“I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” — Mary, Queen of Scots.
In a country where people know how to pray, leadership, government or politicians cannot take them for granted.
Today, I personally decided to drive around the main streets around my office and home to check out the banks and ATM sites and generally get a feel for what is happening. Some banks are closed – their rationale is, “why open when we have no cash”. Some banks have long queues for people to enter, and one bank has queues at their ATMs. Very loud for me is the speed at which Zenith bank (Emefiele’s former boss was the first to lock up to the public). Today is Friday, which means many people are entering this weekend without cash if nothing drastic happens today.
A few staff are not in the office here in Lagos, there are fights going on in their area, and it’s safe they stay at home. A few are not in the office because the cash they have is not being accepted. In the South, there is news of banks being burnt, fights, and unrest. The North seems quiet, as it seems the north is operating by different rules as far as old notes or new notes are concerned.
The President, who is supposed to be taking his bow out at his highest, is currently looking at his weakest. With an initially strong stance behind the Naira swap, he has conceded to “approve” the inclusion of the old N200 in the process for 60 more days. Many newspaper houses reported that he ordered the CBN, but the actual words from the lips of the presidency were “approved”. The Governor of Kaduna state has suddenly become very vocal in calling out the President. First, he called him out for calling for free and fair elections rather than supporting his party. Then calling him out again today that the CBN governor must have deceived him into thinking the Naira swap has any effect on free and fair elections. The President has agreed that his 100% support was for his party and then, in another breath, said Nigerians should vote for who they want from any party. Honestly, in the words of “Nadem”, something is missing.
The CBN Governor is asserting that the banks have been given new notes. Many of the Banks are not operating, at least here in the South. The banks are acting out against their Governor. Either the CBN Governor is lying, or the Bank Managing Directors are lying, but at least one of them is not telling the truth.
At the base of all of these happenings, the victims are truly the people. People are walking long distances, going without food, and market people are selling their products to bank transfers without alert – “at least make I sell”. Companies, particularly those who do business in cash, are suffering. The cash they have, they can’t take to the bank. Employees are suffering, and transportation is now mostly by trekking. Those with cars need to go through serious ordeals to fuel them. People in Hospitals who need quick cash to sort out quick things because of the bureaucracy of these hospitals are stranded. The people are boiling, and the government has not provided any coolant.
There seems to be a battle line drawn. On one side is the Presidency, his CBN, and the invisible yet powerful cabal. On the other side are the bank MDs, the Governors and politicians, and the people. On both sides of the divide, the supreme court is playing here and there. The political parties are carefully gathered around the lines as well, they are in their own particular contest, and the heating environment will tell on the entire electoral process.
Nigeria is at a boiling point, and the Lord is not unaware. What He wants to do, we need to join in with God and pray that God’s will be done in our nation as it is in heaven. If you know how to pray, take some time out today, and plead with God to have mercy on Nigeria. Pray that God will hear our cry and descend into the arena.
I am persuaded that from today, happenings in Nigeria will begin to come together with bewildering rapidity as we gradually transform from a nation of shame to a nation of fame, for His name’s sake.
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Kind Regards,
Adeolu Akinyemi
