By Braeyi Ekiye
SIR: Nigerians, desperate for change of government for the better, are waiting to be told how political gladiators intend to implement their promises to the electorate and sources of funds and the judicious use of it, timelines for implementation of projects, policies and programmes for the benefit of the sufferings of 95 percent of Nigeria’s over 200 million population.
The electorate are confused about the talk of poverty alleviation, youth unemployment and a redress of it, and the highfalutin promises and clichés that offend their sensibilities, and clownish shows at podiums of political party campaigns across the nation.
Nigeria and Nigerians’ main problems today are poverty and illiteracy-crass, in every sense of the word. Parents and guardians can barely foot school fees and other bills across nursery, secondary and tertiary institutions, let alone put food on the table for their families. The soaring prices of commodities in the market are totally out of reach of most families, as they live on credit facilities, whose facilitators are on their necks.
This is yet compounded by the new naira currency policy that has finally dealt a devastating death blow on the suffering masses. The list of socio-economic, financial and political policy summersaults and contradictions of the present administration are endless. These summersaults and contradictions have put them at the risk of good health and comfortable living; the very basic necessities of life they need to live with and live well.
The core issue of poverty and hunger should be pragmatically addressed by political parties and their candidates. They should show the electorate how they intend to reverse this cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of overwhelming majority. Except for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar who has touched on restructuring, other political parties seem not to be conscious that addressing the National Question is the panacea to solving most of Nigeria’s problems; the peace, security, unity and accelerated socio-economic and infrastructural development of the nation and her federating units.
The incoming government should give Nigerians a good reason to have a renewed hope, not only in their government, but also in themselves, that at last, they are free; free from injustice; inequitable allocation of resources and status by government; free from self-seeking inept and corrupt governments and her officials, vendors and contractors; free from insecurity and all that is not good and proper for the good governance of a nation and her federating units.
• Braeyi Ekiye, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.