To say it has not been this bad, is an understatement. Despite my decision to ignore national politics for a while, with the recent happenings, I have no other option than to pick my pen while I do justice to some salient issues.
No doubt, the media for a long time have been refered to as the 5th arm of government knowing fully well that it’s the easiest medium to reach our leaders.
I desire not to belabour you with excessive rhetorics hence the need to urgently dissect major flash as pronounced by the All Progressive Congress (APC) leaders while they were hungry for power at the national level.
Many Nigerians have begin to wonder if truly this party is for the masses or for their pockets considering the current economy and security challenges the behoves our dear nation.
It’s too early to forget some of the Campaign promises of Buhari (and APC). During the electioneering period, Major General Buhari (Rtd) who is now the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and his counterpart, Professor Yemi Osinbajo together with other stakeholders in their party made series of promises to Nigerians, which enabled them to get free votes on their disguised mantra of “change”
Is Buhari-led administration keeping their many promises to Nigerians?
May be it’s too early to appraise them.
Some of their promises in 2015 include but not limited to the following:
- 720,000 jobs in the 36 states of the federation per annum
- Establishment of a free-tuition and scholarship scheme for pupils who have shown exceptional aptitude in science subjects at O/Levels to study ICT-related courses
- Three million Jobs per year
- Churches and Mosques would not pay taxes under national laws, but if they engage in businesses, the businesses would pay tax.
-Making our economy one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the world with a real GDP growth averaging 10% annually. [In another instance, the APC promised 10-12% annual GDP growth]
- Recruitment and training of at least 100,000 officers into the Nigerian police force and establish a Federal anti-terrorism agency
- One free meal (to include fruits) daily, for public primary school pupils
- Establishment of Crime Squad to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, militants, ethno-religious and communal clashes nationwide
- All political officer holders earn only the salaries and emoluments determined and approved by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission RMFAC.
- Permanent peace in the Niger Delta and other conflict prone areas such as Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno and Abia.
- Nationwide sanitation plans to keep Nigeria clean
- Balancing the economy across regions by the creation of 6 new Regional Economic Development Agencies (REDAs) to act as champions of sub-regional competitiveness
- Reforming and Strengthening the Justice System for efficient administration and dispensation of justice with the creation of special courts for accelerated hearing of corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism and similar cases of national importance
- Establishing world-class sports academy and training institutes and ensure that Nigeria occupies a place of pride in global sports and athletics
- Reviving the Nigerian football league and putting incentives in place to make it as competitive as other national leagues.
- Stabilizing the naira (One naira equal to one dollar)
- On Boko Haram, they promised to commission a sociological study to determine its origins, remote and immediate causes of the movement, its sponsors, the international connexions to ensure that measures are taken to prevent a recurrence of this evil.
- Strengthening INEC to reduce, if possible, eliminate electoral malpractices in Nigerian’s political life
- Public declaration of assets and liabilities
- Ban on all government officials from seeking medical care abroad
Well, dear esteemed readers, the ball is in your court to either conclude that APC is the stone in our shoe or otherwise.
It’s pertinent to reference the current security challenges, communal related crisis, selective anti corruption, marginalization, media intolerance, defaced international relationship and ill-economy.
I did not pick my pen to judge but to write an expository article which will allow Nigerians critically assess the current administration while they make informed decision in the next general elections of 2023.
Deji Ola is my name from the ancient city of Ibadan
renewed ZEALOTRY
eletiko@gmail.com
