Buhari: Lawyers share expectations

Rickey Tafa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria says he expects “serious commitment and dedication to governance.” He explained that Buhari has consistently indicated the true essence of seeking political office for sake of service which the country has lacked all these while.  Paul Ewekoro (SAN) commends the president-elect for choosing to declare his assets publicly […]

Rickey Tafa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria says he expects “serious commitment and dedication to governance.” He explained that Buhari has consistently indicated the true essence of seeking political office for sake of service which the country has lacked all these while.  
Paul Ewekoro (SAN) commends the president-elect for choosing to declare his assets publicly together with all his political appointees. He called on Buhari to restructure the country by implementing the recommendations of the National Conference.
Albert Owuru, a lawyer and Presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) expresses hope that the Buhari’s consistent message of anti-corruption will propel the campaign for “welfarism and wealth re-distribution in future Nigerian elections.”
“Nigerians who now appear to have regained their constitutional powers and rights to elect leaders of their choice, are entitled to better and better deals at every turn of election to make a choice for their welfare and security at every election to secure the future of this country,” he said.
Barrister Benjamin Uwuah calls on the president-elect to tackle issues of corruption, joblessness and power.  He said: “If he can start from these three points, he can then proceed to other areas like education, agriculture and health. But the first three are very crucial. We need power supply, we need to fight the monster of corruption and we need to create jobs for our youths.”
Also speaking Ernest Idima esq. urged Buhari to diversify the economy by building on the reforms in agriculture and mining. He also canvassed for great effort on corruption, insecurity and national reconciliation.
“General Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda should have top on his agenda the issue of political realignment and reconciliation. His government should be able to see Nigeria as one irrespective of which political platform the politicians contested elections; the battle has been fought and won.
“Buhari is not going to be the president of one geo-political structure, but that of Nigeria. He should build up and advance our democracy beyond where Jonathan left it in ensuring the independence of the electoral body and ensuring free and credible elections. You will agree that we have witnessed a marked improvement in the advancement of democracy through the ballot paper. I would like to see him improve on that.
“Thirdly, Buhari has always been known for his discipline and prudence. He had always, during his campaigns, dwelt much on corruption. And I agree with him that corruption is like a canker worm that has eaten the fabrics of not only the political actors, but the political fabrics of the society. So much so that everywhere you go is corruption,” he said.
On his part, Ugochukwu Ezekiel esq wants the president-elect to look beyond the crop of politicians around him in choosing his team and to seek Nigerians of impeccable character.
“He must sustain the agricultural, power and rail resuscitation policies of the present administration. Above all he must shun ethnicity, favouritism and high-handedness in handling the affairs of the nation,” he said.
 High Chief Albert Owuru Presidential candidate Hope Democratic Party said “We are very hopeful that General Buhari’s persistent message at election on anti-corruption crusade will embolden us to continue to drive home our message of wellfarism and wealth re-distribution in future elections as Nigerians who now appear to have regained their constitutional powers and rights to elect leaders of their choice, are entitled to better and better deals at every turn of election to make a choice for their welfare and security at every election to secure the future of this country.”
An Abuja based activist, Hassan Sani Indabawa during a telephone chat with our correspondent yesterday said that Nigerians are happy with Buhari’s emergence as President. He added that the main trust of his presidential campaign was on corruption and insecurity.
“if the international community should take him serious, he should start with fighting corruption from within the APC since a lot of corrupt characters are now in the party.
“A lot of task needs to be done in the judiciary because if the judiciary functions well most of Nigeria’s problem will be solved and this will move his anti-corruption to a greater level. The final prosecution of corrupt persons will be in the judiciary; hence the prosecution of corrupt cases should be treated speedily, since a lot of rich people who have the resources would be prosecuted.”