IF TOMORROW WAS 2015… “Asari Dokubo has promised bloodshed, Buhari has severally issued warnings and APC promises to fight” What will happen if 2015 begins tomorrow? I remember one of my best moments in Kongo when my bosom friend, a trained journalist now a lawyer, mockingly recalled an old Nigerian newspaper which reported a sad story with a catchy headline titled: HARD TIMES ARE HERE, NIGERIA IS BROKE…… Each time I mull over the plight of this country, I see so many meanings in this single word “broke”. It’s a nation that is pitifully broke in so many respects; this country is not only financially broke as it continues to dole out huge sums to militants/cronies, it is also socially broke, culturally broke, democratically broke, educationally broke and in one piece, it is economically broke. Nigeria is the only country whose political ambition commands more interest and attention than her economic ambition. Nigeria, our country is that painfully troubled entity kneeling helplessly on her injured knees on the verge of a tragic collapse. The BOKOHARAM-ridden North-Eastern Nigeria, kidnapping and shocking degrees of oil theft, strike actions crumbling upon one another, executive impunity and most annoyingly, PDP’s democratic woes are the same thick lice feasting on Nigeria’s body politic. Yesterday within the many debates I had alone in my mind, I almost concluded we are rolling up 2014 and that soon 2015 shall set in; no wonder the heated politicking. Alas, while 2015 is in fact the year after the next, a review of 2012 plus the departing 2013 leaves Nigeria with an E-grade. And I think I am a lenient examiner! On the other hand, Nigeria’s public is usually the poor beggar with no choice or perhaps with a single choice: keep waiting until 2015 when we will deceive you again and where you prove stubborn, we will just rig it. “Notin Dey Happen!” As for me, I know that Nigeria’s ongoing crises in all political quarters is all about Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition and I don’t think we have a Mandela in this country who will be humbly satisfied with a single term in office. Obasanjo himself wanted a third term and all these Governors would do the same. My only concern is fulfillment of pledges, service delivery, effective governance and progressive growth and development in the economy of this country. This can come from anybody and from any party. If Ebele would do all these, fine! But if he is deemed bereft of the political capacity and strength to turn around the destiny of this country, the opposition parties should give him a good fight. No matter what, a serious nation should not sacrifice the economy of this country for political ambitions! Brr. Muhammad-Kabir Abdullah