One year in office of any government or leadership is the time toassess the performance, efficiency, effectiveness and sincerity ofthat administration. It is the time the governed take a holistic look
at the policies of government, as it affects them either positively or
negatively. It is indeed a period of stock taking.
The leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will on the 29th of May
2016 mark her one year in office. Nigerians are already assessing and
evaluating the performance of the present government, depending on
which divide the evaluator belongs. Those who belong to the ruling
party are giving the leadership a pass mark or thumbs-up, while those
in the opposition are giving the Buhari leadership some knocks.
Opposition is truly the beauty of democracy. As a socio-political
crusader whose calling it is to ensure fairness, equity, equal
distribution of democracy dividends and indeed better leadership, I
have stepped out once again to join my fellow Nigerians to weigh the
Buhari leadership on the scale, for proper assessment.
It is therefore expected that through this assessment, the governed
will appreciate their President for his efforts to reposition the
country, and also for Mr. President to accept the bitter truth and
turn a new leaf. I am not here to throw stones at my President. As a
lion of truth, I am only here to open the minds of the reading public.
I will therefore take on the Buhari leadership in the following areas:
1. War Against Corruption.
2. Education.
3. Agriculture
4. Youth Restiveness
5. Unguarded Statements
6. Hatred for South-East
7. Security Agencies as attack dogs.
1. WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION: President Buhari on assumption of office
declared total war against corruption. This is a welcome development.
Anybody who criticizes the current war against corruption should be
seen as equally corrupt. So far, a lot of rots have been unmasked or
exposed: and Nigerians are shocked to their bone marrows, on how
elected and appointed political leaders have looted our common
patrimony. President Buhari should be encouraged to go the whole
length in dealing ruthlessly with these shameless people who have
looted our resources, and there should be no sentiments. Funds
recovered (now in trillions of naira) should be used to revamp our
ailing oil and Agric industry.
In as much as the War against corruption is on-course, and we are
applauding our President for his courage, it appears this war is one
sided and “ethinized”. What do I mean? 95% of those facing corruption
charges are members of the opposition, while members of the ruling
party who have been (or were) indicted for corruption are treated with
kid gloves. For example, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past
governor of Rivers State was indicted for corruption by the Nyesom
Wike Administration in Rivers State. Rather than effect his arrest and
trial, President Buhari (despite having a copy of the indictment
document) announced the same Amaechi as one of his ministers.
Again, of all the people facing charges of corruption at the law
courts, only those from the South Eastern part of this country appear
in hand cuffs (Chief Olisa Metuh). My take here is that the war
against corruption should be decisive, ruthless and very sincere. It
should not be one sided.
2. EDUCATION: The education sector has suffered untold neglect in the
past one year, such that its standard has further fallen to an abysmal
level. Today, 60% of our graduates do not know how to write ordinary
official letter. Our graduates can’t even defend their certificates.
Majority of them can’t function optimally in any corporate
organization. Big thanks to their poor quality education, giving that
95% of Public schools in Nigeria are in deplorable and dilapidated
condition. How then can our children learn in such environment and we
expect them to come out in flying colours? President Buhari should
rise to the occasion. He should have a better blue print for the
education sector.
3. AGRICULTURE: Agriculture is the main stay of any economy,
unfortunately for us Nigerians, our over dependence on oil for our
National survival has so blind-folded us that we have forgotten all
about agriculture.
The Buhari leadership has not helped matters at all. Instead of
encouraging farmers in the country through people-oriented policies
that would see to the mass production of foods and other agricultural
products, what we see is government alleged aloofness in the
Agric-sector. Today, the prices of food stuffs have gone up beyond the
reach of the common man in this country. A bag of (toll rope) Garri
that was sold for N9,800 in May 2015, is today sold at N20,000. A big
tuber of Yam that was sold for N400 in May 2015, is today sold at
N800. A bag of Iron beans that was sold for N12,000 in May 2015, is
today sold at N25,000. A bag of Rice that was sold for N11,500 in May
2015, is today sold at N20,000, etc. Yet, the salaries of civil
servants have remained static. Rather than seeking ways to boost crop
production in this country, what we notice is the alleged instigation
of Fulani herdsmen to attack farmlands in the North-Central region,
South-South region, South-West region and South-East region of this
country with their cattles. And these attacks have always resulted to
conflicts with farmers, who are now too afraid to return to their
farms. This is the major reason why we have scarcity of food in this
country. Honestly, grazing on Peoples farmlands by Fulani herdsmen has
greatly affected food supply in this country; hence the high cost of
food.
4. YOUTH RESTIVENESS: This is another area that has made life more
miserable for Nigerians in the last one year. It should be appreciated
that Militancy was practically dead in the Niger Delta region, due to
the ingenuity of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s
administration in initiating and implementing the Amnesty Programme
for militants in the region. This programme was continued by President
Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. But in the last one year,
militancy has returned; perhaps due to the “unwillingness” of the
present government to continue with the programme.
Also, it should be noted that Armed Robbery, kidnapping, 419
activities etc have returned full scale in the country perhaps due to
governments inability to come out with a clear policy that would
assist the youths to be fully engaged in genuine economic activities
devoid of crime. Even the so called N5000 for each unemployed youth is
yet to be implemented by the Buhari leadership. The situation facing
us in this country is such that with poor quality education and no
jobs, our youths tend to embrace crime with open arms. This has
rapidly increased in the last one year.
5. UNGUARDED STATEMENTS: The office of the President is a sacred
office. The occupier of that office should be seen as the symbol of
unity and togetherness in this country. Any statement that oozes from
the President’s mouth is therefore taken seriously.
In the last one year, President Buhari has made several
“un-statesmanly” statements that have continued to threaten the unity
of this country. And there are several instances. It is wrong and
“un-statesmanly” for President Buhari to tell us that he would
consider only those who gave him 95% votes far more than those who
gave him 5% votes. It is wrong and “un-statesmanly” for President
Buhari to tell us that Citizen Nnamdi Kanu and Col. Dasuki would not
be released despite the fact that they were severally granted bail and
their bail conditions fulfilled.
At this point, let me advice media aides of Mr. President to always
ensure that their boss is well “prepared” whenever he is to face the
public. Buhari’s many unguarded statements have truly become
embarrassments to us Nigerians. Such statements as “Nigerians are
rogues”, “Nigerians are criminals”, “Nigeria is completely broke”, “I
always come into power when the country is broke”, “Nnamdi Kanu will
not be released despite being granted bail”, “Biafra must be crushed”
etc, does not in any way project or portray President Buhari as a
sensible and responsible leader.
6. HATRED FOR SOUTH EAST: To state that President Buhari hates the
people of South-East is an understatement. He truly hates them with
passion. He is daily proving that the South East is not part of this
country, Nigeria. I have the following proofs to back up my claim:
(A) President Buhari has visited other Geo-political zones in this
country in the last one year, but has refused to visit any state in
the South East. And I am asking, why? O yes Buhari has refused to
visit Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Ebonyi States, either to
commission projects or to promise basic infrastructures to the people
of South East. Even when his wife was officially invited to Imo State
sometime last year, the vice-President’s wife was sent to represent
the first lady.
(B) Of all the people in Nigeria being prosecuted and perhaps
persecuted by Buhari led Federal Government, only those from
South-East appear in hand-cuffs.
(C) The South East region has the least representation in Federal appointments.
(D) The South East region has no single representation at the Security
Council meeting.
(E) When the Fulani herdsmen (Buhari’s brothers) slaughtered a whole
community (Nimbo community) in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of
Enugu State on the 25th of April 2016, President Buhari refused to
visit Enugu State to condole with the victim’s family and indeed the
Governor of Enugu State.
(F) Major Federal appointments held by people from South-East have
been annulled by President Buhari. He sacked and replaced them with
his Northern brothers.
(G) And so on and so forth.
It is therefore necessary that President Buhari sees this bitter truth
about his one year administration, and do the required adjustments. He
must turn a new leaf. Majority of Nigerians are not happy with him and
his style of governance. He should see all Nigerians as his children.
He should see every part of Nigeria as his constituency. In fact,
Buhari should see the militants in the Niger-Delta region as his
children who are angry with his style of leadership. He must call them
and talk to them. Afterall, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was a Fulani man, yet
he sent a Presidential Jet to bring his children in the Niger-Delta
region to Aso-Rock. He had sincere, genuine and fruitful discussions
with them. Thereafter, the militants whole-heartedly dropped their
arms. Conversely, Buhari should come down from his high horse. He
should follow the same road map. This is what leadership is all about.
After all, our Lord Jesus Christ bent down and washed the feet of his
disciples. If Buhari continues to show that he is a hard man, then the
Niger Delta militants will continue to embarrass him and his
government by bombing and destroying oil facilities. Again, Buhari
should see Citizen Nnamdi Kanu as his son. The young man has suffered
enough and should be released on compassionate ground.
Nigerians are talking, Nigerians are reacting, and Nigerians are
agitating. Nigerians want Buhari to turn a new leaf, hence this bitter
truth. Even Professor Tam David-West (a Buhari fanatic) is not happy
with Buhari’s style of leadership.
But if Buhari continues to behave as EZE ONYEAGWALAM, then we will
have no alternative than to continue to shout EZE ONYEACHILA ANYI.
Coming nearer home, if Buhari continues to treat the people of South
East with disdain, the resultant effect will be total rejection of his
leadership and his political party. Already, my good friend Governor
Rochas Okorocha, (the only sign post of APC in South East and chairman
APC Governors’ forum) has openly expressed his frustration by telling
the whole world that APC is mismanaging its victory. Conversely, come
2019 the people of South East will come out in their numbers to tell
Buhari “Enough is Enough!”
Nevertheless, President Buhari has ample time to make amends. He
should visit South East. He should convince the people that he has
indeed turned a new leaf.
President Buhari, “NAKWA ECHEKI”
I rest my Pen.
Signed:
Citizen (Dr) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
