There is the old adage that says “to whom much is given, much is expected”. On May 29th 2016, the Buhari administration marked its One year anniversary. The usual speech was given, like all presidents since our return to democracy on my 29th 1999. As usual most Nigerians tuned in to watch their President give a review of the year gone so far, his government stance on present issues and an idea of the future and the way forward. Most looked forward to him belting out the names of those who have returned stolen government money and how much was returned. As for myself, i spent the day like any other sunday. I went to church, had breakfast and spent the afternoon with family and friends.
Most will frown at what i’m about to say, but then the truth is rarely sweet, hence why it is usually called the bitter truth. Now go back to the first sentence in my opening paragraph. When Buhari got the nomination under the coalition party of the APC, alot of Nigerians who were fans of his first regime saw that big light of hope. In fact, winning the ticket had guaranteed the end of the money grabbing, pro stomach infracture and tribalistic government being headed by PDP’s own Goodluck Jonathan. After winning the election and coming to power, most nigerians if not all expected some over night miracle. And yes, it seemed so. We saw him as some sort of older ‘Harry Porter’, who would wave his magic wand and there would be 24 hours light. Another wave and all the roads will be good and smooth. A wink of the eye and povery would vanish without a trace. Oh, what a joke and such a dream. With time most nigerians started seeing some realities. And yes, the grumbles started. Some who lack the cranial capacity to think for themselves, turned a complete 180 degrees on their ‘Messiah’, while some with open eyes and ears like myself got to understand or already understood that things do not work like that in this present democracy that we find ourselves in. Like every President before him and most likely after, much if not too much was expected from him.
Now lets ask, we expect so much from Buhari but really should we? Buhari came into power and unlike his predecessor, he met an almost if not empty treasury. He came in at a time when the price of crude oil, nigeria’s number 1 export and revenue generator, have dropped drastically in the global market. He came in when the country was at war with the insurgent group called Boko Haram. Let’s ask ourselves, what did he really have to work with? Remember when former President Obasanjo took over in 1999, he met an empty treasury and a debt ridden country. Did we go about, crucifying him? Even those who criticised him were not so vocal because all were just relieved to have left the clutches of the military tyrants that had ruled the country with Iron whips and scorpions. The process at which Obasanjo went about restoring the country, isn’t so different from what Buhari is doing now. In truth, most of us are still hang over on the Buhari/Idiagbon regime that came to power in the 80s. Most of us still daydream about its effectiveness in stamping out corruption and having policies implemented. Honestly, i say this and will continue to say that if that regime had spent 5 – 10 years in power, Nigeria would have been better and greater than what it is today. Why do we still fantasize of a return of such effficiency with Buhari as a democratically elected president? Have we forgotten how slow and beaureaucratic our democracy is, no thanks to the National Assembly. A National Assembly filled with over swollen bellied, egotistical, egoiste, corrupt and incompetent senators and representatives who’s end game is only to their direct benefit and not that of those they represent.
Yes i am a massive fan of Buhari the general and Buhari the President. That still doesn’t put a wool over my eyes to not see the mistakes his regime has made. Yes they are human but that does not constitute nor is it an excuse to make such errors. One massive error they have made so far is their policy implementation. Yes, the policies are good and are the way forward. When you make such policies and fail to lay the ground work for it to be effective and workable for the people, you are like the horse that moves 1 step forward and 4 steps backward. Take for instance, the removal of fuel subsidy. I applauded it, it was a long time coming. It was inevitable, especially with the rate at which it some Nigerians started de-frauding the government and its people of billions of Naira. Buhari’s government failed to do certain things to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal on the masses. One of such ways to do this, would have been to reduce the demand or need of fuel by the populace. How? By increasing power generation and working with DISCOs to improve power distribution. Another way would have been to work private companies to improve transportation and road networks Nationwide. And most important of all, privatising and licensing of oil refineries in the different geo-political regions. These would have ideally reduced the price and kept it affordable.
Some Nigerians and i do not feel like Buhari started his government on the right foot. Like some who have studied him, i expected he would have first made strong statement upon coming to power as President. I expected after taking the oath of office, he would have immediately named those who he wanted in his cabinet and forwarded thier names for screening by the senate. If i were in his shoes, i would have given targets and milestones to every minister to achieve by the 29th of May. I hoped that when it came to the economy he would have had the CBN and finacnce ministers lay down policies to encourage and support the creation and sustainence of small businesses, instead of continuously loaning huge sums of money to large conglomerates and indirectly encouraging monopolies in sectors.
Hopes and expectations are all we seem to have. And the government seem to be ignoring one vital tool to its success, the people. Speak to the people, educate and convince them about the intentions of the policies and how important they are. Give them targets to expect from his governement.Ask them to demand more from his government and their representatives. If Buhari were to align his executive arm with the people, nothing can stop him. Not even the megalomaniac ridden senate will be able to stop him. I seem to not be a fan of the senate so far. It is something i will talk about in another article. The senate to me have been a hinderance and a drawback to the Buhari administration so far. For those who don’t agree i have two words, National Budget. No thanks to them, the budget took so long to pass. While the economy got worse and businesses were grinding to a halt, they took their sweet time and were being paid in the process. In conclusion, i would say Buhari can do more. He seems eager to do so. I pray he takes a leap from Obama who even dared to go against his own party for the sake of his country. The President needs to focus on three things if he is to really make a mark in his four years as a civilian president. If he focuses and solves the problem of power, infrastructure and corruption, not only will nigeria have taken many steps forward but he will have most certainly written his name and left his prints in the eternal sands of time.
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