Re: Buhari’s anti-graft war only for opponents

I keenly read the last edition of Daily Trust on Saturday, with the cover interview of Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. And not for what some people would think is the obvious reason: The Buhari-bashing galore. I actually found that to be a bit of a distraction, […]

I keenly read the last edition of Daily Trust on Saturday, with the cover interview of Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, PhD. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. And not for what some people would think is the obvious reason: The Buhari-bashing galore. I actually found that to be a bit of a distraction, and a cliché. Many objective people know what’s wrong with the current government, so the distinguished gentleman should have focused on telling us what he intends to do for us if we vote for him, not what Buhari has failed to deliver.

The interviewers asked all the questions I would have asked, even if Baba-Ahmed dodged some, and artfully too. Which I found unusual, as he’s not the average, run-of-the-mill politician you find in these parts. But I guess the means justifies the end, as they say.

Some interesting things I took away from the chat is that Baba-Ahmed will not do things the way they have been done. He pretty much said he would overhaul the security structure and how it is currently being run, as well as revamping the education sector. These are two things that are near and dear to my heart, including almighty education. With these three things, all other sectors will follow suit, and in swift speed, we will become the great nation we should have been ages ago.

I agree with some things Baba-Ahmed said about President Buhari, but strongly disagree with some. We know some of those aren’t directly his fault. I know, you’ll say but he’s the leader. Well, we can’t blame him for absolutely everything and/or everything that’s wrong with Nigeria. Apart from these points, I’m quite excited to see someone as young, educated, and driven as Baba-Ahmed train his sights on the presidency. Even on a crowded landscape with potential challenges from Kwankwaso, Atiku, Makarfi and more, I am rooting for Baba-Ahmed, with hope that he actually gets the ticket. For the first time in a long while, the arena actually looks promising.

The thing is, in Nigeria right now, we don’t need people who do average, everyday things the way they have been done for decades. We need out-of-the-box thinking, and leadership. Forget age-friendly legislation, or anti-corruption crusades, and all that. They will all be served well if we have someone who realises that a true leader is one who gathers the best team around himself for the good of the whole. And in Nigeria today, we are in dire need of just such a leader. If it’s Datti Baba-Ahmed, then I’m pitching my tent by his side, and for the long haul.

Aminu wrote in from Gwale, Kano.