The pages of Nigeria’s history is nothing but drenched in blood and tears. Most of the historic events that have happened have always been at the cost of lives, whether a good thing or a bad thing. #ENDSARS that sparked off a historic moment in Nigeria started because a young life was taken and it led to even more young lives being taken. Our independence, our democratic government, the freedom of our press… every single that that we all seem to enjoy today is only possible because dozens of people have laid their lives down for us.
Is it good? Hell no! It’s not fair that people have to die for others to enjoy certain privileges, it sure as hell isn’t fair that sacrifices even have to be made. But then, it is what it is. Just as we’re fighting for a better life for ourselves and our compatriots, our oppressors are also fighting to keep us under their heels. It’s an all-out war, and sadly, there will always be casualties in wars.
The Nigeria you see today is not what it used to be. There was a time when the dollar was not so high against the naira, there was a time when security wasn’t such a mess that we had to deal with bandits, terrorists, and unknown gunmen. There was a time when we were experiencing a semblance of peace.
History was made when our former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua became the President of the country, he was hands down one of the best we ever had and everyone could see that he had plans for the country, plans that he immediately began putting into motion the minute he assumed office. However, things didn't go as planned because we soon lost him to the cold hands of death. And in my opinion, that was when the problems we face today started.
Yar’Adua was replaced by his Vice, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who also did his best to lead the country. And he had some major achievements during his tenure. He made sure that every state in the country had higher institutions, he was also helpful to the farmers and artisans. However, it was also during his tenure that Nigeria began having major issues with security. Especially terrorism issues.
To date, many people say that it was all politically motivated, and when you look at it, you might see the credibility of that statement. Northern Nigeria was ravaged by Boko Haram, almost every week we had to listen to reports of dozens of people killed by these guys. From suicide bombings to all-out attacks. The Nigerian Army went after them, but it was always like a tug-of-war with them. The insurgents take over a town or community, but the army takes it back, soon the insurgents take it again, and on it goes.
By the next election, Former President Jonathan ran for office and his main opposition was Muhammadu Buhari, who had also run against Yar’Adua and lost. Now, in 2011, Jonathan ran for office once and won it, allowing him to continue his tenure. However, this victory was met with protests by those who were not happy with the results and it quickly escalated into violent riots in which close to a thousand people were killed and about a hundred thousand were displaced. All of this bloodshed was because one man didn’t win the election.
By 2015, it was time for yet another election, Jonathan and Buhari met yet again in rival parties. This time though, the opposition were willing to use everything in their power to gain power, even inciting tribal and religious feuds if it meant that they would secure the seat. There were so many promises made and Buhari was promised to be the change that Nigeria would need. Many people believed them. It worked for them, because Buhari ended up winning that election, and from that moment, things started getting even worse at an astronomical rate. Former President Jonathan could have contested it, however, the memories of the bloodshed that happened in 2011 were still fresh in his mind, so he accepted defeat. A move many today still blame for our problems.
Life got harder, cost of living went higher, besides the terrorists, we also had to deal with bandits and unknown gunmen. This time around, it wasn’t just limited to one section of the country, everywhere was touched. East, west, north, nowhere was safe. Somehow though, President Buhari managed to secure a second term and things only worsened. Once they finally got the power, they were going to do everything they could to hold onto it. It was during this period that EndSARS happened, and to date, justice has not been served for those who died in that tragedy.
In 2023, President Buhari handed power over to President Tinubu, our current president. This time, the tribalism and religious feuds that were employed were very obvious. People would leave the qualities of who they want to vote for and only talk about where he was from and how it was this person’s turn. Either way, President Tinubu won the seat and yet again, things got worse. It got so bad that at a point a dollar was almost N2k. Now, it’s not any better, it’s just N1.5k ish.
So, you see where we are today? How actions of the past have led to this very moment that we’re all suffering from? That is our history. So many things have happened during this timeline that I outlined, but I’m not going into details because it would make this post too long, and it’s already long enough as it is.
The funny thing is, everyone is suffering right now, we’re all complaining about the government and how bad things are. However, by the time the next election rolls around, we’ll somehow forget it all and still vote based on tribal and religious differences. Some will still be willing to sell their votes for N5k and a few cups of rice. The truth is, as long as the people themselves refuse to learn, these guys will never get tired of taking advantage of us.
It’s sad that we have to go through all this, judging how rich our country is. But then, it is what it is. We have leaders who don’t care about us, and we’re a people who would rather think that they know what is best than listen to the opinion of someone else. And as long as that remains a norm, then we’re very much in a lot of trouble.
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Yesterday I made a comment on a post about the rice issue. In this case, is rice something of high value in the region? I'm sad to know that things are difficult there. The last photo in your post seems to be a peaceful one, with lots of trees. Let's keep the faith and hope for better days.
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Elder Bruno...it's how you took us back the events of the past in our country for me oo... you recalled all the journey so far and how we got into this mess today.
We all know the source of our problems as a country and I strongly believe that if greed will be removed...we can make a better Nigeria again. I missed those days when things are more peaceful..even though I was so young then but I still remember how things were going on with our people
Sadly, it's what it is now