhere on every commodity or service, there is hike in prices; pesky increase in the fuel pump price by Federal Government breaks the hearts of Nigerian citizens.
Meanwhile, the future is cloudy; we do not foresee a change in the country’s perennial problems. Epileptic power supply, unemployment, bad roads and others have become topics of generations. When will the change come? At a time we are waiting for the light at the end of Boko Haram’s tunnel, the flames of Fulani herdsmen’s ethnic cleansing have taken over the country. The nomads have turned gunmen overnight. Nobody dare challenge them. Last week, President Buhari managed to sign the budget into law after months of unusual controversies surrounding it. While we expect work to begin soon, we are shocked by the news from the Budget and Planning Minister that there might be no full implementation of the bill due to its late passage. I believe it is too early for the government to start expressing pessimism. Work should start now.
Finally, the fight against corruption is still facing serious challenges. The court hearings are in staggering move. Accusations and counter-accusations appear every day. Accused persons frequently call for change of judges, saying they have no trust in judges; and at worst, label judges as corrupt – may be because we are in the Change Era. But people want to see the change in the real sense. People need lasting solutions to their groans: we need security, steady power supply, good roads, robust economy and gainful employment. Although the historic ovation for President Buhari Government has suffered some dent, citizens still believe in him as the messiah. And therefore, he should change these rots to manure.

Qasim Afonja, Saki, Oyo State, [email protected]