Buhari and 2017
President Muhamadu Buhari (PMB) was elected because of his reputation for personal integrity and track record of anti-corruption. Projected as a “saviour” who would instantly put all our problems right, as he enters his third calendar year of office his reputation has been harmed by his slow start, backtracking on election promises, and the appointment […]
President Muhamadu Buhari (PMB) was elected because of his reputation for personal integrity and track record of anti-corruption. Projected as a “saviour” who would instantly put all our problems right, as he enters his third calendar year of office his reputation has been harmed by his slow start, backtracking on election promises, and the appointment of tainted characters into key positions. Furthermore, the undeniable predominance of his kinsmen in his key appointments is contrary to the federal character principle. Even though his supporters take serious umbrage at negative assessments of him, and aggressively refer to him as some sort of “Deity” who shouldn’t be criticised under any circumstances, the fact remains that PMB is fast losing the widespread public support which won him the election.
Many comparisons between him and his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan are unfavourable prompting the latter to become irritatingly more vocal. For example Jonathan budgeted N1 Billion for feeding in the Villa, PMB N1.7 Billion. Jonathan spent N1.4 billion servicing presidential jets, PMB N6 billion. Jonathan funded education and built new universities, PMB budgeted more for Ministry of Information than Ministry of Education. Jonathan spent N8 million per foreign trip on average, PMB N55 million. Jonathan created jobs, PMB’s policies have caused unemployment. Jonathan’s fuel price was N87, PMB’s N150. Jonathan’s dollar exchange rate was N185, under PMB there are 11 different “official” dollar exchange rates. For Pilgrims’ it’s N197; Customs N285; Budget N305; Interbank N315; Fuel Imports N316; International Bank Card N319; Travelex N345; Special Funds Airlines N355; Western Union N375; Bureau De Change N399; and Black Market N488!
The much-highlighted lack of relevant competence in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has resulted in unemployment, economic decline, out of control inflation and increased levels of hardship throughout the nation. FEC’s lack of innovative ideas is indicated by their inexcusable failure to send any Executive Bill to the National Assembly for consideration in 2016. PMB must shuffle his cabinet and bring in competent technocrats with creative thought process who can provide innovative solutions to Nigeria’s problems. Even his much-touted anti-corruption immersed in allegations of lacking due process increasingly appears to be only a tool with which to target political opponents.
It’s deceitful to be said to be fighting corruption in a situation where the Halliburton Report is being buried and N432 million budgeted to purchase vehicles for the very people whom the report indicts! As the negatives pile up against PMB’s his public relations machinery has been far below par. There have been too many gaffes, the most memorable being the First Lady’s BBC interview and PMB’s widely publicised reaction. Perhaps the worst gaffe which has lost him so much support is PMB’s “body language” regarding rampaging Fulani herdsmen. When cows went missing in Zamfara he inaugurated a cow rescue team, but when 53 villages were attacked in 5 LGA’s, over 800 people killed and 16 churches burnt he did nothing.
Cynics and political opponents had a field day ridiculing PMB saying he prefers cows to people because cattle don’t earn salaries, don’t require human rights, and don’t care about the cost or availability of electricity. Indeed, while drivers are harassed for all sorts of unnecessary particulars, cows roam our roads freely, and while the importation of foodstuffs is being banned, grass to feed cows is being imported from Brazils.
The current joke making the rounds is that nowadays in Nigeria it’s better to be a cow than a human being! Even the Nigerian army has decided to send soldiers for training in cattle rearing. As regards the military PMB’s tenure so far has been a qualified success in terms of anti-terrorist military operations. There were no Church bombings this Christmas, the Army finally occupied Sambisa forest, and the North-East is returning to some semblance of normality. However, as PMB’s support base diminishes and talk of another “Mega-Party” grows, our nation is unravelling at the seams.
Something urgent must be done in 2017. The time worn mantra of “One Nigeria” is hollow. Nigeria isn’t one nation, it’s many nations forced to live together in an unjust union. In reality Nigerians don’t share a common vision or single national aspiration. In complete contradiction of the national anthem we aren’t “bound in freedom peace and unity”. Our unity is borne out of compulsion not conviction. All the constitutional conferences and agitations for self-determination since independence have simply been attempts to bring some degree of justice, equity and fairness to our affairs. There are those who believe quite erroneously that calls for true federalism are a plot to disintegrate the country, but there is no avoiding the fact that the only way forward is to boldly initiate a leaner Federal structure. PMB still has two years to turn his administration around.
In all truthfulness if elections were held today his victory couldn’t be guaranteed. If he is to have any lasting impact on our affairs and be a great Nigerian leader as opposed to a great northern leader, then PMB must facilitate restructuring the nation politically and economically. Disappointingly his 2017 budget is just another uninspired cut and paste exercise. Honest and hard-working Nigerians will have to learn to let go of the good life which they deserve and embrace the poor one that awaits them this year.