With the 2023 general elections less than three months away, many Nigerians are in displeasure against the current administration and ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Some of the Nigerians, who spoke to DAILY POST on the streets of Abuja, made it clear that they do not have any personal issues with the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu but feel betrayed by the party, President Buhari, and his administration
The APC and Muhammadu Buhari came into governance in 2015 with a lot of mouth-watering campaign promises to Nigerians. These promises made by Buhari and his party include: Public declaration of his assets and liabilities, state and community policing, revival of Ajaokuta steel company, creation of employment scheme to employ over 740,000 graduates, creation of three million jobs per year, 720,000 jobs by the states in the federation per annum, national gender policy implementation, ban on medical tourism for all government officials, payment of allowances to unemployed youths, among others.
Others are free education at primary, secondary and students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, ECOWAS currency by 2020, eradication of state of origin, replacing that with state of residence to ensure Nigerians are Nigerians first, before anything else.
This administration also promised the establishment of Crime Squad to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, militants, ethno-religious and communal clashes nationwide
They also said they were going to stop all political office holders from earning more than their salaries and emoluments determined and approved by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, RMFAC, among other huge campaign promises as contained in the party’s policy document.
However, the citizens feel that the last seven years have witnessed failed promises.
Under the APC’s administration controlled by Buhari, the citizens have found life very difficult as once very affordable commodities have turned gold and beyond the reach of the common man.
Crayfish, garri, cooking gas, vegetables and castor oil to bitter leaf, the prices are almost 100 per cent up; some are actually above 100 per cent over the last seven years.
Survey checks carried out by our correspondent showed that a kilogramme of chicken that sold for N1000 in 2015 is now sold at N2,200. A bag of pure water, formerly sold at between N80 to N100 is now N300.
Also, the price of a 50kg measure of white garri that went for N6,000 in 2015 has more than doubled to N17,000 to N20,000 in 2022.
A 50kg of rice sold for between N8000 to N10,000 in 2015, is now selling for N40,000 to N50,000, while a 50kg measure of beans that sold for N21,500 in 2015 is now selling for N45,000 to N50,000.
A litre of oil that could be purchased at N250 in 2015 now costs between N800 and N1200, while a big basket of fresh pepper, which sold at N11,000 in 2015 is now selling for N20,000.
Also, a big basket of tomatoes, which was sold for N10,000 in 2015, now costs N17,000.
Also up from N100 in 2015 to N220 in 2022 is 120 grams of noodles.
A crate of egg, which sold for N600 in 2015, now sells for between N2,200 to N2500, while a litre of vegetable oil which cost N300 in 2015 now goes for N1,700.
Automobiles, electrical appliances, transportation, motorparts, building materials and other household appliances are now beyond the reach of the ordinary people.
So, most Nigerians insist that the Buhari administration set the country backwards.
“For me, the only problem I have with the APC presidential candidate is that he was among the people that brought us into this mess. After all, we can see everything he did as the Governor of Lagos State. His human and physical structures. Had it been that this administration did well, he wouldn’t have had much problem taking over from Buhari. But now Nigerians are thinking ‘how do we travel this road again?’ Let’s not pretend, this administration has weakened the people, especially with hunger and starvation,” Joel Agbo told DAILY POST in Wuse, Abuja.
Another Abuja resident, Chigozie Onyekwere, said, “Things have become ten times harder than they were before Buhari took over government in 2015. No one needs to be told. It has affected everyone, even those who used to think they were rich. It’s a difficulty period for Nigerians and we can only pray for something better in 2023. Is it food, house, transport or what have you?
“People are suffering. From 2015 when Buhari became President, even our security has totally collapsed. Do you know the number of Nigerians that have died of hardship, hunger and insecurity? So if you ask me, my problem with Tinubu is that he is a member of APC and brought Buhari to power and APC has failed Nigerians. It’s left for him to convince Nigerians to still trust him despite the current situation of the country.”
“The APC has totally failed Nigerians in the past seven years. For me, there’s absolutely nothing good to point to in this government. Is it the constant fuel scarcity? These days Nigerians are beginning to see fuel scarcity as a way of life. No one complains or protests anymore. Abnormal things became normal under this administration.
“Now, let me ask you, when was the last time you heard from Buhari? We no longer know when he’s around or travelled out for medical tourism. The people are helpless, that’s why most Nigerians, those of us who like this country, want a change in 2023. Now to answer your question, I don’t have any issue with Tinubu. If a person says he’s strong and capable [health wise] to lead a country like Nigeria, I don’t think anyone has the right to question him. But we all know that APC has not helped him in any way.
“The current government wasn’t people-oriented. So Tinubu has to work. He has to convince Nigerians of his capabilities to drive the country out of this mud. As you can see, Buhari has conducted the worst government in the history of this country. Now, how are they succeeding in marketing themselves to Nigerians? I don’t know,” Yusuf Dankwairo asked.
