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| SAMUELSON |
The leadership
of President MuhammaduBuhari 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 theBuhari 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. RotimiAmaechi, the immediate past governor of Rivers State
was indicted for corruption by the NyesomWike 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 OlisaMetuh). 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 NnamdiKanuand 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”, “NnamdiKanu 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 representationin 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. Infact, 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 CitizenNnamdiKanu 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 RochasOkorocha, (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
Former Senior
Special Assistant on Media
Former Senior
Special Assistant on Special Duties
Imo State House
of Assembly
Owerri-Imo
State, Nigeria.
28th
May, 2016.
07032934037
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