Aso Villa for Sale: Presidential Aspirant offers delegates 25m each
By Gambo Jagindi
May 25, 2022
The warm up to 2023 General Elections is indeed full of drama and surprises, but I can confidently say that Nigeria has never had it so bad. Pondering over the happenings around the country and the build up to the 2023 General Elections has left me with a sour taste in the mouth. It is obvious that what Nigerians will witness in this political era has never been witnessed anywhere in the world. It is indeed glaring that we have continued to move down on an uncontrolled speed that I am sure global spectators are wondering if Nigeria can even be called a country of sane people.
Recent happenings have really shown that only devine intervention can save this country from the hands of these blood hounds that call themselves politicians. A report that a former governor of one of the North East states, who is working for a big masquerade and a South West presidential aspirant, said they were ready to offer each delegate the sum of N25 million for their votes at the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries is to put it mild, appalling.
Close sources at the meeting said when he realised the implications of his offer, he tried, albeit helplessly, to do damage control, but the cat had been let out of the bag and Nigerians now know that the Presidential Villa has been out up for sale to the highest bidder.
It is ironic that there are still super rich men in the North East that has been ravaged by insurgency and terrorism, or how else can one explain the recent attack of the convoy of one of the politicians from that region, who is also working with the said former governor? It was reported that in the attack, some policemen were killed, expensive cars were confiscated, and some high profile members of the south west presidential aspirant were abducted. In less than 24 hours however, ransoms were paid on those that were kidnapped who have since regained their freedom. Those affected however, are not saying anything. What are they hiding?
How can an impoverished country like Nigeria, which has been battered by economic downturn, insecurity, infrastructure collapse, weak administrative systems, corruption, ethnic and religious crises, inter-tribal wars, and lots of unhealthy baggage too many to list, be so attractive that some people are ready to spend billions to be at the helm of its affairs?
It is expected that in civilised climes, what is expected is delegates lobbying, but in Nigeria, it gradually became delegate buying, bringing us to this current status that cannot even be qualified.
It is unfortunate that politicians who have over the years brought Nigeria down to her knees are determined to ensure that our country is flat on the ground, as they continue to hold sway and those in authority that should protect the country and the people they swore to protect look the other way or are outrightly aiding and abetting.
These so called primaries unfortunately, leave Nigerians at the mercy of ruthless politicians, who are ready to buy any post and at any cost.
If Nigeria has been put up for sale to the highest bidder, I advise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to open a bidding process let us know who is taking what and at what price so that we do not go spending a lot of resources to organise sham elections, even though we know the money saved from such efforts would still be looted by the same people. But at least poor Nigerians would be saved the trouble of killing each other fighting for those that will eventually come together to rob them and queuing under harsh conditions to cast votes that will not count anyway.
How did we get here? When did all these begin? What lies in store for our dear nation and the citizenry? When will all these end? Where do we go from here? These and many more are questions begging for answers.`
I can only say the game has just begun; it is the political elites versus the common man. Danger looms, and those in authority seem to be unaware, and if something is not done urgently, everyone might wake up to the sad reality that there is no country to be governed or even a people to be led.
Jagindi is a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja” via jagindi2016@gmail.com 07065466654