Promise Adiele

Nigeria musicians are interesting people. Some of them commit to real music, using its medium to address social issues. Others simply commit to foolery, composing meaningless songs which either offend our sense of decency or have no positive impact on the society. While the former category of musicians belongs to the past, the latter category dominates the present with jejune lyrics which basically promote immorality.

However, there are some musicians in the present day who have distinguished themselves, using their music to engage contemporary reality. One of such musicians is a young man whose composition and vocal symphony have caught the attention of the world. His music provides a yardstick to scrutinize Nigeria’s current political experience and the need for us to pray. His stage name is Adekunle Gold, his real name is Adekunle Kosoko.

I do not know Adekunle Gold beyond media reviews. However, his songs fascinate me, especially the track “Pick Up”. In the song, the musician implores God to answer an imaginary phone call which is used as a metaphor to symbolize prayer and supplication. He begs God to answer his prayers in various degrees ranging from providing a wife to providing wealth through blessing his labour. His argument in the prayer hinges on the fact that Nigeria’s two billionaires, Aliko Dangote, and Femi Otedola do not possess two heads.

Therefore, if God, in his infinite mercy answers Dangote and Otedola’s prayers, He should also answer his prayers. Although Gold’s supplication to God is predicated on materialism and elevation of status, however, it underscores the overwhelming power of the Almighty God to answer prayers and change situations in life where men are helpless.

Nigerians need to pray. I have argued in the past that prayers of requests are only necessary when people are confronted with problems beyond their control. By this, I posit that inundating the Almighty God with every human trivia is absolutely unnecessary. Adekunle Gold’s eventual supplication to the Almighty God is informed by the failure of his physical abilities to yield results. The situation in Nigeria as presently constituted, with regards to unthinkable absurdities, is beyond Nigerians, therefore it is important that we should all, in reverent humility, call upon God, each man in his language. In our country, there is no better time to pray than now. This is because we are confronted with a dilemma and like the natural hunt of esu in the Yoruba pantheon, we have arrived at a crossroad, indecision stares us in the face, revealing our helpless situation.

As the days unfold, it becomes clear that the fight for the soul of Nigeria is between the two leading political parties, APC and PDP. That Nigerians must choose from these two parties constitutes a dilemma. Choosing between the two parties is a choice between the rock and the hard place, between the devil and the proverbial deep blue sea and in this, we must all pray. This is not about party preferences, this is about the soul of Nigeria where we are all stakeholders. The thought that either of the two political parties will win the next election benumbs my heart and rips my soul asunder.

For APC, it is inexplicable how some Nigerians manage to muster maniac support for a government famous for democratic misdirection, pretentious fight against corruption and an economy daily gravitating towards poverty. The APC led government is characterized by all manner of absurdities and shockingly, some people are sworn to docile followership of the party’s every whim. They call themselves Buharists, a word that lacks political or economic significance in global lexicon. For me, another four years of APC government will be years of suffocating privation, aimless roaming in an economic blind alley, and continual motion without movement.

Indeed, APC as a political party does not have the moral justification to stand in an election in Nigeria given that all universities in Nigeria are currently shut down. In order climes, this is enough reason to discredit the current government since it feels as if a comatose educational system is a government policy which must be implemented.

Related News

Yet, some people, fellow victims of hardship, insist that this government must return to power by all means, in this we must all hands up to God and pray. We should pray fervently because what ails us as a country is beyond comprehension.

How did the president, the self-styled patron of integrity, embark on a campaign with a governor alleged to have received millions of dollars in bribes, not stopping there, raised the hands of the said governor to the masses in a show of solidarity? It was a show of shame and a national disgrace. When the president acted arbitrarily by suspending the former CJN and foreign countries condemned the action, the federal government was quick to warn them not to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

However, it defeats reason and common sense to see thousands of people led by two governors from Niger Republic attend APC’s campaigns. In such a case, it does not amount to interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. Would the situation be the same assuming two governors from Ghana and thousands of Ghanaians arrive in Nigeria to attend a PDP presidential campaign all dressed in PDP regalia?

Indeed, are we advised to enthrone a NextLevel of double standards, travail, poverty, nepotism and economic illiteracy of 21st-century repute? We must pray that God should answer our calls without delay.

For the PDP, it is distressing to watch their campaign speeches couched in composite falsehood and blatant economic analyses built on fallacies. One imagines how it is possible for the party to get so desperate by resorting to mendacity, more lies, and many more lies. If indeed, the party is committed to making Nigeria work again, one wonders whether Nigeria will be able to work again on a foundation of falsehood. Those who support the PDP and their presidential candidate say they are Atikulated, and I ask, Atikulated on what, on falsehood and faulty economic dynamics? I do not know of any religion or creed that promotes lying, therefore, it is worrying that in the event PDP wins the next election, our economic structures and the political foundation will be unfortunately built on lies.

To consistently compare Nigeria to China without paying attention to the peculiarities of the two countries is not only mischievous but also misleading. PDP has failed woefully to explain in a responsible way how Nigeria can work again with verifiable facts and figures and this should be a major concern to every Nigerian.

The situation in Nigeria is beyond our abilities and efforts, therefore we must pray to God for divine intervention. The prospect of another four years under APC is nauseating and purpose defeating. Also, the thought of having PDP at the saddle is insomnia-inducing and consistently distressing.  This is the time for every Nigerian who loves this country to pray. Let us jettison our personal worries and hand over the soul of this country to Almighty God. Let us pray.

Dr Adiele writes from Lagos via [email protected]