If the statement of Mallam Garba Sheu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity is anything to go by, then there is more to it than meets the eyes.
The President, according to the Senior Special Assistant, has assured Nigerians that the 2023 general elections that shall throw up his successor shall be as free, fair and credible as that of 2019.
However, millions of Nigerians insist that the 2019 general elections were not free, fair and credible.
They readily make reference to the several petitions domiciled in the Appeal and Supreme courts, in addition to the violence, kidnappings and killings before, during and after the elections even up till this moment.
Sadly, the law enforcement agents, who ought to ensure the protections of lives and property are preoccupied with openly (no longer by proxy) extorting money from motorists and other road users in every part of the country.
The consensus among Nigerians is that a secured environment brings in its stride, economic prosperity, unhindered foreign investment and unimpeded development.
But of worry, is the fact that the Powers That Be at all levels have over time exhibited a high level of nonchalance towards the circumstances surrounding the dastardly murder of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the leader of Yoruba Socio-Political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fashoranti and thousands of other innocent souls. The father of the deceased lamented that investigations into the murder are inactive.
The present approach of the Judiciary and the Legislature to issues of Democratic concern not only portends great danger ahead in the coming days, weeks and months, but has also punctured the President’s assurance without any iota of doubt.
Indeed, it has confirmed that the future is bleak for Nigeria, most especially when valuable energy are being dissipated on diversionary issues of lesser importance.