Buhari’s moment of truth

In my lifetime, I witnessed two political moments of grace. In 1979 when Shehu Shagari replaced Olusegun Obasanjo ‘s khaki with his flowing gown and towering headgear we rejoiced; two decades later in 1999 Obasanjo shirked his prison uniforms and took the mantle of this country’s leadership again. At both instances Nigeria emerged grief-stricken at […]

In my lifetime, I witnessed two political moments of grace. In 1979 when Shehu Shagari replaced Olusegun Obasanjo ‘s khaki with his flowing gown and towering headgear we rejoiced; two decades later in 1999 Obasanjo shirked his prison uniforms and took the mantle of this country’s leadership again. At both instances Nigeria emerged grief-stricken at the end. Eedris Abdulkareem even waxed the song, “Nigeria jaga-jaga” to define Obasanjos rule. Since then, things have been same, same but different. Nigeria’s story has been awash with wasted opportunities and abused responsibilities.
 And here is May 29th, the threshold of another moment of grace. Many thought this day would never come, but it has. Primarily, it should be Muhammadu Buhari’s and the All Progressives Congress’ day of glory, but I wonder if glory would fit their hand like gloves by the end of the journey. You only have to look in Buhari’s eyes to see what he exudes; sadness or joy. For twelve years he sought this day. Now it’s here.
That’s the beauty of time. Time is intangible, we cannot see, touch or hear it, but we are aware of its passing, measured by everything from the wrinkles on once youthful faces or the threads of grey in our hairs, to life changes like marriages, childbirth, graduations, divorces, and deaths. Did I say change of governments? It is another epoch, the type that even the devils uncle would gloat due to its significance and the number of people it affects tangentially.
I take stock of these experiences, through my friends or people in the spotlight. Today, for example, General Muhammadu Buhari becomes Mr Muhammadu Buhari. He loses his military toga, because he wills it so. Today, Buhari begins the tortuous, even treacherous journey, to revamp Nigeria, once again but in the midst of a people who are steeped in the settlement culture that the PDP has sown over 16 years. Majority of the things we hear are happening because the congregating politicians are wolves in sheepskin – APC outside PDP inside. That is why governors are nominating ministers, to extend their hold on the federal firmament.
The last time I checked, Buhari carried out his functions with military fiat. He whipped everybody into line. He pulled back the Andrews amongst us by telling them that they had no other country but this one and would have to stay here to salvage it. But today, without jackboots, his gun and the beret, Buhari is telling those who want to run from Nigeria that they are free to escape. But run to where? The global dynamics have changed even among fugitives. It is why James Ibori could run but couldn’t hide. It is why Buruji Kashamu “would rather die than go to the USA.”
From today Buhari must suspend all niceties for the good of the country. If Buhari had allowed the democracy of thirty years ago to prosper, now it would have been balancing marriage, fatherhood and counting its blessings. And losses. My nephew, whose terrible twos I remember, in 1983, has his bachelor’s party tomorrow. And Malia Obama, who moved into the White House as a 10-year-old, just got a proposal from a Kenyan man willing to offer the Obamas 50 cows, 70 sheep and 30 goats for her hand in marriage, suggesting how time flies. But here is Nigeria facing a rebirth with a man who was angry three decades ago and unimpressed today that he even shed tears for Nigeria. It has been all motion, no movement. That is why May 29 is crucial.
What do I expect? First, I hope to see changing attitudes about social and critical infrastructure. Among other accomplishments, since 1983 is that Nigeria, for example, has developed and made travelling faster and communities more accessible. This is a good thing. As at 1983, many of our roads used to belong to the horse and buggy era – disasters waiting to happen or death-traps. We rode bicycles to weddings, today they drive in motorcades dressed in Aso Ebi. 30 years ago, children went to school because there was bread. Today, principals steal the food and send children away. Policemen, once the symbol of authority are now the scoundrels. Our soldiers once gallant now run from the burst of a balloon; Prisons are run by gangsters; Hospitals overtaken by quacks; restaurants very unhygienic; taxi drivers dangerously unlicensed, young females massively in prostitution, the males investing in criminality and the ivory towers left in the hands of illiterates.
In the past our economy had a human face because when money wasn’t the problem but how to spend it, civil servants received a bonus. It was called Udoji. Today, there is paucity of funds yet someone made away with USD20bn, but instead of refunding the money, is begging to be forgiven. We have become a parapo country. Everywhere you look nepotism stinks.
I want to tell Mr Buhari that we live in a state of anomie, a life of misery and a nation of pain. The question is, can he turn his stormy public approval into national rejuvenation? Buhari has worn these shoes before, so he doesn’t have to bother about being born without. He knows where to look and where to start; he knows who to call, who to ignore, dismiss, befriend and court. And he knows how dangerous it is to toy with the collective destiny of Nigerians. What defines Buhari is that he is he is the enemy of all vices. He is straight-forward. And this is the time to prove his mettle. His hour of glory. His moment of truth.
So anyone that is unsure today should look in Mr Buhari’s eyes to know what to expect from today. Sadness or joy.