In my previous articles, I have been accused of showing preference for one presidential candidate than the other. Fact is, I am neither for GEJ nor GMB. In the last few months, the social media has been bombarded with 'change' messages that unless you are completely aware of the purpose behind the wild agitations, you will quickly become part of the "mainstream."
Let's even assume the change of government happened, so what next? Jimmy Cliff wrote that there are 'many rivers to cross
but I can't seem to find my way over.' The essential ingredients to accompany genuine change is tolerance and attitudinal change. The message of tolerance is more paramount right now than before especially in the North.
Few days ago, Nigeria was spared the Rwandan moment in Gombe when some disgruntled elements almost bombed Mr President and can you imagine level of silence on the matter ever since on social media? Same thing happened immediately he rounded up campaign in Maiduguri? Till today, no single person in the north has condemned the act. I pray and hope the minds behind these attacks won't take it further than this. It is on records that the killing of President Juvenal Habyarimana sparked the Rwanda genocide!
In Bauchi, the other day, all sorts of missiles were fired at the president's convoy with some of his followers brutally attacked. Some other grown ups were quick to cite that PDP supporters carried out the attacks. What kind of milk did these adults drink from their mothers' breasts that they talk and lie like children?
Free and fair polls begin right at the stumps, the campaign grounds. Aspirants irrespective of his tribe must be allowed to campaign in the strongholds of their opponents without being attacked or harassed.
Question is where are we heading with all these? What makes a typical Nigerian see the suffering of fellow citizens as being okay for them? What makes a parent feel that the abduction of young female children and women is okay as long as they're from a different tribe? This certainly will not leading us anywhere and the much-agitated change wouldn't stand the test of time if this issue goes unaddressed.
Political godfathers and key players in the opposition are childishly playing around while Nigeria is burning. They should be very careful about what they wish for. They might just get it! In a state of war no one is an untouchable. And if Nigeria actually won the war, why is everyone still crying forty years after? We must learn, even from our own history else, this uprising, as Fela says, will bring out the beast in all of us.
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