Issues that will shape Buhari Presidency in 2017

Recession. Will it end this year? The current economic recession a hard nut to crack for the administration of President Buhari in the new year. His handlers have smartly made Nigerians understand that the administration did not create the economic woes, blaming the situation on the crash in the price of crude oil at the […]

Recession. Will it end this year?

The current economic recession a hard nut to crack for the administration of President Buhari in the new year. His handlers have smartly made Nigerians understand that the administration did not create the economic woes, blaming the situation on the crash in the price of crude oil at the global market, the failure of past governments to save for the raining day as well as the persistent bombings of oil and gas installations by the militants in the Niger Delta region.

Some officials in the Presidency have equally told those tong-lashing the administration of Buhari to direct their anger at “the appropriate quarters”.

But a lot of people, who fear that the nation might slide into recession unless urgent and drastic measures are taken,, have challenged President Buhari’s government to concentrate on reviving the economy and ending the recession rather than continue to reprimand his predecessors.

Although Buhari had acknowledged the excruciating pains the citizens are passing through, to the vast majority of the populace, the president’s I-feel-your-pain expression is somewhat becoming repetitious. They want him to swing into action and ensure that the economic recession does not last beyond 2017 as assured.

Anti-corruption war: Are there sacred cows?

The war against corruption is a major parameter for which some people are gauging the performance of Buhari’s administration. Before he was elected, Buhari was at Chatham House in London in February 2015 where he pledged to fight corruption which, he alleged, had ballooned under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“In the face of dwindling revenues, a good place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’s economy is to swiftly tackle two that have ballooned under the present administration: waste and corruption. And in doing this, I will, if elected, lead by a force of personal example,” he had assured at that time.

Since Buhari assumed office, corrupt past government officials, especially political office holders, have been made to bear the brunt of their alleged shady deals. Even those who merely served as presidential aides in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan have been held to account for abusing their offices.

President Buhari’s anti-graft battle recently radiated to the judicial arm of government, with judges tasting the bitter pill over alleged involvement in such sharp practices as kickback and other forms of corruption.

Nonetheless, at the moment, tongues are wagging as to whether President Buhari is ready to give an impetus to his vow that the anti-corruption war will not spare any of his officials if found to have been corrupt.

The allegations of corruption and abuse of office against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are seen as a golden opportunity for Buhari to convince the whole world that there is no sacred cow in the against corruption.

The Senate had recently put the confirmation of Magu’s nomination on hold, citing a damning report from the Department of State Security (DSS). A committee of the Senate had also reportedly indicted the SGF of abuse of office and contract inflation as well as misappropriation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) funds.

President Buhari had instructed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, to investigate the involvement of any top government officials accused of any wrong-doing.

The president had also assured the nation that if any of of officials were liable, they would not escape prosecution.

Some individuals and groups are already calling for Magu and Lawal’s heads, demanding their resignations pending the outcome of the investigations into the allegations against them.

Well, whatever President Buhari decides to do with the outcome of these investigations will, in the end, determine whether his anti-corruption war truly knows no bounds.

2017 budget: Is recovery and growth underway?

The 2017 budget of “growth and recovery” which the president laid before the National Assembly on December 14 is considered ambitious. A large percentage of the projected revenue is expected from the non-oil sectors of the economy. The feasibility of such projection being debated against the backdrop of an observation that Buhari’s administration’s efforts towards the diversification of the economy are yet to practically yield expected results.

Nigerians are expecting President Buhari government to do everything possible to ensure that the 2017 budget is not padded.

Buhari had assured that the “series of rogue projects and figures that were injected” into the 2016 fiscal document would not happen to the 2017 budget.

Sometime ago, he told the world that he was hearing the word “padding” for the first time. This might not be a tenable excuse again if this year’s budget suffers a similar fate.

While many Nigerians are anxious to see the 2017 budget passed early enough by the National Assembly, others are raising such posers as: will the document be implemented to the letter? Will it guarantee recovery and growth?

Cabinet reshuffle: To be or not to be?

There seems to be a consensus of opinion among political analysts that the cabinet of President Buhari is due for “re-jigging”. Their argument is that the performance of the majority of the ministers is short of expectations.

During the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held insde the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on November 9 last year, President Buhari stylishly expressed dissatisfaction with his cabinet’s performance. There and then, he charged them to work harder in order earn the respect of the citizenry.

In case President Buhari decides to reshuffle the cabinet, who and how will be affected? Who and who will replace them? Nigerians would like to know if the president would consult the state governors before appointing new ministers.

Meanwhile, the people of Kogi State are still asking President Buhari to pick another ministerial nominee from their state following the death on March 6, 2016, of Barrister James Ocholi, Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

President Buhari will also have to nominate a new ministerial nomination from Gombe State following the recent selection of the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Insecurity: Any end in sight?

Just penultimate Saturday, President Buhari, expressed joy that he had received the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest. He sent a goodwill message to the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on what he called the successful capture of Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa Forest.

“I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the camp fell at about 1:35pm on Thursday, December 22, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide,” the president had disclosed.

What Nigerians will find most gladdening is a bombing-free 2017, especially in the three ins urgency-ridden states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Mr President, will Nigerians see the dare-devil Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist sect, captured this year? And will the remaining Chibok schoolgirls be rescued from captivity this year?

And, are the attacks on oil and gas installations by the Niger Delta militants coming to an end this year? Some parts of the country are still at the mercy of bandits, kidnappers and herdsmen. Sure, Nigerians are earnestly hoping for a relief form the activities of these criminal elements in 2017.

The race for 2019:

For obvious reasons, Buhari and his team have kept their lips sealed regarding the 2019 politics, keeping the populace guessing on the president’s next political ambition.

Aspirants for the highest political office in the land are likely to declare their aspirations this year. And before 2017 runs out, it will become clearer whether President Buhari will seek a re-election or not.