Can it get any worse?

By Joseph Edgar . . . .

That is exactly what is on my mind this morning. Can it get any worse? As the Boko Haram menace is abating, the Fulani herdsmen have suddenly found their mojo, killing and maiming all over the place and our suggested solution is to build ranches for them.

Are we a serious people? Build ranches for mass murderers, then we should release Reverend King while we are still at it.

Today as I head out to work, I am listening to the radio and the resurgent militancy in the south south is the topic on discuss. The Niger Delta militants have renewed their onslaught on our oil infrastructure, carrying out two devastating attacks that were designed to bring the country to its knees.

Me I am really getting scared. This to me is really the sounding of the death knell for our nation. Resources are scarce and really stretched battling the insurgency in the north and I really doubt if we can sustain a concise response to these two issues at the same time.

We are being attacked from two sides while our leaders are busy fighting in the centre. What hope do we have, how can we survive and our President is permanently in the air.

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As I contend with these issues, the arrests of Bank CEOs also come to mind. At the last count three have been invited to come and tell the authorities what they know about slush electoral funds. One I hear has returned a huge sum and this while we are happy about it would impact negatively on the bank and its shareholders.

Already the banks are tethering with the ongoing harsh economic climate so you can begin to imagine what will happen to these banks who are now made to refund monies they have already digested. This is not to support illegality but then again a careful balance will just have to be achieved between the recoveries of these funds and the health of the banking system.

So once again, can it get worse? I think it will because from where I am seated I am not seeing clarity in terms of leadership which is needed to forge strong and effective policies to combat these issues. The Saraki debacle will continue to stunt the much needed cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature, the executive too is also stunted by what Ezekwesili called ‘command and control’ style of governance.

So people, it will get worse. More jobs will be lost, more lives will be lost by the dual menace of marauding herdsmen and militants in the south, the economy will continue on a free fall and we would be left desolate.

I am sorry that I am sounding this paranoid but I really do not see anything or hope in the near future for ourselves and our children.

 

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