Anthony Akinola
Is Buhari being wisely advised?
President Muhammadu Buhari PHOTO: TWITTER/BASHIR AHMAD
For instance, during Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure as finance minister in the Obasanjo and Jonathan regimes, her financial prowess, experience, and general intelligence plus candid advice saw the nation’s indebtedness to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and others cancelled just as the nation’s wealth fund savings increased respectively.
Regrettably, in recent times, President Muhammadu Buhari has been a recipient of several advices, some of which are quite misleading and have caused bad blood in the polity. Of course, public opinion is increasingly divided by such misled advice, just as some political analysts argued that President Buhari’s priorities are fast changing for the worst in his second term perhaps due to poor advice. A school of thought believes that no matter how hard the ruling government tries to focus attention on matters of national interest, some misleading advice creeps in to overwhelm the agenda. A case in point is the proposed floating refineries in the Niger Delta regions. During President Buhari’s first term, he was intent on fighting corruption and insecurity among fulfilling other promises. But as time went by Nigerians began to notice some unprecedented and lackadaisical attitude that resulted in his wife Aisha alleging that hyenas and leopards have taken over his government. In like manner, well-meaning Nigerians have expressed displeasure in the way Mr. President is handling the Nigeria project, his body language towards tackling the ugly security situation, the lopsided appointment that favours a particular ethnic group, and of course his new formed shunning character.
Recently, the unhealthy advice that broke the camel’s back was when Abubakar Malami the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the other day said President Buhari cannot honour the House of Representative’s invitation because the National Assembly lacks the constitutional powers to summon Mr. President. It is absolutely surprising that the minister of justice could toll such a wonky line of argument. Under the ancient African traditional practice for instance, if farmers in a community were unable to yield good farm produce for a farming season without any known reason or a certain strange ailment is killing the people and the Chief Priests have tried their best to no avail, the king and his chiefs will come down from their royal positions to the market square to deliberate with the people on the way forward and how to stop the anomaly. Therefore, in the 21st Century modern society, the invitation from federal lawmakers who are representatives of the people was neither unconstitutional nor out of place considering the series of killings, banditry, and kidnappings in the country that necessitated the invitation.
The dust had hardly settled down from the presidency shunning of the South-South leaders and their governors than Malami created a niche for himself to speak in the manner he did. It was inappropriate to shun federal lawmakers. The President ought to have honoured the invitation and appear by way of courtesy to the lawmakers. In a way, the action has exposed the ruling government as being very efficient for the wrong priorities. These ugly scenarios go a long way to tell Nigerians that President Buhari’s claim to be a ‘Born-Again’ democrat is mere camouflage as he constantly shies away from democratic principles. Therefore, it has become clear that Buhari shunning is not simply an aftereffect of poor advice. Rather, it is the chronic reflection of the military mentality of the President that is eating out the administration’s tattered reputation. In no small measure, Nigerians are disappointed by the ruling government antics as many think that by now, it would have turned its collar round. Nevertheless, when the political Left or the opposition parties tries to ideologically identify the missing link, they are rewarded with banalities such as: The government will not be stampeded, the presidency will not be blackmailed, stop politicising the issue, the sovereignty of the nation is non-negotiable among other lousy phrases to save their face from shame.
It is always telling when a President goes out of his way and makes a public pronouncement and one of his principal officials chose to debunk the statement. Such poor traits would make the President look like a weak leader and someone who is not in control. Currently, the chief threat to the unity of the nation is insecurity which has manifested itself like a colossus in the Northern parts of the country while spreading its tentacles to other parts. Insecurity has become a paradox for the ruling government as emotional feelings, suffering, and pain from its effect on Nigerians continue to grow daily. Indeed, the controversy over the state of insecurity in the country has necessitated the outburst in the cry for help from every corner in the country, chiefly among them is the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar as people no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.
Astonishingly, the ruling government continues to exaggerate the Army’s success in dealing with the security challenges just to mask the contradictions behind it. In Buhari’s reckoning through his advisers, the service chiefs scored a full 100 per cent in every aspect of its programme, only that their best was not good enough in fighting insurgency. The problem with the ruling government is that while the security challenges in the country are clearly troubling, it does not obviously constitute misdemeanor sufficient enough to justify the rejiging of the Service Chiefs. Having embarked on the path of self-deceit, the Buhari administration must have at the back of its mind that the killings, abduction, and banditry will get to a point where it would swing public reaction against the government, just like the #EndSARS protests.
The shunning character of Mr. President has spawned a new dilemma, deeper and more profound. But the best character actors in Nigeria’s politics are President Buhari advisers, like Malami who breaks all the linear reasoning to make a counter statement after President Buhari has assured the nation of his intention to honour the lawmakers’ invitation. In this kind of political setting, there is a need for circumspection by all men who value integrity. The president of a nation must, in particular, be mindful about the kind of advice he consumes so as not to have bellyache that may result in a running stomach in the middle of a press conference. He must be sure that the advice is genuine and not coloured with politics, ethnic or religious intentions, or sheer grandstanding. A lot is going to depend in the remaining years of the Buhari administration, on how the President advisers will manage him.
Anthony Akinola
Nigeria’s security problems beyond options bandied around —Buhari
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Thursday, said the security challenges currently confronting the nation were beyond “the simplistic options being bandied around.”
Buhari said this in his Christmas message to Nigerians.
The message which he personally signed was made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
With the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency in parts of the country, groups and individuals have been calling on the President to sack the country’s service chiefs among other suggestions.
But Buhari, in his message, pleaded with Nigerians to give the military and other security agencies more time, cooperation, and support.
The President said worthy values such as joy, peace, hope, love, goodwill, and imminent salvation, which Jesus’ advent symbolises, were needed in the country at this time when the nation is confronted with diverse challenges like the rising spate of armed banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, economic recession and upsurge of COVID-19 infections.
He enjoined Nigerians to appropriate the hope that comes with Christmas and reinvest trust in his regime’s determination to restore peace, security, and prosperity to our country.
Under his watch, Buhari promised that the Federal Government will continue to provide the needed support within available resources to members of the armed forces and security agencies as they confront threats to citizens.
While commending the security agencies for their efforts so far, Buhari urged them to do more to checkmate increasing incidents of security threats especially in the northern parts of the country as well as the entire nation in varying degrees.
He said their display of tact, camaraderie, and expertise that led to the recent return of abducted schoolboys of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, would remain a milestone in the annals of the country.
The President said, “For me, providing security for all residents in the country remains an article of faith. It formed a vital segment of this administration’s three-point agenda right from inception, and we must follow through with it.
“I cannot in good conscience shirk this cardinal responsibility to secure lives and property. I feel pained each time a breach of peace and security occurs in any part of the nation. I am even more distressed when our youths, especially school children, are the targets and victims of mindless and malevolent elements in society.
“As a parent, I share the emotional torture and agony parents and guardians go through whenever their children and wards fall into the cruel hands of these enemies of decency and good society.
“I plead with fellow compatriots to give our military and other security agencies more time, cooperation, and support by volunteering credible intelligence/information on activities of armed bandits, insurgents, and other criminal elements within their communities in order to put an end to this blight on our security landscape.
“To be sure, the problems are beyond the simplistic options being bandied around. We shall remain focused on following the complex, multi-dimensional route to reducing the incidents of insecurity to the barest minimum.
“Our people must be free to live and move without let or hindrance. This is crucial not only to enthroning an atmosphere of calm and social cohesion but for the economy to grow.”
The President asked Nigerians to use the Christmas period to renew their faith in the ability of his regime to make a lasting difference in the lives of the people.
He added, “Our social intervention measures and other economic policies are already yielding positive results even at modest rates.
“We shall deliberately target our youths so that they will not fall into the trap of unpatriotic elements to foment social disobedience leading to avoidable loss of lives and property.
“Let me reiterate that while the right to peaceful association and protest is guaranteed under our laws, this administration will not fold its arms and watch protests however well-intended, degenerate into wanton killings of law enforcement and other security personnel as well as the destruction of private and national assets.
“It is gladdening to note that the various schemes and components of the Economic Sustainability Plan are being implemented faithfully to support micro-small businesses. I am particularly delighted that artisans, small-time transporters, traders, and farmers are the main beneficiaries as we continue to provide safety nets to the most vulnerable members of our society as well as business owners to mitigate the harsh economic environment occasioned by COVID-19.
“In spite of dwindling national revenue worsened by the pandemic, we will do all that is required to fully implement the 2021 Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience. We are optimistic that all things being equal, we should be able to exit recession at the shortest possible time.”
Buhai said there were indications that Nigeria is already experiencing a second wave of COVID-19 infection.
As Nigerians celebrate Christmas with families and friends, he urged them to adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical prevention guidelines of regular hand-washing, wearing masks, and social/physical distancing with a view to mitigating the spread of this devastating virus.
“While national and state institutions are trying their best, we must take individual responsibility and resist the strong temptation of compliance-fatigue by following the recommended protocols put in place by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and beat the ravaging pandemic.
“I have absolute confidence in the spirit of resilience of our people to do the needful and remain vigilant even as this festive season witnesses increased travels and celebrations.
“Staying alive to enjoy future festivals should be the watchword.
“I wish all Nigerians divine protection and Merry Christmas,” he concluded.
Anthony Akinola
In God we are secured
Buhari. Photo: TWITTER/NIGERIAGOV
Although power may be the most important concept in political science, it is not that clear in political leadership and practice. This is because political office holders’ actions and utterances often betray the trust reposed on them by the electorate. Well before he clinched power in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari was seen as a person of integrity. There are more superlative conclusions drawn from his personality, which was why almost everyone seems to agree that President Buhari’s influence and impeccable character would give the nation a sweeping economic, political and security optimistic change. However, having been on the saddle of leadership for about six years running, Mr President has come to reality that the security of the country is no longer tenable in the hands of humans but should be handed over to God. In a statement through his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said, while receiving former vice President Namadi Sambo, head of the ECOWAS election mission, Republic of Niger that only God could effectively “supervise” Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Niger.
Of course, Nigerians have no problem with that statement as they have become sedated and inured to Godliness, therefore very religious people. Indeed, handing over the nation’s border to God is absolutely welcoming. But President Buhari did not go far enough in his open confession and declaration about his government’s failure on the security of lives and property. He should have ordered that the military, police and indeed all para-military outfits be disbanded and scrapped. Clear our borders off customs personnel whose interest is to collect customs duty and turn their face away from contraband goods that constantly invade the country and impede local industries growth. Of course, immigration officers should be banned from checking who is a foreigner. Police officers should have no business to track down criminals as God will cause the conscience of evil doers to turn a new leaf or call them to order in an attempt to commit a crime. Therefore, what is the need to keep a bunch of people under branded uniform and name expending the hard earned tax payers’ money as salary on them when their job can be spiritually handled by our Heavenly Creator.
No doubt, almost any leader would feel humbled to commit his country’s borders into God’s hand as President Buhari rightly did. This is because the army seems no longer fit to be a game changer in the fight against the insurgents as they lack adequate personnel and firepower to protect lives and property in the country. There is no use to allow the military into a futile war with insurgents, particularly as many of them are fighting internal mind war over poor remuneration and welfare. Beside, how do you expect inspiration or courage from a soldier wielding a less firepower to face insurgents with sophisticated modern weapons? Yes, President Buhari’s enormous love and value for Nigerian lives prompted him to commit the effective supervision of the 1,400 kilometers border between Niger and Nigeria, and of course, the entire nation to the hand of God. In no small measure, Nigeria’s security must be treated with religious courtesy and sympathy. Our church leaders, Imams and indeed prayer warriors should be at alert for possible consultations for fervent prayers and fasting to the Almighty God to release angles to guard the borders and make the insurgents ‘pack their load’ and leave the country. In fact, what makes Mr President’s security submission to God more acceptable is that the army and police recently became aware of Nigerians strong displeasure about their antics through the EndSARS protests that exposed their constant abuses on human rights.
However, it is hard to overstate the difficulty in denying the nation the excellent and professional services of the military and the civil nature of the country’s police force to the people. It is even more unthinkable that a leader in this 21st Century with the range of sophisticated weapons and advance in technology on military software being traded at beck-and-call around the world would hand over the security of his country to God. Did the Holy book not say that Heaven help those who help themselves? If for anything, how does handing security to God in anyway make it impossible for the insurgents, smugglers and foreigners not have access into the country and carry out their nefarious activities? The whole episode reads more like a fairy tale, but it is rightly being seen as a humiliation for a country that desperately desire to see the end of insecurity within a twinkle of an eye, yet it remains miles apart because of poor leadership.
If you were not too distracted by the thoughts of COVID-19 second wave, a pandemic that has rendered the world into isolation and deeper division among countries, families, kits and keen. Or consumed by the desperate mind bugging thoughts in search of stomach infrastructure for the family under the harsh economy reeling under the weight of recession, you could have noticed that, against the backdrop of the Nigeria soldiers endless fight to defeat insurgency, their wives are wrapped in gloominess as they wailed in pain over their daily annus horribilis of losing their husbands. But, with God on guard, the constant pensive mood of soldiers’ wives about the safety of their husbands in defense of fatherland would not arise as soldiers would enjoy the yuletide holidays with their families.
Without mincing words, Nigeria stands a chance to be not just a regional economic, political and military power, but to prove her dominance in Africa like the giant that is constantly ascribed to it. Regrettably, the above remain a far cry because as a nation, we are still suffering from the baleful consequences of poor leadership. Yes, Nigeria is a big and complex democratic edifice that is greater than any individual. But it is not sufficient for the leader of Nigeria or any leader for whatever reason to ascribe protection of lives and property in a divine design, he is expected to give assurance to the citizenry that his leadership would translate to good life and comfort for them. Therefore, the nation’s future depends on erecting strong institutions instead of leaders who refuse to recognise that their weakness has driven more people into various forms of criminality. It is important for the country’s political leaders to think outside the box, and act fast by embarking on projects that add up visible improvements in the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.
Emmanuel Udogu
Anthony Akinola
No one saw 2020 coming as anything other than a normal year. Not our foremost scientists. Not even our first-rate, jet-owning prophets who speak with God every midnight. No prophet predicted the doomsday that 2020 would forever be remembered for. Not the Industrial Revolution, colonial era, or the World Wars, Cold War, or even capitalist democracy has united the world in uniformed participation and effect as the COVID-19 outbreak. Not even the Global Depression of the 1930s or Global Recession of 2008 could dare challenge the coronavirus in its effect on lives on a global scale.
Perhaps, when historians start recording their perspectives of 2020, only sports can rival COVID-19 in its global dominance. However, even sports might have to take a bow in the sense that COVID-19 triumphed over all its varieties with a pause brought to all sporting activities globally. The Olympics could not be held. The Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain, Bundesliga in Germany, Serie A in Italy and all over the world saw football shutdown. Similarly, all other sports, such as baseball, basketball, cricket, tennis, hockey, etc. all had to be shut down, at least temporarily. Businesses, banks, all events around the world had to be cancelled, placed on hold, suspended or postponed indefinitely.
Nigeria was not left out of the global pandemic, as it was eventually confirmed to be by the World Health Organisation perhaps a bit late. The country, after recording its first two cases, was thrown into panic with its virulent widespread, eventually culminating in the adoption of the global approach of lockdown, nationwide curfews from state to state, and restriction of working hours for staple food sellers while major businesses had to temporarily shut down physically. Social distancing, wearing of facemasks, refraining from handshakes, etc. became a trend. It became a crime to sneeze or cough in public or even at home. Going out was a risk while hosting visitors became even riskier.
However, while the measures above could be rationalised for countries in developed nations and maybe in some African countries, the same could not be entirely said of Nigeria. Certainly, the necessity and effectiveness of a nationwide lockdown in the country have been called to question by citizens all year long, and thus I would not be surprised if it became a subject of academic discussions subsequently. Meanwhile, a look back at how it started in the country, analysing the year in review would prove that Nigeria perhaps could have avoided the disaster of COVID-19 just as much as Donald Trump is being blamed for the same laxity in the United States. The tardiness, slow-wittedness and disastrous hesitation of both leaders (Trump and Buhari) in implementing proactive measures of performing their foremost duty-protecting the lives of their citizens-led to the death of many hundreds of thousands.
At the time when COVID-19 became known globally and there were yet no confirmed cases in the country, there were already warning cries from several quarters for the overtime proved figurine in Aso Rock to secure Nigeria and lock down airports while enforcing strict health checks on immigration. As it is characteristic of the Presdient, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), he played the game of deaf and dumb. Worse is the fact that a month or even two after it became global knowledge, Nigeria was still not in the least prepared to counter and prevent a potential outbreak in the country, let alone contain its spread. Not only did it speak ill of the country’s terrible healthcare system in dire need of heavy investment and productive attention, but also of the ineptitude and incompetency of the Buhari regime.
The consequences? Many have died. Even more, billions of naira have been wasted, siphoned, and converted into personal use by looters in the name of audio medicare. More intriguing is the fact that Buhari himself lost his closest allies. To the jubilant Nigerians, his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and newspaper publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah’s death perhaps would pain him the most. Folks perceived both deaths as divine punishment or literal consequences for his carelessness and dormancy.
More deaths. Nigerians mourned global celebrities they have grown fond of such as Kobe Bryant, an African-American basketball legend; Chadwick Boseman, a legendary actor who kept representing and advocating for the black race through his exceptionality in the Hollywood; Jerry Rawlings, Ghana’s former and longest-serving president; Majek Fashek, a Nigerian singer and songwriter based in the US; and Diego Armando Maradona, Argentinian and global football star of “the hand of God” fame, among sundry others.
The death of higher education followed that of humans. While COVID-19 was responsible for the nationwide lockdown, tertiary education at its apogee was on lockdown. I wrote many times about this during the year. The ASUU strike is third on my list of national phenomena worthy of note in 2020, which I will be pinning on the government again. Disputes over unmet government promises of over a decade that have been renewed over time, logistics of IPPIS and unpaid arrears snowballed into the declaration of a two-week warning strike in March, and subsequently an indefinite strike amidst COVID-19. While the government has seemed to come to an agreement in the month of December with ASUU, the 10 wasted months in public institutions cannot be remedied for students. Their colleagues in private institutions on account of this year are already a session ahead of them, let alone adding previous ASUU strike actions. Many students have resorted to fraud, prostitution, or pecuniary trade in a bid to make money while losing focus on their academics. A student recently committed suicide at the University of Ilorin after losing N300 million to forex exchange trading. Where did he get the money from? You have to inquire after the odds of this happening if academic life had not been paused for avoidable reasons. Further, and perhaps a huge cause for concern, many are not even looking forward to resumption. The few who do only want to get their certificates and get out. The purpose of education in Nigeria is being defeated and the youth are gradually losing interest.
Fourth on my list is another matter I have hitherto contributed to in writing- the #EndSARS saga. The hash tag trended all across the world, prompting international investigation from Amnesty International, the BBC, CNN as well as local investigation by Premium Times. Many are said to have lost their lives, having become victims of the very ill they sought to correct from devilish policemen. The icing on the cake is the Lekki Massacre in which soldiers were deployed to put out the protest after all other means, such as bribing thugs to infiltrate the protests, failed. These soldiers, as evidence from sundry investigations have proved, opened live round magazines on peaceful protesters who were demanding that the government should protect their right to life. Instead, the hostile government killed more and failed to bring to book any of those responsible. Further, the government went after burying the truth, peddling false narratives one after the other, all of which were debunked. Authorities threatened witnesses, forcing DJ Switch -who had live-recorded the event on Instagram- to seek asylum in Canada. The President remains in power, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has not resigned, The Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has not lost his job, the soldiers got away with it, young lives were prematurely terminated, and SARS remains. What a tragic irony!
To be concluded
- Prof Falola contributed this piece from The University of Texas at Austin, United States.