Support President Buhari to get it right

It is believed that a leader, especially the president of a country is the centre of attraction and gravity for citizens and neighbouring countries. Nigeria is not an exception. And it is more so when its destiny is tied to neighbours. As the giant of Africa and the most populous black race, Nigeria is yet […]

It is believed that a leader, especially the president of a country is the centre of attraction and gravity for citizens and neighbouring countries. Nigeria is not an exception. And it is more so when its destiny is tied to neighbours. As the giant of Africa and the most populous black race, Nigeria is yet to make the desired impact in the global arena. Why? There are so many paradoxes and unnecessary drags on the way forward amongst its peoples. The key to my mind is the lack of recognition of the fact that it is people who create wealth. It is not selling crude oil and education with no substance. The amalgam of degrees and all sorts of certificates merely create parasites and noisemakers. One can add the lack of mutual self respect and failure to give credit where it is due. Worst is the colonial and slave mentality the so-called ruling elite seem to have entrenched in their thought processes. The lack of patriotism compounds the confused situation. 
Now that President Muhammadu Buhari has democratically taken over the leadership of this country, obviously to salvage an already battered situation, it is unfortunate that the political elite, especially those who were kicked out of power, have taken up verbal arms against him. And they have forgotten that change was inevitable because Nigerians were truly tired of bad leadership.
Those who are against President Buhari call him several unnecessary names. Among other things, they say he is an “old school” politician who doesn’t have anything to offer the present generation of Nigerians. But that is not true. As far as I am concerned, he is a down-to-earth leader. However, one cannot deny the fact that as a politician, Buhari is no longer the army general we used to know. Effective from 2002 when he ventured into politics, PMB, as he is now generally fondly called, has undergone a transformation.
As a president trudging on the murky waters of politics, Buhari needs to identify and beware of his shortcomings. This is particularly so because as a human being, he is not infallible. And since all eyes are on the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has brought the needed change, he must get it right against all odds. The fight against corruption must be total. Let there also be respect for the rule of law, which is a necessary ingredient for a stable and progressive society.
At this juncture, it is important to call on the legislature, the judiciary and all well-meaning Nigerians, including politicians, to support Mr President as he struggles to move the country forward. There is the need for everyone to join the change slogan.  Also, let the press, the business class, spiritual and religious leaders and traditionalists set aside parochial interests for the good of the country.
It is worrisome that a lot of noise was generated on the list of ministerial nominees. Understandably, the opposition took undue advantage of the so-called delay in submitting the list. Finally, most of the ministerial nominees have been screened and PMB’s critics have been proved wrong.
Those who are opposed to the president also criticise him for stating the obvious – permanent secretaries and technocrats in the civil service work harder than ministers. When did it become an offence to speak the truth? In any case, I believe the statement was a wakeup call for the would-be ministers to take their jobs seriously. 
It is time for our dear country to take its rightful position in the comity of nations; and it is quite possible with PMB on the saddle, and the support of Nigerians.
 Abubakar A. Fari, [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>