Please Enrich Your Promises With The Hows… I Will And I Shall, Will Not Suffice Any Longer.
WEEK FOUR (10th September – 16th September).
It was a largely busy week, heavy on issues bothering on the Cost of living and the economy. The debate is increasingly framed around food prices, transport costs, electricity, employment, purchasing power and household affordability. After all, the reason governments exist is to better the lot of the people.
With yet another increase in fuel price across the country, with Nigerians paying as much as between 1,395 and 1,470 naira for a litre of fuel, things are going pretty awry. The strongest campaign theme of the week has been the question, are Nigerians actually feeling the benefits of the government’s economic reforms? Will it ever happen? If it will, when? Will the people eat reforms? When is enough, enough? And what tangible alternatives are there before us, how and when? Those seeking our mandate come 2027 must attend to these issues with clarity. I will, and I shall, will definitely not suffice no more.
President Tinubu’s Camp is defending the Reforms promising that continuity will take Nigeria out of the morass. The opposition is presenting alternative approaches centred on production, jobs, social protection and reducing the burden on households. And former Vice President Atiku Abubakar the candidate of the ADC has been doing an awesome job of that, followed by candidate Adewole Adebayo of the SDP. The others must raise the bar too, up their game and stand strongly on issues NOT on I will, and I shall that is largely lacking in the hows.
Interestingly, the week saw the Presidential contestation becoming a debate between CONTINUITY and CHANGE.
To the APC/Tinubu, it was a week that saw several party men and women as well their spokespersons and protagonists insisting on continuing with the current economic reforms and emphasis on infrastructure, security, investment and growth. How well that works for them is the subject of conjectures, and the debate within the debate.
To the ADC/Atiku, a Team pretty busy with setting the agenda, and clearly leading the campaign narrative thus far, it has been about the pathway to a Production-driven economy, institutional reforms, social protection and a different approach to Subsidy, and economic management. The week saw Citizen Atiku Abubakar asking questions about accountability in government, and wondering why with the so-called removal of Subsidy and with government allegedly making more money why is ASUU still being owed by the government, and why is the nation’s Budget not being properly and effectively funded? We are expecting more critical issues going forward.
For the NDC/Peter Obi, the emphasis is on production, investment, enterprise and human capital, we pray that Citizen Peter Gregory Obi comes through sooner than later with more clarity on the Hows.
SDP/Adewole Adebayo, Citizen Adebayo has torn to shreds the hyped REFORMS of the present administration, and in its place presented an articulate alternative blueprint that includes the return of some kind of subsidy… He maintains that you cannot leave the economy of any nation worth its onion in the hands of neo-liberal forces. That the Nigerian economy must be structured to work for the common good not for a few.
We have 18 Presidential candidates on the INEC portal, we shall continue to interrogate them and subject their views and manifesto to the crucible of fearless and patriotic critique, as our unalterable commitment is to the good of Country. However, we believe without equivocation that the chance of the opposition beating the incumbent will be better enhanced through a coalition of sorts. We hope and pray they listen.
DOWNSIDES: There were some curious moments, and some shameless bits on the political space within the week…
1. The tug-of-war between the APC Governors and the Minister of the FCT Mr Wike appears like karma coming in the fray. Are we going to see a battle royale of sorts? Is the loyalty of some folks about to be tested? With the APC Governors disowning Wike’s Rainbow Coalition and Wike firing back at them, is the centre yielding? What do I know… Just watching.
2. Citizen and Ambassador Designate to Mexico Reno Omokri made a mockery of logic when he argued that Uber left Nigeria because of the radical improvement in the nation’s infrastructure, I never knew that defending the President entails such barefaced debauchery and deceit. Well, someone should tell Reno that Uber is yet functional in countries where the infrastructure is heavenly compared to ours. Someone should tell Reno to fear God.
3. That our Dear President is still overseas on a Working Vacation, Working Rest or Working Visit, whereas for the second time in less than three weeks the President and Vice President were outside the Country, with Mr President now in France, and Mr Vice President in India. Sad, the optics underscores how serious the Presidency is to the present occupants of that high office. But again, what do I know?
4. The Partisans who are saying that certain candidates will not be allowed to campaign in their States, and or constituencies MUST be lampooned, called out and shamed. And whatever laws both local and international that frowns at such must be activated against them now, and where necessary in the future.
This series is a patriotic platform and by no means partisan, to the candidates who have reached out to us via email and Whatsapp Messages, we are studying and reviewing your Manifestos and materials, and to those who are yet asking how they can reach us, soft copies of your Manifesto and Materials can be sent to us via email address pointsmanprojects@gmail.com or WhatsApp 08111112719. Our commitment is to COUNTRY-FIRST.
Week Five Loading…
God Bless Nigeria.
Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
