National Issues
2023: More Than An Election Year -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua
Their sit at home imposed rules had caused setback to the economy development of the entire region. Many business had to remain shut, while those who disobey their jungle order paid the supreme price including losing their dear lives. Will these insecurity stop in this year?
Happy New year to Nigerians. May this year bring peace,unity and prosperity. Last year was not different from precededed years. 2020 could be described as covid-19 year in which the new discovered pandemic hit the world and wrecked social and economy havoc to many countries including Nigeria. In 2021, after the pandemic seemed over, Nigerians witnessed post covid-19 era where the country struggled to recover economically. In 2022, Nigerians witnessed the good and the bad side of the year. It started with the torrential downpours which led to flood disaster that submerged many states across the country. Worst hit are: Jigawa, Bayelsa, Yobe and Anambra states. But, many environmental analysts blamed the affected states for not heeding the early warning signals by metrological agencies. The flood which caused great damages to lives and properties has raised questions about the profer utilization of ecological funds by states governors and lack of effective policies to stem the menace of flooding in the country. This year, unless government at all levels come up with robust and effective strategies to control flooding, many states will be badly affected.
Last year, there was incessant attacks on INEC offices and its facilities across the country. The rampant and continue attacks few days to elections have sent fears into the spinal cord of nigerians. The INEC chairman, professor Mahmood Yakubu, disturbed by this sad development, expressed fears that, the continue attacks pose threat to the conduct of this year election. Though, in his new year message, president Muhammadu Buhari, has warned saboteurs who are hell bent to scuttle the forthcoming poll to stay away. However, government should match its words with actions. These sponsored thugs or political urchins may return to their nefarious activities in order to undermine free and fair elections and government’s commitment to peaceful transition. To check mate the ungodly activities of rapacious arsonists, government should deploy adequate security oppetatives to protect INEC offices and its facilities across the country. The Department of state security (DSS), should launch an intelligent investigation to unravel those who are sponsoring terrorism in the country. The arrest and prosecution of these sponsors according to the laws of land would serve as a lesson to other would-be sponsors and restore peace and security in the country.
The 2023 will inherit catalogues of insecurity bedeviled the country. While insecurity did not start last year, banditry and other sundry crimes had spike frightening. Nigerians will not forget in hurry the attacks carried out by suspected members of ansaru-deen on Kaduna-Abuja’s bound train. In the unfortunate attacks,many passengers were killed and scores of other kidnapped. For the people of Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and other communities in Kaduna state, 2022 was a bad year. Bandits had a field day, abducting and killing many helpless people. The bandits turned to another authority, imposing levies to Farmers before they could harvest their farm crops. Similarly, in the South-East, the indigineous people of Biafra (IPOB), through its armed-wing, Eastern Security Network had waged unrelenting war against the people of the region.
Their sit at home imposed rules had caused setback to the economy development of the entire region. Many business had to remain shut, while those who disobey their jungle order paid the supreme price including losing their dear lives. Will these insecurity stop in this year?
On the economy front, year 2023, will carry over some monetary policies initiated by the apex bank (CBN), aimed at taming the high rate of inflation in the country. Last year, the country recorded 18.91 percent inflation rate. The rate was highest in last 15 years. CBN, through its monetary policies, redesigned our currencies and pegged cash withdrawal limits to 100,000 for individual and 500,000 for corporate body, before it increased it to 500,000 and 5millions respectively. The policy is geared towards implementing cashless economy. Will this policy reverse the high rate of inflation this year? It is also worrisome to know, year 2023 will inherit mountain of public debt amounted to trillions . The crude oil theft which cost the country trillions of naira revenue lost is another new year nightmare. The multi-dimesional poverty index which places 133 millions nigerians below the poverty line is another concern for the new year.
Further more, with the elections around the corner, nigerians have great opportunities to assess the candidates and their party manifestos. These multi-facet problems that affecting the country are surmountable if nigerians elect good leaders in the February general elections. We need strong leadership fully prepared to take the country to an eldarado.
Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.
