My hope is that since NUJ, NLC have a history of standing up for the rights of their members, ordinary citizens, it is in order for an ordinary citizen like me to call their attention to the need for them to come forward to rescue Nigeria from the precipice.
Let us say for simplicity sake that there are only two opposing camps: Buhari and his worshippers on the one hand, and all others opposed to him for whatever reason on the other. Of course the ‘grass’ upon which they trample upon is made up of living human beings, having, flesh, blood, and families.
There is seems to be one reigning perspective exhibited by Nigeria’s political class: that is, the interest of the governed is of the lowest rung in the hierarchy of priorities.
Was it yesterday that it was reported that a serving army General was murdered along Lokoja-Abuja road? Earlier report showed like it happened in Abuja. Just like coronavirus, seems like kidnapping is now in waves: there was the wave for students, then that for traders, now seems to be that for Emirs.
The administration on its part seems not to be interested in finding the root cause of the raging insecurity. Why is it that for instance nearly every Nigerian now is a potential kidnapper? Of course being victim is ( Allah forbid) just a matter of time.
Layin dogo is the Hausa expression for rail line. In fact ‘layin’ is a corruption of line. ‘Dogo’ on the other hand means tall or long.
Buhari’s supporters often call him Dogo, the tall one. Is it because of his height that he is obsessed with rail lines even when the nation cannot afford it?
ASUU must be taking a nap away from strikes. When they wake up they will find on the newspaper racks in their libraries ( if any) stories of new universities set up by the federal government. Some will say it is commendable. But may be for the first time in Nigeria’s history the nation has the prospect of over 90% of its future revenues going to debt service. ASUU, NUJ, NLC have no opinion, agenda on this? How are the new varsity especially to be funded?
Much more important, a segment of the political class is daily telling us that Nigeria is facing disintegration . In short, Nigeria is yet to establish, in a civilised manner, how the centre is to be governed. So there is the prospect of new institutions like: Modakoke Union of journalists, Nnewi Labor Congress etc.
So if the ‘N’ in NLC, NUJ is under threat, do members not believe it is time to craft a believable agenda for all Nigerians?
I am reading wrong, but the future of Nigeria seems not to be in good hands.
The political party seems to be irrelevant in a presidential system.
Abdullah Musa writes from Kano.
