It has ostensibly become imperative to come up with the aforementioned question or finding, towards ascertaining what the fate of Nigeria entails as we eagerly look into the future.

It is Ecclesiastes 3 in the Holy writ that advises mankind that “There’s time for everything” under the Sun. That very verse is trying to let us comprehend that whatever we intend to do, ought to be done at the apt time, else we will stand to regret our actions.

It’s on this premise I have thought it wise to tender this inquiry, having understood that this is the right moment for such a statement. This implies that my humble and candid question is seriously begging for not just an answer but a sincere one.

If we look inwards, we would observe that every dick and harry in the political corridor is tightening his or her seatbelt with a view to attracting the people’s support and encouragement as regards the awaited electioneering era in Nigeria.

In some quarters, some of these politicians have decided to go spiritual having perceived that physical means aren’t usually reliable. Please, don’t get my analysis twisted.

The truth of the matter is that the ongoing scenario has succeeded in blindfolding some Nigerians who had allowed themselves to be cajoled. It’s even more pathetic and saddening that some citizens of the country are still hell bent not to listen to words of wisdom that are persistently knocking at their respective doors.

Most times, people assert that I talk or write not unlike a prophet. The point is that I invariably ensure issues are deeply thought over by me before commenting on, or analyzing, them. This is simply because I have understood strongly that well thought actions are often headed in the right direction. So, each time I hide under this philosophy, people are compelled to believe that I’m a soothsayer.

The above question is not unconnected with the fact that anyone who belongs to any society or group must regularly be ready to ask him/herself the direction the association is heading to. Failure to come up with such a finding, I’m afraid, the group in question might fade off without the knowledge of the member in question.

We must, therefore, always be willing to ascertain the state or wellbeing of any society we find ourselves towards, enabling us to realize what we are expected to do in regard to the way forward.

Of course, no right thinking person would want his society, either immediate or wider, to be characterized by crisis. This is the reason we are all required to be careful and mindful of our thoughts and actions as they affect any society we are into.

In this case, we are solely concerned about Nigeria as an entity. It has become compelling for me to unequivocally state that I’m so displeased with some key personalities who the citizens or masses look up to. An elder statesman who refuses to be cautious of his actions at all times has as well refused to be recognized as one.

Nigeria can only get better when we have collectively agreed to make it so. No existing society gets better if its teeming subjects are not making any effort or moving in that direction. It is only by the common might of the members of a certain organization that such a group becomes stronger. In other words, a house divided against itself can never stand.

It’s the civic responsibility of the citizens to ask themselves where Nigeria is headed for at such a critical time like this when every rational individual is strongly concerned about the way forward.

It’s noteworthy that an outsider cannot do such a manner of thinking on behalf of Nigerians. It is the duty of the citizens to do the needful for themselves rather than allowing strangers to take actions on their behalf.

I must inform us that Nigeria will never forgive every stakeholder in the country if they failed to do what was expected of them. We must, therefore, not continue to sell our birthright for a mere pot of porridge yam.

We may have erred in the past, but the joy is that another time has obviously come for us to correct our mistakes. It suffices to say that a golden opportunity has eventually arrived to enable us to address all the wrongs we recorded in the past.

It’s pertinent to acknowledge that absolutely nothing should be for sale as far as elections are concerned. Your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC), which remains your only power at the polls, is not for sale nor is your vote. This was strongly and clearly stated in my previous analysis on this platform.

More so, your conscience isn’t meant to be sold for any reason whatsoever. Above all, you aren’t required to sell your right or franchise. Hence, all our belongings need to be safeguarded with the last drop of our blood.

Fellow Nigerians, it’s obvious that Nigeria is currently passing through a trial. One thing we shouldn’t take for granted is the need to take a meaningful and sound step that ought to be emulated by generations yet unborn.

Nigerians must therefore learn to contribute meaningfully towards the uplift of the country, rather than being part of any movement that would bring it down. We must invariably be prepared to make good decisions; the decision-making process is our collective prerogative, hence mustn’t be allowed to be hijacked by any one or group.

Thus, it would be very reasonable for each of us to sincerely answer the above question if we are truly determined to get it right, moving forward. The future of the country lies in our hands, hence needs to be handled with absolute seriousness.

If we want Nigeria to be headed for the Promised Land, we must then be willing to contribute our quota wisely and genuinely.  

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has delivered a judgment prohibiting the Federal Government from deducting funds from the Federation Account to fund the Nigerian Police Force and other agencies not listed in the constitution to be funded through the federation account. 

Justice Ahmed Mohammed made the declaration while delivering judgment on suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/511/2020 filed by the attorney general of Rivers State on behalf of the Rivers State Government against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) joining the  Accountant General of the Federation, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Minister of Finance to the suit,  on Wednesday, 26th of  January, 2022.

The court in her ruling stated categorically that the provisions of Section 4(1)(a) and (b) of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (Establishment) Act 2019,  that requires the Federal Government to  deduct 0.05 per cent of any funds in the Federation Account and 0.005 per cent of the net profit of companies operating in the country to fund the police are unconstitutional as it conflicts with relevant sections of the constitution.

Accordingly, the Lord Justice stated that by the provision of Section 162(3) of the Constitution, no other entity, outside the three tiers of government is entitled to partake in the sharing of funds standing to the credit of the Federation Account. Based on this therefore, the said Section 4(1) (a) and (b) in the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act is inconsistent with the provision of Section 162(3) of the  1999 Constitution as amended and therefore unconstitutional and void to the extent of its inconsistency.