In a draft that did not meet the press because of its extreme lateness last week, I had expressed dismay at the wobbling and fumbling of the new government at the centre. How did a president make and reverse himself so many times on issues of national, and sometimes even global, importance within two months […]
Why Mr President must change tactics, now!
In a draft that did not meet the press because of its extreme lateness last week, I had expressed dismay at the wobbling and fumbling of the new government at the centre. How did a president make and reverse himself so many times on issues of national, and sometimes even global, importance within two months in office? He promised to declare his assets once he wins, and suddenly developed cold feet once he was sworn in, convinced by bureaucrats that it is the responsibility of the Code of Conduct Bureau. Yet, the whole mantra on accountability is hinged on the president’s personal track record on integrity. He can make the photocopies of those assets available to the press now or forever mouth accountability. Charity must start from home.
He bungled the appointment in INEC and reversed the status quo. The order for the military to dismantle its checkpoints while the war on Boko Haram was still in full swing is still tactically suspect coming at a time the IG ordered police checkpoints dismantled. Whenever they share the roads with us, government officials go with full-armed support. They even run us out of the roads. The masses have to contend with dare devil armed robbers, ritual killers and kidnappers. Given a choice between parting with a few naira toll fees and driving headlong into danger, most people prefer the checkpoints.
These policy somersaults bring us to the appointment of presidential spokesmen. To have trench man, Garba Shehu and the Guild’s president, Femi Adesina in coordinate saddle of public relations has its downside. Shehu is master of the trenches and Adesina has the ears of his colleagues. Shehu’s tactics perfectly fitted the bad days of campaigns but in post-election public relations, it is dangerous to use the same blueprint used in the war to deliver the message of peace. Both men would have fitted expertly into the presidential crisis management committee, but only time would reveal both men’s efficiency and effectiveness. If they work symbiotically, given their backgrounds, they’ll be candidates for PR thesis. The question is – does Buhari have the time for experimentation? The big question everyone is asking is – who truly speaks for Muhammadu Buhari?
Gone are the days when your spokesperson takes your verbal message and turns it into a press statement for the rewrite desk. In today’s world, the more the spokesman knows about decision-making, the more effective they are at public relations. This is because they would have had ample time to weigh policy pros and cons with their principal before confronting a sceptical press and public. Check out the furore over an acting director-general for NIMASA and ask the question – who speaks for Buhari?
Buhari’s worst diplomatic spat thus far occurred during his visit to the United States of America. Confronted with practical allegations of nepotism in his appointments, Buhari shocked his audience with the logic that he would rather satisfy his supporters than those who evidently did not vote for him. Mr. President, ours is a federation not Buhari Farms in Daura. In the later, it may be expedient for all farm hands to be from the same household, but in governance, once elected, the president swears to be fair to all. Modern logic considers it wisdom when a leader woos his opponents rather than alienate them. In a fractured nation like ours, it is even more imperative.
No single ethnic or religious group can successfully drive national development. We all need each other. Our federal character principle only flaws when component part fails to come to the game with their First 11. Five decades after flag independence, each part of this country can produce a veritable First 11 to fit any vacancy. Appointments must take into cognizance true federal character if we must keep the glue that cements this nation intact.
I have read all the lame interpretations and arguments from Buharists of all shades and hue, but they are all hollow. President Buhari must open wide his eyes and put his ears closer to the grounds, integrity and experience is not the hallmark of any region or section of the country. There is enough to make things go round Mr President, so do the needful.
It is evident that Mr President is not an orator, but experience shows that he was a man of action. He would need to surround himself with people who can speak to his face without wavering to make impact in the murky waters of governance. He needs a dose of diplomatese when speaking on complex issues. Bluntness is good, but only when it panders to national interest. Mr President can work more and talk less because the truth is; Naija needs less talk and concrete action. Speak less, sir, and let your actions make the talk of the town, thus far, a few of your actions chew at the fabrics of national interest – so please change the tactics.
