Personalizing the Presidency

As President Mohammed Buhari (PMB), comes under increasing attacks by both the opposition and those who voted for him, it’s timely that we reflect on how we got ourselves into this situation. Although he was the only candidate who could defeat the incumbent President in the last elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) didn’t win […]

As President Mohammed Buhari (PMB), comes under increasing attacks by both the opposition and those who voted for him, it’s timely that we reflect on how we got ourselves into this situation. Although he was the only candidate who could defeat the incumbent President in the last elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) didn’t win because of Buhari alone.
In light of their abysmal incompetent performance Nigerians decided that they had enough of the Goodluck Jonathan and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and voted against them rather than for Buhari they voted for change. Indeed democracy isn’t, and cannot be about electing good governments because no one can be certain whether or not an incoming government will be better than the one it replaced.
Democracy is essentially about removing bad governments and any government which is as bad, or worse, than its predecessor must be removed at the next elections. PMB has four years to write his name in gold and he must be given time to settle down. The most important thing is for him to leave a good legacy and he needs to act wisely to succeed. Everyone agrees that his basic decency, sincerity, forthrightness and integrity are beyond doubt and that as an individual he isn’t obsessed with accumulating wealth.
However now that the elections are over his personal traits are no longer the issue. The matter at hand is the nature of his ideology and his modus operandi. Although these are extraordinary times which require extraordinary measures, the inordinate delay in appointing a full Cabinet was ill advised.
In the few positions to which appointments have been made the opposition alleges that merit has been thrown out of the window in favour of loyalty. PMB set a precedent by admitting bias in these appointments and the whole thing has backfired politically. Although he has done nothing wrong in selecting his trusted “northern” hands, the majority of Nigerians feel our President needs to publicly present a national outlook.
No one has a monopoly on wisdom and he should be told that surrounding himself only with those who agree with him blinds him to the fact that most of the world doesn’t. The opposition PDP have mischievously expressed fears that the method in which power is currently being wielded borders on megalomania.  Incessant attacks on the person of PMB should be expected because government at all levels has become increasingly personalized. The media are in a large part to blame for this.
They will report that for example that a certain Governor or Minister is doing well rather than saying that the State Government or Ministry is doing well. This is a relatively new development. As recently as when arch-dictator Sanni Abacha was issuing directives from the Villa, the media always reported that “the Federal Military Government has decided…” Back in the day the only time the Head of State was mentioned was when he himself actually said something.
These days every action of government is ascribed to the president.  It didn’t start in 2015.  Ever since 1999 it’s been Mr President this and Mr President that!  Now it is Buhari to reduce the number of foreign missions, Buhari to release money for athletes, Buhari to prune number of Ministries, etc. These days Ministers never speak in their own right but always represent the President.
Even the Vice-President (VP) appears to have no confidence to speak on his own behalf.  Media reports state that the VP represented the President as if he has no locus-standi on his own. 
One of the most common excuses for the various irregularities committed since 1999 has been that the deed was “authorized by the President” as if the office holder is the sole administrator of the nation. PMB’s probe of his predecessor is expected to bring to light several poor decisions and policy initiatives taken irregularly without the benefit of rigorous debate by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). It’s been severally pointed out the FEC isn’t an ornamental luxury. Members are supposed to be the caucus of any administration.
They playing a key advisory and consultative role in aiding good governance. The All Progressives Congress (APC) knew they were supposed to swiftly appoint Ministers and hit the ground running. During electioneering they initially promised one week.
One of their main campaign premises was that the economy was in a shambles, yet after over 100 days in office no finance minister has been appointed. Although our PMB has promised to name Ministers before the end of September there is apprehension that Presidents coming after him will use the “after all Buhari did it” justification for making unilateral far reaching policy announcements, surrounding themselves only with people who think like them, and not being in a hurry to appoint a FEC. PMB’s supporters accept that the value of teamwork should not be underestimated, but believe his actions reflect where we should be right now. In their opinion in the absence of performing strong organs of government the buck begins and stops at the table of the President.
In truth most Nigerians have become obsessed with the presidency and have little faith that organs of government can functioning effectively. However in the long run no matter how much he relies on his personal traits to pursue policy initiatives, PMB’s legacy will be ultimately be determined by his level of success in building strong effective institutions.