Thousands of Nigerians have taken to the social media to attack the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega for suggesting that the country is on the brinks of total collapse.
Jega said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2022 Workers’ Political Conference organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress. He described the 2023 general elections as critical for Nigeria’s unity.
Jega said, “The sorry state of the socio-economic conditions under which the Nigerian working people, indeed the overwhelming majority of all citizens live and work, the reckless misrule and misgovernance by a tiny, rabid and reckless band of the elite, and the manner by which these myopic ‘elected’ so-called ‘leaders’ and their collaborators, have devastated the Nigerian economy, heightened insecurity, and virtually destroyed the basis for national cohesion and integration, Nigeria, as a potentially great nation, is crying for a rescue mission before it is too late.
“Such a rescue mission cannot be serious, positive and successful, without the active engagement and involvement of the Nigerian workers through their genuine representatives in working-class organizations and movements, in alliance with other progressive and patriotic Nigerians.
“While Nigeria may not have totally collapsed, it is in the process of collapsing, as reckless elite in control of the governance process are blindly running the country aground. And the 2023 general elections may be the ‘make or break’ epochal moment.
“Given this, all hands of progressive forces must be on deck to prevent our country from imminent collapse, and to turn it around on to a trajectory of good democratic governance for beneficial democratic, socio-economic development, and human security for Nigerian citizens.
“A broad alliance of progressive forces for national rescue and emancipation is absolutely required to get Nigeria out of the current unwholesome predicament in which it finds itself.
“The deliberations at this conference, guided by the lead paper presentation and panel discussion, should help us chart a course for a reinforced commitment to national emancipation and more active engagement participation of Nigerian workers in our current and future political processes.”
But Nigerians from all works of live took to the social media to react to Jega’d postulations, with most of them blaming him for being the architect or contributor to the country’s present situation by conducting the 2015 general election which they say was rigged, especially the presidential election.
While some insulted the former INEC boss, placing curses in him, some said he was campaigning for the 2023 election, saying they would never vote for him if he contests while a few said it was courageous for Jega to speak out boldly to power even though he was complicit in the county’s current travails.
Nelson Usen said- “Jega you are the architect of this mess in the country but be rest assured we will all have the opportunity to defend our deeds on earth.”
Osita Obalu- “It is too late to cry when the deed is done. When you did everything for them to come to power, did you remember that today would be there? It has happened. No going back, the pretense of those in power notwithstanding.”
Amodu Taiwo- “Go and sit down joor.”
Olarewaju Onabayo Onanuga- “If Nigeria ends the way Prof. Jega has predicted, then he should be held responsible for jegalising her.”
Muhammad Goni- “If Nigeria would collapse, then you are the one who pushed it into this shambolistic administration. God bless my country.”
Goodness Olume- “The government you helped bring to power. Na now you know? Well done.”
Omoba Aladeloye- “But you also contributed to the problem facing us today. We all know how our election was overturned.”
Adekunle Olasunkanmi- “No moral justification. You engineered the protocol for national destruction, bad leadership.”
Umar Bello Toro- “The same language used before the 2915 election that Nigeria will totally collapse soon. But you can see we are still living comfortably on our country. Now that election is around the corner, you start the same song. God forbid. We will remain alive beyond 2023in good health, wealth by God Almighty.”
Christopher Olure- “Jega, you killed this country by overturning peoples votes. God will judge you for your evil.”
Kelly Itz- “They are turning saints now.”
Evelyn Poder- “God will hold you responsible for the collapse because you are a major contributor to our sufferings today.”
Mmeyen Ekpeyong- “You mortgaged your conscience by bringing your ally. Now you are crying more than the believed.”
Mojeed Asewale- “Because of your tribalistic and selfish interest, you did this to the nation. But note, because you put our country into this mess, God Almighty will judge you, Insha Allah.”
Muhammad Malita- “Even if Nigeria go collapse, we no go vote you.”
Cyril Chiemezie- “Jega needs to be questioned by the NDLEA.”
But there were also a few who praised Prof. Jega for having the courage to speak to power, in spite of his shortcomings.
Waheed Abdulsalam said- “That’s the truth Prof. and thank your historical courage to speak truth to power. The greatest lose for a country is a nation without visionary leadership. It is tragic and most disturbing.”
Fred Festus- “One of the most beautiful things is the ability to change our minds. Jega may have changed his mind.”