I know what you’re thinking: two back to back posts about Nigeria? Well, even if you’re not thinking it, I definitely am. I don’t usually like blogging about anything back to back, but I read Buhari’s op-ed on New York Times yesterday, and I just had to mention it here.
I am not into politics at all, and I am even less into Nigerian politics. When GEJ was President (yes, I am deliberately referring to his administration as past tense), I used to get boiling mad whenever I read something from him. And I would wonder how on earth a President can be so out of touch in every way possible. I remember when GEJ ran for election the first time and we fell for his story about not having shoes. We considered him truly blessed and highly favored — because what kind of man just steps into presidency? Surely, the hand of God was on him.
But when he made statements like “America will know,” and when his wife said things like, “All the blood they’re sharing in Bronu…” and when it’d take him forever to respond to big events like Boko Haram attacks, I was devastated. Then this new election happened and I really was not expecting Buhari to win – not because he did not deserve the win (in my opinion), but because this is Nigeria and the incumbent is never voted out. Thankfully, I was wrong.
So yesterday, I read this op-ed from Buhari on New York Times, and I was neither angry after reading it, nor was I ashamed that this man would soon be leading Nigeria. President-Elect Buhari does not promise to bring back our girls; instead, he promises to do whatever he can to find them and combat Boko Haram. I was relieved.
Sadly, the Chibok girls have been missing for exactly one year now and the average Nigerian citizen does not know if they are dead or alive. I say “average Nigerian citizen” because there is no guarantee that the government does not actually know. For me, I am satisfied with Buhari saying he cannot promise to find them. In America, when a person goes missing, the police is scrambling to find them within 72 hours at most (or is it 48 hours?) because anything after that becomes even more dicey. The American police – while not perfect – are more trained and equipped to find a missing person. One missing person at a time. The Nigerian police (and even the military) being tasked with finding 200 girls after a whole year has gone by? Them go thief am? I’m sorry, I don’t have a lot of faith in the Nigerian police. Maybe some day.
Politicians usually mindlessly make promises that they know they cannot keep, all in a bid for our votes. And when they get the votes, there is no remorse for not delivering on their promises because after all, they are “not God.” Somehow, they only remember that they are not God after they win. It’s insulting to our collective and individual intelligence. For that, I am thankful to Buhari for not insulting my intelligence. I am not of the opinion that finding the Chibok girls is absolutely impossible, but I am very cautiously optimistic.
I have never in my life cared more than two cents about a Nigerian president, but this Buhari guy, I like him. I still don’t know what he stands for, nor do I know what his plans are for Nigeria, but I like him. He talks like he has a brain. He sounds like he meditates on his words before speaking them. It’s an admirable virtue in anyone. If one day, Buhari is on TV speaking and I am with my American friends, I don’t have to lie and say that he’s merely a chief in a tiny village.
You know what’s even more shocking to me, I can – on this very day – confidently say that I would love to meet Buhari, and it would be an honor to do so. It’s the strangest thing. I have never wanted to meet a [living] Nigerian President (or President-Elect). And I have never had a desire to find out if Aso Rock is a real place or just a figment of our imagination. I think this can only mean one thing: I’m relocating to Nigeria tomorrow to form a committee to look into forming a committee to get me elected appointed as the “Honourable Minister of Something.”
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria (and I mean every bit of these words).
P.S. Don’t forget to read his op-ed on New York Times here.
Our continous prayer – it is well…… Let us wait and see which way the new administration will swing….
You and me both on what exactly “Aso-Rock” is. Lol. I’m so with you on Buhari. I agree 100% with everything you said. It’s such a relief. I also feel like becaue him and ther politicians can see that Nigerians now have their eyes open. We don’t tolerated mediocrity anymore and will vote out incompetence. Hopefully this will cause them all to sit up. FIVE days after the Morrocan (sp?) government withdrew their ambassador, GEJ had NO idea what was happening. UGHHHH. Out with the old, IN wth the new. Thank God
Even though Buhari did not promise to bring back our girls , I expect him to try harder dan his predecessor.. Cos I don’t believe our leaders can’t say they don’t know the whereabout of those girls. I always say the media doesn’t even report half of the real deal. I pray buhari makes a diff buh GEJ is the most clueless president this nation has ever had.
Yep, I thought if I told the truth, my friend would look at me like I was the last banana left on the shelf. The one that no one wants to buy because everyone else has avoided it so you assume there’s something wrong with it. I wanted him to think that someone, somewhere thought I was pretty darn special.. Click I TOLD THE BENDED TRUTH to read more