THIS ABUSIVE SOOTUATION

 

I was thinking this morning...... I got into the office on Thursday morning and was booting my computer when my colleague walked in. 'Good morning' he said as he dropped his bag. In my usual manner, I responded 'good morning' and asked 'are you happy today?' He responded 'Hmm! I am trying not to be overwhelmed by Nigeria.' 'How so?' I asked. 'This methanol adulterated petrol (PMS) wahala and the response of the government is really annoying,' he said taking his seat. My brother, considering the economic, physical and mental torture we suffer, living in Nigeria is like being in an abusive relationship.

Yes, that's how it feels. In an abusive relationship, your partner has a controlling and possessive behaviour, he accuses you of being unfaithful or of flirting. He puts you down either publicly or privately and blames you for the problems in the relationship. He threatens to use and sometimes does use violence against you.

To many Nigerians in Abuja and Lagos, the wahala they've faced as a result of this toxic fuel is like being in a toxic relationship. With all the hardship in Nigeria, they have to also contend with the challenge of their car engines knocking. While NNPC and the ministry are playing the blame game, victims are left to their fate. What else is this akin to if not an abusive relationship?

If you are in Port-Harcourt like some of us, then the 'sootuation' is worse. Having faced economic battle, you still have to contend with the environmental pollution from soot from Kpo-fire (illegal refining of crude). You get home to lack of electricity and have to struggle to sleep with the noise from your neighbours generators. The next morning you wake up with an headache. Oh God, deliver us from leaders making Nigeria look like an abusive relationship.

After stressing out your body, videos of yahoo boys eating poo and of ritual killings are more than enough to stress you mentally, making you question whether you should not get out of this relationship as advised by marriage counsellors. Many have already 'japa'ed' but some of us will be here and will pray and put this abusive partner under pressure until he changes (Jeremiah 29:7). This abusive sootuation must stop. 2023 on my mind.

Stay hopeful. God's got your back.

Happy Sunday.

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey