On May, 29 Nigeria celebrated Democracy Day. Daily Trust asked some Nigerians how they think the present government has performed so far. Khalid Imam, 42, Teacher, Kano My honest opinion is that the government is clearly doing well. They are working on security, which is one of their priorities. At the same time they said […]
On May, 29 Nigeria celebrated Democracy Day. Daily Trust asked some Nigerians how they think the present government has performed so far.
Khalid Imam, 42, Teacher, Kano
My honest opinion is that the government is clearly doing well. They are working on security, which is one of their priorities. At the same time they said they will fight corruption and we can see them doing that, even though to some extent it is one-sided because the opposition are the once paying the price, even though they were in government and committed more of the acts. However, prices of commodities have gone high and the average worker is bearing the brunt. But I learnt government are reviewing salaries, so until they do that.
In terms of education, I expect the minister to do more, especially in addressing issues of exam malpractice, which is reducing the educational system to a mere banana republic. This is most troubling at the secondary school level. That is why right now, an average university graduate cannot perform as well as a primary school leaver of twenty years ago. They are unable to write a simple sentence in English, even those who have studied English Language. I urge the government to look into this area, because in my opinion as a teacher, they have done virtually nothing to address that. In terms of teacher employment, they need to subject teachers to rigorous aptitude tests to be followed by an induction course.
However, this government is a bit focused compared to the PDP. This government clearly spelt out key areas they want to work on and they are doing that. For corruption I will give them fifty per cent. I will like to see corrupt people in the APC also being subjected to what the opposition is going through.
Ibrahim Bababa, 35, Broadcast Journalist, Bauchi
Assessing the APC administration in the last two years may not be as easy as one would expect. There are many ways that one can look at its achievementsý and failures. For example, for a person like me who lives in the North-East, I can score the Buhari-led APC administration ninety-five percent because of the peace and security I am enjoying and also in the area of the fight against corruption. Howeverý, when I come down to the state level, I will score the APC low. I am from Bauchi State and although I know the present administration had inherited many problems, it has failed to convince people that it means business and wants to address their problems. For this reason, people are very disappointed.
On the other hand, if we are to be fair to the APC, it has taken some giant steps toý show that what Nigeria lacks is the right leadership and the political will to turn things around. Our prayer is for the president to recover his health and take a firm stance on issues that have been dragging us back over the years.
Najib Sani, 30, Journalist, Bauchi
I am always an optimist. I am very confident that despite the challenges, the APC administration led by President Buhari has done well in the area of security and fight against corruption. The social intervention programmes introduced by the administration is also a positive move to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians because of the economic downturn.
We had two years of clearing the mess created by the doings and undoings of many people who failed in their responsibilities in the past. Looking at the wanton corruption and profligacy that ýhas taken place in the last few years, we can say that the APC administration has done well in addressing some critical issues.
Solomon Satiakaar, 28, businessman, Abuja
What the APC government promised us they would do before they came into power, they are yet to fulfil. But perhaps they are still working on achieving those goals so one cannot complain too much. Complaining cannot solve the issues on ground. We must keep on going. It is the work of the media to ensure the executive and legislature arms of government know how we feel. I think the arms of government should come together and make sure things work, because to be honest, things are not the way they used to be. They told us they would work on the shortcomings of the previous government, we are still waiting.
Mukhtar Jarmajo, 30, Public Commentator, Bauchi
As a young man who witnessed the last eighteen years of democracy, I will score the Buhari-led APC administration high. If one looks at the financial situation which the country found itself in when the APCý took over, I will say that if it was Buhari and the APC who had been in power in the last sixteen years, Nigeria would have been better off.
Nigeria had enough to cater for its citizens when former presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan were in power, but despite all the monies accrued to the two administrations and the enormous opportunities, they all failed to utilise them to the fullest, which was the genesis of what we have found ourselves in at present. Buhari administration honestly pursued our stolen money and exposed what some wicked people have done in the past. This has exposed the recklessness of Jonathan’s administration which condoned corruption.
Abdulmalik Musa, 36, Civil Servant, Abuja
For the past two years things have been very difficult. There’s so much hunger. However, I will still give this government some pass mark in the area of corruption and fight against Boko Haram. But they said they have recovered stolen monies from our past leaders in key positions during the time of Goodluck Jonathan. They should have brought this money out and pumped it back into the economy so that it will boom. By keeping the money, they are not helping us. If they listen to the cry of the people they would do better. Just the other day, I watched the acting president, Yemi Osibanjo in Garki market asking the prices of food stuff like garri and rice. Things are getting more costly in the market and they say they want to increase minimum wage. By the time they increase minimum wage, it will cause inflation and those who don’t have a job would suffer. For example, the private sector is already suffering, particularly construction companies. Private sector assists the economy a lot. But we still have hope.
Sunday John, 24, Hotelier, Abuja
Their performance is poor. There is too much hunger and jobs are lacking. But they are trying in the aspect of security. They have to improve in terms of creating job opportunities. Again, we want to see people they accuse of corruption go to jail instead of driving in luxury cars. They should do more.
