I Will March With Tuface For Nigeria

[caption id="attachment_16310" align="alignnone" width="690"]Innocent [/caption]

On Saturday, I drove to UTC AT Area 10, Abuja to get myself a branded T-shirt and Nigerian flag ahead of the nation-wide protest against poor governance by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime. It was not difficult for me to do but somehow, I was caught for a moment on what should be branded on the T-shirt. It was a fleeting moment, but one that resonates deeper.

Tuface is the catalyst for the rally billed for major cities across Nigeria, he is just that because I doubt if he understands the depth and far reaching implications of his action. Realizing this, I quickly penned, ‘#I Stand With Nigeria.’
I stand with Nigeria in this moment of dizzying mis-governance and befuddling ineptitude. I have always stood with and for Nigeria. As a student union activist at the University of Calabar, I was sold out to the cause of a better deal for my fellow students. If those of us that were at the helm of leadership of the students’ body wanted to cut deal, we would have done that.

With my shrill voice and lithe body, I was not imposing physically. What I lacked in stature, I compensated with an acute sense of sacrifice and oratory. So for those who think it is because Jonathan lost the 2015 election that I have taken to activism do not know me at all.

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My desire to see society built on egalitarian principles has compelled me to deny myself of the seeming bounty of the ruling class. When I was secretary of the NUJ FCT, there were opportunities to “make it”, but often we passed the opportunity, but not many know this. The first chairman I worked with, Mr. Jacob Edi, used to say, “the reward may never come, but your conscience will be at ease.” He was and is right!

So when people make the snide but ignorant remark of “because they have blocked access to cheap loot for them,” I am filled with mirth. I still struggle to pay my bills which Buhari’s gross incompetence has tripled because of inflation while my source(s) of income has not appreciated.

For those who do not know, or those who know but pretend that they do not know, inflation is at 18 percent as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. This regime has continued to shift the goal post on its economic agenda. The last time we were told it would be unveiled in February. It is my expectation as well as those of millions of Nigerians that the president would without let, unveil it having rested on Nigeria’s taxpayers’ money in the United Kingdom.

I will march because it is not only my citizen’s right but also the constitutional demand on government to guarantee my security and welfare. I am not so certain, so are other Nigerians if our security and welfare are guaranteed. While I appreciate the appreciable fight against Boko Haram, there is still a lot that needs to be done. Kidnapping is still rampant, the terrorists are still killing people in the North East, across the Middle Belt, marauding herdsmen are maiming, raping and killing farmers and their families. These we cannot gloss over.

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I stand with Nigeria to state that the matter of corruption is gender neutral, religious blind, without political affiliation, and without ethnic consideration. Therefore, the fight against graft must be holistic and inclusive. What we have today is begging the question and this cannot guarantee any victory against the hydra-headed monster.

I stand with Nigeria to say that without the rule of law, Nigeria cannot sustain it democratic credentials, and engender a result-oriented society. Strong institutions build enduring societies, and not strong men. It is trite to state that democratic societies stand on a tripod of common action: law making which is the highest attribute of the republic; interpretation of the law, which is the very foundation of justice; and execution of the law, the basis of all responsible governance. Sadly, the execution of the law in Buhari’s Nigeria is devoid of principle, it is nepotistic and negates all sense of partiality and equity.
I stand with Nigeria!

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