When Muhammadu Buhari toppled Shehu Shagari’s administration in 1983, his main justification for overthrowing a democratically elected government was corruption. He and his accomplice Babatunde Idiagbon then set out to cleanse Nigeria. Many Nigerians applauded them because of policies like the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). Many criticized them because of draconian decrees that gagged the press and suspended rule of law. But most Nigerians didn’t know the true character of Muhammadu Buhari until he came back as a civilian president. His 5 years rule has cured the blindness of many of his most staunch supporters. His nepotism has alienated Yorubas Muslims and Christians who voted for him because of Awolowo’s grand-son-inlaw, Yemi Osinbajo. His cluelessness and ill-qualified finance ministers who have contributed to the recession of the economy have embittered the few Igbos who delusively thought he could curb corruption and uplift commerce and industry. Religious leaders like Tunde Bakare who supported Buhari out of their selfish ambition has been used and continued to present themselves for further abuse. Elder statesmen and intellectuals like Prof. Wole Soyinka and the late Prof. Tampa David West lost much credibility after suretying their reputation to support a former coup plotter and dictator.

Buhari visited Mali a short while ago and a few days later, the government was toppled. Investigative journalists should unravel the truth behind this happenstance. He has since promised to return peace and good governance to Mali something he has been unable to achieve in Nigeria. Nigerians should continue to take note of those who still support Buhari like Tinubu and Amaechi in the face of all that has been happening in Nigeria under his watch. Nigerians should also note those still supporting corrupt politicians in their local constituencies because these guys cannot be trusted in the new Nigeria that will emerge if we do all to constitutionally push Buhari out of Aso rock. Nigerians should also note religious leaders who can be called traitors of the people like Father Mbaka because it is their applause and lack of criticism that continues to embolden the evil and unreasonable men in government. Nigerians should also document civil rights leaders who are presently in a self-induced coma and will later wake up when a Jonathan-like leader emerges. Nigerians must also pencil down family and friends who still support Buhari because these individuals are heartless.

As we collectively work towards bringing the Buhari administration to a sudden end by protests and all other constitutional protocols, know that if you don’t make up your mind and join the teaming citizen civilian army of Nigeria you will be left out of the post-Buhari era. Because we will go into our records and see if you were part of the oppressors or a silent accomplice. The terribleness of our situation makes any onlooker guilty of connivance. There is no place for lukewarmness in a Nigeria where the military aid and abet genocide. There is no sitting on the fence in a Nigeria where choreographed fainting can take you off the hook especially if you are an APC member. A Nigeria were individuals like J.J. Omojuwa, Tolu Ogunlesi, and other conscienceless youths continue to support the mishap they helped to plague Nigerians without repentance and restitution by using their platforms to denounce and expose highhandedness and malfeasance in government. Yes! All hands must be on deck to delete Buhari’s government with all our constitutional arsenal. If you are a soldier, legislator, civil servant, private sector worker, or whoever you are, know that you owe it to Nigerians and yourself to help make Buhari history quickly before 2023. Because at the rate of the killings, kidnappings, and raping of the economy going on, Nigeria might be no more by then.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com