My dear President, it’s with a very heavy heart that I’m writing this letter to you. Sir, whether you are re-elected in the coming Presidential Election rescheduled for March or rejected by the same Nigerians, who massively voted for you in 2011, there is no way the history of Nigeria would be written without a mention of your name on the list of honours. Like an adage says: ”A good beginning or good ending, only the middle will mend itself,” seems best for a time like this.
You had a good beginning with Nigerians and that was why we stood with you, despite your ‘shoeless’ background; and, like everyone destined to the top, you became the acting President and in 2011, you were elected by nearly all Nigerians wishing for ‘a poor boy’ to become the President. Today, things may not be the same, but, I am strongly persuaded that you can still have a good ending if you allow the current electoral process to go on according to the will of the people. I’m confident that if you so do, whatever misgivings anyone has (and there will always be) against you during the period you served would be taken care of by your act of courage, genuine and evident commitment to fatherland.
ýThis letter is intended to among others, remind you that before now, God had given some other Nigerians opportunities to lead and, like you, and depending on how they used that office, we either celebrated or mourned their exit. Remember, men like the late maximum ruler, Sani Abacha. Today, no public relations efforts will erase the jubilations across the length and breadth of Nigeria at his demise. He ruled for nine years, but the man who took over from him, the gentle AbdulSalam Abubakar, who spent only few months in office, is seen as a hero. He knew this nation does not belong to an individual or group; but to all of us and whoever we have chosen to lead us, must align with the will, wishes and desires of the generality of all of us.
Ibrahim Babangida, (IBB), as he is fondly called, also had his chance to lead us, but because of the way he handled the fate of Nigeria, he is today saddled with the hard task of selling his ideals to Nigerians again. It is sad but the truth is that Nigerians find it difficult to believe and accept him. He acquired an uncomplimentary pitiable nickname, Maradona simply because of his unprecedented inconsistency.
What of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo? He was able to come back as President after he first served as military ruler, simply because he did what the people wanted in his first outing. Nigerians will not forget in a hurry how he almost succumbed to the temptation of Third Term; a move that would have terribly dented his hard-earned reputation. But like all great leaders, he sensed the danger signals of subverting the will of the people and humbly let Nigerians have their way. Today, not only is Nigeria standing when he talks, but African countries as a whole.
In Africa, the picture of Hosni Mubarak, the former President of Egypt, once deified in the political and military history of Egypt, but today treated with little respect and wheeled to court in the most cruel of manner, to face charges of wickedness and corruption, holds sad memories. Often paraded in cage before a court of law, his, is enough lesson to anyone who wants to have his way, like it or not.
These are a few frightening examples nobody, not even an enemy, can wish for a president, who once had ‘no shoes’, but today, has more than enough to serve him for a life time, just because he suddenly sees himself as above the same people who gave him their votes in trust a few years ago. No! I reject it for you; even if you are already thinking of taking a walk on this dangerous path.
I know you have many Bishops and pastors as friends; and have even visited many of them recently. I can guess correctly, too, that they have prayed and probably are still praying for you; and told you nice things any leader would love to hear, but, I want to appeal to your conscience. Nobody wears your conscience; not the pastors or your hordes of aides at Aso Rock or even all those who beat war drums ‘for your sake’ in your home town. History, when it will be written, will surely not lump you together with them since they were not directly in charge of Nigeria, but, you, alone.
Therefore, my prayer is that you end well; not as meat to the dogs of war as was the case of Samuel Doe, former President of Liberia, former dictator and Libya’s leader, Colonel Ghadaffi or Sadam Hussein; all of who had opportunities to act right and live, but yielded to the lure of office to their peril. Today, the entire world has moved on with their aides, some of whom refused to let them see danger signals, finding new vocations in other governments.
I wonder if it has ever crossed your mind why Nigerians would still want a “performing” President out sharp sharp as shown in the six online polls conducted by Nigerians, two of which were done by your aide and the African Independent Television (AIT) whose owner is probably a card-carrying member of your party. Have you ever thought why Nigerians are still angry at your government though you say you created over one million jobs? Couldn’t they have shown understanding and trust you to create more jobs when re-elected? ý
It is probably your lack of understanding of the situation of things that has driven Nigerians to want to support an erstwhile dictator rather than, forgive me sir, have a failed leader as they often refer to you behind closed doors. Really, who dares call you that to your face? For every five Nigerians, four agree that you fanned corruption with everything within you. They point to the pardon you granted to Chief Dieprieye Alamieseigha, your former boss to the point of handing him ticket to run for Senate in your state. Others point to the Pensions scam, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) scandal, the money-in-a-South African-bound flight and the several reports of probes gathering dust as the days go by in your cupboard.
Truth is, Nigerians crave a leader they can trust; one with a strong character that transcends ethnic and religious chauvinism. Never forget that your arithmetic of 16 being greater than 19 during the election of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum; suspension of Emir Lamido Sanusi and your elevation of people either indicted or going through trial for corruption are some of your major albatrosses.
Hope is not lost though things look hopeless. The opportunity to change things for the better and make history are still available. That opportunity will come on March 28. How the election is organized; who is used and how your men and the military comport themselves during and after the election, will go a long way in changing the perception of Nigerians about you. If, as most Nigerians fear, you deploy the military to advantage during the election, you can be sure where you will stand in history. But more than anything else, the reactions that will trail the election will point to how well you have prepared to let the people see you.
