PUZZLES UNDER NIGERIA'S CARPET.
Puzzles are now multiplying under the carpet of the current dispensation in Nigeria.
And they are getting harder to crack.
The first to emerge was the pattern of voting during the last presidential elections. It was certainly almost 100% no for both incumbent Jonathan and major challenger Buhari in clear parts of the country. Yet after Jonathan conceded defeat, losers who crossed carpet made almost the same statement: We are joining our colleagues in the winning party.
Now, according to new INEC boss, it has become clear that in more recent elections, there continues to be a wide gap between voters registered and the ones who collect voters cards and vote.
Besides, observed INEC, the 2015 elections were adjudged the best so far in Nigeria yet, it has come up with the greatest number of results annulled by the Tribunals.
The puzzles include could it be that birds of the same feather manipulated the results for different candidates in different regions? How come?
Yet another puzzle under the carpet for now has to do with the alleged diversion of money meant for arms purchase to other areas by retired Colonel Dasuki. Fine, so far without publicly hearing from Dasuki, it has been confirmed by former finance minister that such money was indeed released to him. Also confirmed so far is the fact that many political big wigs have admitted receiving various amounts from Dasuki' s office.
So far, so good. But then, how come a generals name appeared on the list? It is confirmed too that he has returned N100m and promised to balance up. Now, what was he to do with the money? How come he caved in so easily and just as easily coughed out N100m? You mean he did not deploy the money for what it was intended and so, was it was still sitting idle?
Then retired General Buhari also found his name on the list but he explained that it was after he had been attacked by Book Haram and so, was apparently given bullet proof SUV as former head of state. No sweat. Was the general who so readily coughed out N100m attacked too?
More puzzles have also emerged, this time from the Central Bank of Nigeria recent cancellation of weekly sale of foreign exchange to Bureau de change. No issues at all with the decision, in fact Henates was more inclined to say it came almost too late but thank God, hard times finally made it possible.
The curious part has to do with the CBN's claim that many BDCs not only brazenly exceeded their deal limits, but more importantly, supplied the CBN with fake Bank Verification Numbers and conjured figures in statutory reports. Now, how come none of these BDCs have been prosecuted? How come their executive officers and perhaps , audit persons who signed those documents are not considered worthy of the treatment being meted out to those who diverted public monies? They over years profited from diverting hard earned and desperately needed foreign exchange.
One more puzzle and we are done. This one is abit more straight forward. How come the Buhari presidency seems to be made up of people who apparently do not pay attention to details? Simple but no one said it was easier to resolve.
Take the case of the President himself announcing N200m from his prepared speech instead of N2m award to 1985 eaglets during his recent honour to sports award winners. Take the mistake infested Budget 2016? Take Mr President's reported "personal opinion" over the issue of bail for fund diverters.
Yet information minister, Lai Mohammed was reported to have expressed the same sentiments in his chat with media executives recently. He reportedly said all diverted the said arms purchase funds lost their right to fair treatment until proven guilty.
So why waste the nations time and resources to persecute them in court if their rights have been lost? Why not just declare a state of emergency over corruption and so, within the constitution, Buhari can arrest them, try them and shoot them to his heart's content? At least, until the national assembly refuses to endorse his emergency rule.
However the more embracing puzzle under the carpet, is why has Buhari been making so many avoidable and embarrassing mistakes?
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