The Campaign Theme of the then presidential candidate of APC, Gen. Mohammud Buhari during the 2015 election is “Anti-Corruption”. So I agree that he should tenaciously prosecute corrupted people but his focus must not be on corruption alone to the detriment of other areas of governance. Only the macro and micro economies of Nigeria can guarantee employment and welfare services for the people. Buhari’s style of governance since assumption of office is not fully democratic. 100 days have passed without forming his cabinet. He has flouted the constitution in some of the appointments he has made so far by not conforming to the dictates of the constitution. It is sad that some are jubilating on the undemocratic principles preferring dictatorship to democratic process.
A critical analysis of Buhari’s pronouncements in the first 100 days in office is very important. Among these pronouncements are (1) the order to the Ministry of Aviation to re-establish the National Carrier without necessarily weighing the options; (2) taking over from Ghana, the management of the Nigerian airspace in the Gulf of Guinea; (3) stopping the sponsor of pilgrimages to Mecca; (4) charging the wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari with Nigerian women and youth related issues; (5) implementing Jonathan’s Treasury Single Account in Nigeria for all government ministries, agencies and parastatals in charge of sourcing revenue for the government in accordance with sections 80 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); (6) amending the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) for the rapid implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland, reflecting a new governance framework comprising a governing council, a board of trustees and project management; (7) retaining, maintaining and improving the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as a functional vehicle for the promotion of national unity and integration; (8) shrinking the Directorates of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) from eight to four; (9) appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; and (10) the removal of Nigerian Police guiding private citizens, among others.
It is nothing new to inherit an imperfect system. President Obama of USA did and started in earnest to recreate the imperfection to the present level. President Buhari should focus on recreating the imperfection to perfection rather than continue to sing the song of imperfect system. If the system is perfect, he will never have been able to defeat Jonathan. President Buhari should tackle unemployment and security in the nation. Buhari’s corruption probe should start from 2006 to tally with the Senate investigation of EFCC back to 2006. Nigerians are wondering why Buhari is dumping the $182M Halliburton Bribe Scandal and linking it to his fear of Babangida, Obasanjo, Abdulsalami and Atiku, the president needs to be careful about his statements directly or indirectly through his proxies. Of recent, he has made too much callow statements. Barely ten days to his administration Buhari stated that he met “virtually empty treasury” from his immediate predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. He was immediately cautioned that that Jonathan left over $300billion. The country could not had generated enough resources, if the treasury is “virtually empty”, to get $21m to the multinational force, $23 million to Chad Basin Commission within a short time.
Also his advice to Nigerian Lawyers on their choice of defending looters of Nigeria public treasury, felt short of perception. Lawyers are trained to defend their clients. This statement should have been directed to the Government prosecutors. Nigerian Judges pass their judgements based on what is argued and cited in their courts; though some of them might be corrupt. Buhari’s presidency must build Institutions rather than Individuals, close porous borders and destroy the cankerworm the terrorists have become. Boko Haram insurgency must be stopped quickly. The president must rise above ethnic and tribal configuration. He must deal decisively with the Fulani Herdsmen that are on rampage in North Central especially in Jos killing women and children and ravaging villages.
Dear JoeSoboyejo,
You have raised a lot of questions that a begging for answers from our President.
A lot of our people are still having clouded thoughts on the fact that the country had gone a few steps forward and several miles backward from May 29 .
The President had flouted the constitution he swore on oath to protect and our people are hailing just because it was not Jonathan .
Ordering a National Carrier without thinking deeply about it will land the carrier in bigger troubles as well as portray the nation in bad light. We sure can’t run government on the pages of newspapers and by dubbing everyone in the opposition party as corrupt.
I support your stance that ALL thieves of the common patrimony of Nigerians must face the law to serve as deterrent to others but that must be done in a way to better the lots of the common man on the street. Until the President’s actions translate to better and quality lives for the common man on the Nigerian street, they may soon start singing ” anti-corruption my foot”.