Before the 2015 elections, there were predictions founded or otherwise that the elections might be the last for Nigeria as a united country.
Events before the elections were not reassuring either that the worst would not happen. Corruption, economic sabotage, god fatherism and “man know man” were the order. The leadership became insensitive and incommunicado. The rape on the nation’s treasury was evident. Things went haywire as politics of bitterness and “hate campaign” took centre stage.
There was angst in the land. The Boko Haram sect had laid siege and were gradually occupying the larger part of Borno state. People, especially the nonnatives were daily trooping out of the state, especially Maiduguri, the capital. Those not leaving were stockpiling food stuffs in anticipation of the dark days ahead. Many were closing their accounts or transferring money elsewhere outside the state in addition to desperate mopping up of foreign exchange for subsequent repatriation.
Borno economy was nose diving, as traders and commercial houses outside refused to bring into the state goods while most of their counterparts in the state were closing down businesses. The situation became compounded with increased spate of bombing and assassinations in Maiduguri.
Nigeria was at the cross-road and the nation was in stormy water drifting rudderless. Nigeria demanded for surgical operation and this was what the progressives effected through “Change” to save the nation from going into the garbage of history
For the prophets of doom, who predicted that Nigeria would cease to be a nation after the 2015 elections for reasons best known to them, their dream was gaining currency. However, there were some Nigerians in the toga of “Progressives” who vowed that Nigeria’s unity was not negotiable.
Speaking in Maiduguri penultimate week at a state dinner marking his two-day official visit to Borno state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, told the story of how the disintegration of Nigeria was averted.
According to the national leader of All Progressives Congress, “We were in great storm and the ship of this country was challenged. We saw Nigeria drifting as if there was no captain and every patriotic person contributed in bringing the change we are criticising now. This country would have missed in the map of Africa. I saw a map at the Obasanjo Presidential Library and there was no Nigeria.
This would have been the situation.” Asiwaju Tinubu made it clear that Nigeria was at the cross-road and the nation was in stormy water drifting rudderless. Nigeria demanded for surgical operation and this was what the progressives effected through “Change” to save the nation from going into the garbage of history.
This is what heralded President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to ensure Nigeria remained on the map of Africa. On the demons of destruction and agents of division called Boko Haram, Tinubu pointed out that the sect was determined to wipe out Borno state and take over Nigeria, but had its dream shattered by the military that decimated and degraded it.
According to him, “If Boko Haram has not been degraded really, we wouldn’t have gathered here in Maiduguri for dinner. Borno government wouldn’t have thought of commissioning projects. Going three years back, this wouldn’t have happened when the insurgents held sway. But it is a privilege to stand here today breathing a new life”.
Tinubu added, “Boko Haram can no longer take away our hope, unity and courage. We will win over evil.” Asiwaju made reference to the magnitude of destruction of not only of lives but infrastructure by the insurgents.
The damage is such that it outstretched the financial muscle of both the state and federal governments. He called for the establishment of a Trust Fund in “Perpetuity” by well-meaning Nigerians, both in public and private sectors, to assist the victims of the insurgency.
He charged Nigerians to be magnanimous and never to forget men and women that suffered from the insurgency. On the administration of the state by Governor Kashim Shettima, the APC leader pointed out that it takes a great deal of courage to be able to withstand the wicked, heartless and brutal onslaught of the insurgents as well the manipulations of political adversaries, pointing out that Shettima had that courage in abundance.
Tinubu explained that in spite of the challenges he faced, Governor Shettima has been able to restore hope in the hopeless and restore confidence in Borno and its people. “That Kashim was able to resist all attempts aimed at diverting him from his course and undermining his government is a great tribute to his statesmanship.”
During his two-day visit to the state, the APC leader commissioned projects in various parts of the state. The projects included several houses, 13 primary and junior secondary schools and a furnished estate of 26 apartments in five sets of three storey buildings for medical doctors named, ‘Bola Tinubu Court.’
