• • APC: A GOVERNMENT OF SUFFERING AND DESPAIR.

Aare Amerijoye DOT.B.

The current state of Nigeria under the leadership of the APC government, particularly under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, can only be described as an unrelenting nightmare—a colossal failure that has not only deepened the wounds of an already ailing nation but also magnified the suffering of her people. The cries of the masses reverberate through every corner of the country, yet the government remains deaf to their pleas. Fuel now costs an outrageous N1,200 per liter, while gas prices have skyrocketed to almost N1,400 per kilogram, leaving Nigerians grappling with an unprecedented cost of living crisis. In this period of national disarray, one is left wondering what Nigeria would have been if someone with true knowledge, wisdom, and a genuine plan had been at the helm.

That someone is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku’s vision for Nigeria, as detailed in his manifesto, was nothing short of profound. A man equipped with wisdom as sharp as any sword and a deep understanding of the Nigerian condition, Atiku offered practical solutions to the very problems that now plague the nation under APC rule. His manifesto wasn’t just a promise—it was a detailed roadmap to salvation, a beacon of hope that, if followed, would have steered Nigeria towards prosperity. In superlative terms, it can be said without hesitation that Atiku stands as a giant of intellect, a statesman whose depth of thought rivals the greatest minds in history. Had he been given the opportunity to lead, Nigeria would not be gasping for air today.

In the words of Virginia Woolf, “You cannot find peace by avoiding life,” but it seems that the APC government has avoided not just life, but reason, logic, and compassion. Every day, the suffering becomes more tangible. The streets of Nigeria are lined with the weary faces of citizens who have been pushed into periods of frustration, depression, confusion, terror, and stress. The body count of sudden deaths rises, and the reason is simple: the weight of hardship has pushed many to the brink of high blood pressure, heart failure, terrible ailments and ultimately death. The Tinubu administration seems to have engineered an era of systematic decay, leaving a legacy of untold hardship.

Atiku, on the other hand, is the embodiment of reasoned leadership. His approach to governance is grounded in logic, practical solutions, and an unshakeable belief in the power of unity to solve Nigeria’s most pressing issues. As Dory Previn once said, “We are the choices we make,” and Nigerians now live the consequences of choosing the wrong leadership. Atiku’s choices, as outlined in his vision for Nigeria, would have led us to a future filled with opportunities, economic stability, and a fairer society.

It is not an overstatement to describe Atiku as a visionary with unparalleled foresight, a leader who possesses the wisdom of a thousand sages. His manifesto was a masterclass in governance, showing a clear understanding of Nigeria’s complex socio-economic problems and offering innovative ways to solve them. Instead of the price of fuel soaring to the sky and the masses being left in darkness, Atiku’s government would have utilised Nigeria’s natural resources efficiently, ensuring that fuel, gas, and other essentials were affordable for all.

In the words of Edith Sitwell, “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire.” But under the APC government, Nigerians have been left in the cold—not just physically but emotionally and economically. There is no warmth, no comfort, no light at the end of this dark tunnel. Atiku’s government, however, would have provided that friendly hand, leading Nigeria out of the winter of suffering and into the spring of prosperity.

The APC government under Tinubu has proven itself to be an unmitigated disaster. It is a government of oxymoronic policies, where they claim to govern for the people, yet leave the people in deeper misery. They claim to be fixing the economy, yet it’s clear that the nation is *economically bleeding* under their leadership.

Atiku’s proficiency, knowledge, and unparalleled wisdom would have been the antidote to this *monumental failure*. Nigeria today would have been better off, with policies that favour the masses rather than a select few. Atiku would have ushered in an era of *economic growth, social justice, and national unity*.

The tragedy, however, is that we are now witnessing the consequences of not placing such a capable leader at the helm. As the people continue to suffer, there is only one conclusion: had Atiku Abubakar been allowed to steer the ship, Nigeria would have been saved from this ocean of despair.