The quoted portion of this piece was first published on February 15, 2013, entitled “The dramatic return of APC” which l laced with figuratives. I have decided to reproduce it today now that the party is in power for the purpose of highlighting the side effects of the APC medication in the subsequent portion of this write-up:
“A little over a week ago, February 6, to be precise, four pharmaceutical firms converged on Lagos and reintroduced into the Nigerian drug market a one-time popular and potent painkiller known as APC. APC, an amalgam of Aspirin, Paludrin and Codeine, was the number one choice for the treatment of all manner of pains, fever and cold. As kids, my parents were always quick to administer the drug on us at the slightest complaint of headache and allied symptoms, without a recourse to the doctor. The painkilling allies parted ways several years ago with the coming of other pain relievers like Panadol, Paracetamol, Novalgin, Analgin and Ibex.
“Actually, the four organisations referred to above have nothing to do with drug production. I was just being figurative. The foursome are political parties, namely Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that came together, traded their identities and floated a new party that is now known as All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This new APC is also intended to address the socio-economic and political headaches as well as other pains currently plaguing the nation. However, headache is believed to be a symptom of some more serious ailments lurking around in the body system. And the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that has been in power since the nation returned to full blown democracy in 1999, is held responsible for the nagging political headache, fever and cold afflicting the hapless masses.
“In other words, no amount of APC administration would send the headache packing unless the cause itself is sent packing. But how would they achieve that? The ruling party is firmly entrenched in 26 states of the federation, whereas the four parties are holding sway only in 10. Ten over 26 is not an impressive mark for now. Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, one of those in opposition, does not seem to breathe the same APGA air with his colleague, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo state. That would have made 11 over 26. The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) is said to be eyeing the merger. It is hoped that Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, the only governor on the platform of the Labour Party, would see reasons to mimic the APC ideologues as time goes on. Then, it would be 13 over 26 which should be an improvement on the grade.
“The PDP still remains a moving train in the nation’s political terrain, driven by 26 horse-power engine as against 10. However, the good thing about the APC’s arrival on the political scene is that it will provide an alternative and hopefully, a credible platform for those asphyxiated in the ruling party. We need a strong and credible opposition to curb the excesses of the hawks in the PDP and keep them on their toes. They have taken us for a ride for too long. In any case, unfolding events in the coming months would give curious observers an insight into whether or not these juggernauts from different political persuasions can spring any surprises as 2015 beckons. Methinks they can if they sacrifice their differences and work together with dogged determination to achieve their purpose.
“Already, there are shivers and jitters in the ruling party because of the spontaneous ecstasy welcoming the merger among the teeming populace.
“Be that as it may, the APC folks must be on their guard for moles and devil’s advocates who would want to infiltrate their ranks with one singular objective … to see to the disintegration of the new arrangement in the manner that Aspirin, Paludrin and Codeine went their separate ways and lost their collective potency. A previous move by both ACN and CPC collapsed at the feet of Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari. Let us hope that spirit would not haunt the APC.”
It is more than a year and a half now that Buhari and his party have been administering the medication on the nation in an attempt to cure all the ailments inflicted upon us by the PDP regime since 1999.
Virtually all orthodox medications come with their own side effects. The irony of curing ailments with drugs is that they leave behind some intruders worse than the original illnesses they are intended to cure.
A few instances will suffice here: weakness of the body, constipation, dry mouth and throat, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, etc., could result from treating a killer sickness like malaria. Some drugs trigger off hallucinations, nightmares, insomnia, deafness, dizziness, abdominal cramps, fatigue, oedema, joint pains, allergic reactions like rashes and itching, etc.
Treatment of some ailments could throw up cough, depression, anxiety, shortness of breath, numbness and nervous disorder. In treating high blood pressure, there are risks of headaches, migraine, racing heart, palpitation, frequent urination, liver disease, renal failure, impotence, loss of libido, leading to crisis in the other room.
In like manner, some of the side effects afflicted on us for receiving the APC medication are the 45% increase in electricity tariff, fuel pump price up from N87 per litre to N145, thus heightening cost of living. There are also high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, arising from inability to pay house rents, school fees and hospital bills and offer three square meals to the gods of throat, etc. Another APC side effect is the Tsunami that has hit the judiciary, exposing the rump of the fowl. The tornado may soon strike the traditional and religious institutions whose members partook in the Dasukigate… money meant for arms to fight the insurgency.
The dilemma of taking drugs is that if you don’t take them when they are needed, you will put your health at risk, even as taking them also exposes you to other health hazards.
Fellow Nigerians, welcome to the APC quandary!
