By Ahmed Adoke
SIR: The past few weeks have ushered in myriads of horrifying trials and tribulations among Nigerians. From the new normal of insecurities across the country, to fuel scarcity, incessant power outages, economic faux-pax, Naira notes redesign, and the recently conducted electoral ignominy, it is indeed evident that Nigerians are survivors of man-made tragedies called bad leadership!
Critical analysis of present conditions of an average Nigerian is piteous and sympathetic in view of the hardship caused by fuel scarcity and change of Naira notes.
Resultant consequences of such terrible policy have turned an average Nigerian into unwitting beggar(s) at all level of social sphere. Those of us who care and go around, mingle with the downtrodden and shed dry tears, sometime overtly or covertly because of the dehumanizing manner the rich treats the inevitable begging poor have become victims too.
As a result of the ignoble naira shortage and CBN’s disastrous policy, on Friday, March 10, a groom had to pay the bride price of N25, 000 only for his about-to-be wife through bank transfer. Few months before now, such an action would have been seen as insulting by the family of the bride. Such experiences are red flags to our religions and traditions as a people. The deliberate impoverishment of Nigerians by those in the corridors of political power has been unimaginably deploring, unholy and against all dictates of the holy books.
Our poorly paid security agents are not helpful in the present condition of piteous Nigerians. The poor always pray for those dehumanizing them, instead of frowning at those oppressing and suppressing their smile. Most Nigerians are suffering and smiling as Fela sang in one of his many visionary songs 40 years ago.
Ethnically induced hatreds among Nigerians persist since the misadventure of the tribally biased coup of 1966. This unforgiving spirit of ours radiates in our daily relationships and consequently affects the downtrodden.
Sadly as it is, the so-called cashless policy is supposed to be no respecter of the average Nigerian have or have not. However, the same policy makers and law enforcement agencies have admitted to ‘seizing’ millions of new Naira notes, yet nobody is being named to be owners of such money, neither is anyone being prosecuted.
The indifference of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Central Bank governor, Emefiele to the Supreme Court judgement for the continuing use of the old and new naira notes has not helped matters.
It is not hate speech to say President Buhari has not kept his promise of keeping/obeying law and order. If President Buhari does not care a bit about the “silent death before death” of Nigerians, and continues to flagrantly disobey Supreme Court orders on the usage of old Naira notes, what then, is the fate of the downtrodden?