At no point has the title of the article
written by Nasir ElRufai in 2009 “Umaru Yar`dua: Great Expectation,
Disappointing Outcome” made more sense to me than in the current dispensation
of President Muhammadu Buhari. With the hopes and promises that heralded the
swearing in of the current administration in May 2015, one is left to wonder if
in our desire/desperation for a better Nigeria we mistook guava for apples and
in our efforts to better the most populous black Nation on earth, we forced in square peg in round hole.
Yes it is barely two years since the swearing
in of this government but as El Rufai rightfully quoted in his article of 2009
a prevalent saying amongst Hausa speakers of Northern Nigeria, which roughly
translated means: “You know that an enjoyable weekend is round the corner when
things begin to look good by Wednesday, (otherwise, forget the weekend, or just
pray).” Barely two years in office and an average Kano man can only afford “shayin Buhari” (which has little
quantity of hot water with little sugar, lipton and half bread); barely two
years in office and there is a geometric progression in the prices of goods and
services in the market; barely two years in office and the economy is in
recession; barely two years into office and inflation has hit it highest rate
in the country; barely two years in office and Nigerians cannot afford to
travel for Christmas holidays; barely two years in office and people cannot
afford the common things they used to enjoy.
Why is it that Nigerian politicians waste the
first two years, only to become desperate in the third year to prepare for an
election in the fourth year? Sadly, with the “body language” of Mr. President there
seems to be little indications that we will see desperation in 2018 in a quest
for reelection the coming year. This does not go to say that the current
government has not made some progress towards the betterment of the Nigerian
populace. Anyone who has stayed or visited some northern part of the country in
the last five years must appreciate and drop their caps for this administration
for their efforts towards ensuring the safety of lives and property by combating
the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
The war against corruption which has recorded
significant success is one which is being fought by the current administration
and greatly applauded by many Nigerians, but with the recent happenings ranging
from the refusal of the Senate to confirm the Acting EFCC chairman and the clearing
of some kitchen cabinet members of the presidency off corruption, the fight
against corruption has created more questions than answers on the lips of many
Nigerians on the street. One is left to wonder if being close to the
presidency, or being a member of the ruling political party or defecting from
an opposition party to the ruling party is like a river Jordan baptism that exonerates
anyone (corrupt or not) from sin.
Every ‘well-meaning citizen’ will want his/her
country to be on the path of prosperity and progress irrespective of who is at
the helm of affairs and what perception they have of the number one citizen.
Nevertheless, Nigerians are not wrong to expect so much from this government
mainly because they were promised this much by the sitting government and the
ineptitude of the past administration was greatly showcased and flagged at
every given opportunity. No doubt, as compared to resource base a few years
back, there is currently a fall in the oil price. Also, past administrations
have in many instances failed to do the right thing and has been unable to plan
better for the Nigerian populace. It is also not news that past administrations
have had government officials looting funds and diverting government property. But
this is the main reason why this government is in power in the first place, am
sure if Nigerians were not tired of complaining about the past government, they
would have still voted them to remain in power. Against advice received from elder
citizens who witnessed Nigeria as at 1980s, Nigerians placed their hope in the
wisdom of an elder statesman whom we believed had the integrity and good will
to effect the desired change, but in reality as righty said by Prof Farook
Kperogi "Perhaps Buhari never had any integrity to start with. It was our
desperation for a hero that caused us to dress him in borrowed robes”
Just as El Rufai concluded his article in 2009, it is
important to reiterate that every
Nigerian hopes the Buhari government will start delivering on their campaign
promises which every society is entitled to, and what Buhari promised in his
Inaugural Address saying he “belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody”. But
the strength of the hope dwindles with each passing day. As Nigerians, we must
raise our voices to demand for these commitments, and pray for our leaders to
appreciate that they are in office to solve societal problems - not just to
make a few friends, relations and cronies better off. It is our duty to remind
President Buhari of these constantly and require him to live up to his promises.
Those that remain silent in the current situations are betraying the Nigerian
nation and even Buhari himself. It is only because we care that we take risks.
It is because we love that we sacrifice. Let us all care for and crave a better
future for our children by insisting on better governance and management of our
affairs. We are entitled to nothing less.
As we approach two years that witness for the
first time in Nigeria, the decision of the electorates to vote out a sitting
government and elect a man with integrity that will take Nigeria and Nigerians
pass the red sea of corruption, insecurity, poverty, economic downturn into the
promise land following with citizens participation in governance, sound
education, security and safety of lives and property, and a thriving and
functional economy. A lot is still left to be desired.
Bijimi
Daniel Meindous
Twitter
Handle: @Dmeindous
dmeindoius@gmail.com
