Foreign policy challenges facing Buhari

From time immemorial, when man learnt how to interact with each other and take advantage of the weakness or strength of one another, external/foreign relation was born. Conceptually foreign relations are a corollary of the policy thrust you have, to gain strategic advantage of nearly every situation. This is an attempt to x-ray PMB’s US […]

From time immemorial, when man learnt how to interact with each other and take advantage of the weakness or strength of one another, external/foreign relation was born.
Conceptually foreign relations are a corollary of the policy thrust you have, to gain strategic advantage of nearly every situation. This is an attempt to x-ray PMB’s US visit and its effect on our foreign policy. We will touch some aspects of dynamic foreign policy, Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, economic diplomacy and citizen diplomacy as obtained in past Nigerian Governments.
While the Balewa, Gowon and Shagari’s foreign policy were seen as conservative, the Murtala/Obasanjo, Obasanjo/Yar’adua were seen to be dynamic.
A nation’s national interests, and not the effusions of dynamism or its lack, is the barometer for measuring foreign policy.
Nigeria’s engagement in the international system will be looked at through the binoculars of Africa. As Hon. Aja Wachuku said on the imperative of Afrocentric policy, “Charity begins at home and therefore any Nigerian foreign policy that does not take into consideration the peculiar position of Africa is unrealistic”. However, it was the Adedeji Report that coined the concept. “Africa as a center-piece”.
During the Ibrahim Babangida Administration, economic diplomacy policy was conceptualized as “the promotion of export trade, investment and increased financial assistance from friendly countries”.
In his June 1988 Speech, then Minister of foreign affairs, Ike Nwachukwu provided the policy direction of that government when he stated that “it is the responsibility of our foreign policy apparatus to advance the course of our national economic recovery”.
Citizen diplomacy is the foreign policy thrust that has been embarked upon since the advent of democratic governance in 1999. It was spearheaded by President Olusegun Obasanjo and has been in place since then through the administrations of Musa Yar’adua and Jonathan Goodluck. Basically, citizen diplomacy contends that the citizens, that is, Nigerians are the centerpiece of Nigerians foreign policy. Commenting on what the concept is all about, Ozoemenam Mbachu, posits that, “the basic thrust revolve around concern for the basic needs, human rights and socio-economic welfare of Nigeria citizens in conducting bilateral and multilateral engagements with other countries”.
No foreign policy agenda can succeed on the basis of reliance on a single factor, such as the economy. Foreign policy is born out of a multiplicity of factors, such as; culture, politics, history, national interest, geography, military power, etc.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s talks with President Obama centered on security, war against terrorism as well as trade and economic relations. And measures to strengthen and intensify bilateral and international cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region. PMB also held talks with the United States Joint Chief of Staff, General Martin Dempsey and the Deputy Secretary of defense, Robert Work on military and defense cooperation. This must have contributed to the lifting of arms embargo on Nigeria few weeks after diplomatic infighting.
A statement from the White House on June 25 had said the visit would underscore the United States “long standing friendship with Nigeria, our commitment to strengthening and expanding our partnership with Nigeria’s new government, and our support for the Nigerian people following their historic democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power”.
What Nigerians want is an improved relationship to advance Nigerians’ interest. Obiozor’s emphasis is on the use of public relations and extra-diplomatic approaches to advance Nigerians interests. Pat Utomi expects PMB’s visit to lead to the forging of “Partnerships in pursuit of the Great Escape from misery for the biggest concentration of people of Black descent. Utomi also wants the US to help in tracking and repatriating money stolen from the Nigerian people. Are these truly the expectations of the elite?
On Security, the US has agreed to supply us arms. On war against terrorism, the US has intensified efforts in assisting Nigeria with intelligence and other support to fight the insurgency and have linked the illicit sale of oil to Boko Haram. On trade and economic relations the US will assist us in tracking stolen funds and money laundering. There is no doubt that our trade relation with the US has not been robust for a while with their stoppage in buying our crude oil for some time now. India has surpassed every nation as the largest buyer of our crude oil. This visit will renew our hitherto cold relationship with the US.
Nigeria is the center stage of Africa having all the superlatives on both sides of the divide; the largest economy in Africa, the most populous nation in Africa, the giant of Africa, the biggest democracy in Africa, the biggest market, the biggest political party and ultimately having the biggest problems. How can we explain the possession of crude oil abundantly, yet we import petroleum products? How can we explain the down surge of electricity in our Country after more than 16 billion USD was spent on Independent Power Projects during the Obasanjo Government? How do we explain the subsidy imbroglio, the militancy in the Niger delta and ultimately the Boko Haram insurgency?
There is a glimmer of hope with the advent of the new APC government whose mantra is “Change”, positive change. Though there has been mudslinging by the former ruling party PDP on the new Government it is widely known that their claims are untrue. PMB ascertained to Nigerian citizens living in Canada and the U.S that they call him Baba Go-Slow and his government will be slow and steady. How he approaches his foreign policy will largely rub off on Nigeria and its citizens. His recent visit to Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin and his attendance of the G8 Summit on invitation in June are all veritable platforms for launching a sound foreign policy and making the right alliances. With a background in strategic studies, we trust that the president will make strategic alliances to move Nigeria forward for the future generations.
PMB has to put his own foot mark and exploit the advantages Nigeria has to lead Africa on the global stage, especially the demography. The new government must come up with new policies in channeling population growth towards nation building. The new government must understand that another competing African Country (South Africa) is far ahead in terms of organized and developed demography, statistically more educated and more organized in meeting its economic challenges.
Potential energy should be geared towards National Development if Nigeria wants to position itself globally. We must address the issue of Sectarian Crises, Religious Violence, Intolerance and the daily misconduct of an average Nigerian.
Buhari should consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors including the military. The National Security and Law enforcement agents must learn to conform to global practices. Amnesty International (AI) and other human right groups recent report on military/civilian relationship in the North East leaves nothing to be desired. PMB should prevent its re-occurrence if Nigeria wants to take its pride of place among civilized nations.
Ahmed Yerima is Member House of Reps of the 8th Legislative Assembly, Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency, Bauchi State