My Fellow Nigerians, What Have We Done Wrong To Deserve This? -By Mohammed Aliyu Baba

As the popular saying goes; “when two elephants are fighting, it is always the grass that suffers the consequences.” This is the scenario that is playing out in Nigeria between the government and the economic actors, as a result of political risk the present administration has taken to curb corrupt practices and gain self sufficiency in food production.

Apparently, Nigerians had a fortiori to clamour for what could be termed as a political revolution in 2015 as a result of rampage insecurities especially in the northeastern part of Nigeria and dubious handling of public Funds which could be tagged ‘massive corrupt practices’ in the activities of the then administration.

Hence, an assumed corrupt-free and competent administration with predicted hallow pilots who are seem to be God’s sent were voted for a better change in Nigeria. And definitely, the wind of change is brewing but seems to be against the direction and the ‘will’ of Nigerians.

The trusted government has made stringent policies one of which is the border closure and restrictions to food importation (specially rice) for self sufficiency in food production. The administration took a daring decision that Nigerians must produce what they eat, and they must eat what they produce. Meanwhile, the impact of the decision seems to be aching the soul of Nigerians especially the masses whose confidence in this government right from its inception is immeasurable. Yet, things are negatively backfiring and the consequences are melting on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

In recent report, the country’s inflation rate hits 13.22% in August 2020, highest recorded in 29 months. The record has it that Nigeria experienced inflationary increase of 6.67% from 2015 when the present administration took over the mantle of leadership. Nigeria’s inflationary figure has been higher than the average figure for African and sub-saharan countries for years now, exceeded 16 percent in 2017–and a real significant decrease is nowhere in sight. The bigger problem is its unsteadiness.

However, as economists and financial experts would rightly said; an inflation rate that is bouncing all over the place like that of Nigeria is usually a sign of a struggling economy, causing prices to fluctuate, unemployment and poverty to increase.
Meanwhile, the inflation rate of 12.37% is projected for 2021; this is according to the report contained in the recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in September 15th, 2020.

No dur that Nigerians especially the less privileged who live below the poverty line go to the market smiling but come back frowning because of huge amount of money spent on smidgen products. The cost of living in Nigeria is now high than ever before; as if that’s not enough. The government of today unreasonably planned earlier this year to hike the electricity tariff. It took the threat of industrial action by labour unions and concern individuals before the government could suspend the untimely plan. In the meantime, Nigerians deserve a lot more than a mere suspicious suspicion.

It is not out of place to say that the hardship that average Nigerians are facing is the handwork of the present government. We all know that Nigeria has sustained economic and political injuries before now, however, you can’t claim to be healing the injuries while in the real sense, you are adversely causing more injuries.

Added to the economic crisis is the closure of Nigerian federal (and some state) Universities as a result of industrial Action by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The strike has been-on for the past eight months due to the government’s failure to key into promises made with the union. The whole situation has left Universities closed while leaving the students stilled and staled with their academic progression.

Everywhere is full of dusts raised by former administration as the current minister of information, Mr Lai Mohammed would make a stink. But come to think of it, even if political vandalism by oppositions in Nigeria is real; for how long the successive governments in Nigeria would continue to play political football at the expense of unsuspected Nigerians who deserve nothing less than good governance?

As Nigerians, why should we be paying for what we don’t buy from anyone?

Is voting for a trusted political candidate now a sin?

What have we done wrong to deserve all of these perfidies my fellow Nigerians?

May be we should just assume that these are rhetorical questions begging for answers from heavenly father who has probably lost interest in the Nigerian affairs also.

May God Help Nigeria.