THE TIME IS NOW (3)
Some 24 years ago, in the midst of wobbling and fumbling, the scrambling for a true NATION took on a fresh start. From Khaki to Agbada and an admixture of the two, cluelessness dogged the NATION.
The weather was cloudy. No seed could sprout. Even the shifts in cultivation failed. Metaphorically, drought enveloped our land, and the waters where they could still be found were polluted with oil spillages.
Dislocation and mismanagement were all over the place. As barrenness looms and helps seemingly out of reach, the question was, when cometh the TIME?
From the proclamations of the two Holy Books, all indications put the TIME as NOW!
Unknown to many, God, in his infinite mercies, had directed a miracle in the works. Diagnosis and prognosis of our afflictions were carried out. The results were manifestly unmistakable to discernible minds.
The South was essentially “progressive” in inclination but conservative in practice. Conversely, the North was found to be “conservative” in inclination but progressive in practice. The southern elites, at the approach of political groupings, were often found as associates, those northerners, whom the core north consider as “da his ka” (area boys and girls). The reverse was also the case with the Northern elites in cahoot with the southern political “da his ka” (area boys and girls).
The miracle workers recognized this. Not satisfied, they set out to bring it all together across the board. Handshakes were extended across both Niger and Benue. All with caution as previous attempts were not successful. North/East, North/West, West/Middle belt, West/East, West/South-South, and variants of such combinations were contemplated. Yet, the time was not ripe.
Then came 1993. All the barriers were broken across age, gender, class, culture, religious and tribal divides.
We agreed that the TIME was with us.
Alas!, it eventually turned out a mirage, and Hope 93 irreparably dashed! The rest is history.
Undeterred, the ordained miracle workers forged ahead.
Mutations and transmutation of political groupings as the prelude to the ultimate TIME came into being. ACD, AC, CPC, DPA, APGA, ACN, nPDP, SDP, LP, and the many cleavages.
Then, as forerunners to the TIME, came the three-time “LULE” and then the appearance of the silver lining.
In the midst of the rottenness, the seed is miraculously sprouting. Alignments and re-alignments heightened despite bottlenecks deliberately placed as clogs in the wheel of progress.
The silver lining, like the comet in the sky, was almost obliterated. The national treasury was thrown ajar without qualms. “The dog and the baboon were about to be soaked in their own blood.” Then, “Saint” Jonathan with an unprecedented phone call, saved the nation and preserved the TIME.
Contentious performance indicators dogged the prelude of the incoming TIME. To be, or not to be, the date was appointed, taking a cue from the 30 years of suspended hope. It was February 25, 2023.
Eighteen Political Parties were lined up on the starting blocks. Intrigues, backbiting, blackmail, and slandering amongst others were deployed and unleashed with reckless abandon to run down opponents.
No holds barred!
At long last,18 parties managed to scale the hurdles. The stage was set for the fierce and titanic battle. Analysts predicted the domination of the big four! It was difficult to predict where the pendulum would swing. The tension everywhere was palpable!
The day broke with an uncommon serenity. The weather was clement. Voters disregarded the pains of cash crunch and fuel scarcity. The skyrocketing prices and the attendant inconveniences were given benign disregard. Onto the polling booths, they moved with determination, albeit in trepidation.
The apathetic and the fearful were kept indoors. Security presence was light as the polling processes commenced. The financial inducement of voters was not noticeable. There was a palpable determination to exercise their franchise unmolested.
In most areas, the process was transparent and hitch-free. At the close of balloting, it was clear the elusive peace was around the corner. As the results started rolling in, it became increasingly clear that the TIME is unmistakable with us!
The naysayers attempted deploying their third and fourth strategies with familiar WMD and newly introduced arsenals. Crying wolves non existed. They attempted to incite the youths, while their own children were not in sight, through the subterfuge of public letter writing and news conferences.
The option of litigation has always been the fallback position in the civilized political game.
The courage demonstrated by the INEC chairman, Prof Yakubu Mahmud, is commendable. Like the famous Olumo rock, he appeared resolutely impregnable to all the open and not-so-hidden maneuvers.
One after the other, the results from the 36 States and the FCT were systematically and calmly taken.
GBAM !!! At last, the figures have been announced. The WINNER has been declared!
Like smoldering wood thrust into a pool of water, let the gathering storms vanish, and the tension doused. The naysayers are advised to fall in line and pay obeisance to the incontrovertible arrival of TIME!
Congratulations to all the contestants and their followers for the relatively peaceful conduct before and during the polls.
By God’s grace, peace shall be permanent in our lives!
Here is wishing the President-elect abundance of wisdom, reinvigorated health, and rejuvenated faith. He needs all to sustain the broken barriers and to build strong reinforcements, such as we need to further strengthen us as a strong and cohesive nation.
The TIME, eventually, is here with us, with all promises.
Collective efforts, tenacity of purpose, and expected synergy, all are needed and shall be ours, In Shaa Allah.
May God bless our outgoing and incoming presidents.
May God bless Nigeria!
Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka.
