“His ‘body language’, spoken words, policies and priorities has led to the economic mess we are in today. Hailers will disagree, but they are entitled to their opinions.”
I have tried not to wail in solidarity with over 15 million Nigerians that voted General Muhammadu Buhari, out of respect for their decision. As a leader in my own right, I have tried to understand his mindset, the challenges he is facing, and the ‘perceived’ long term benefits he foresees, that has made him take some decisions and stick to it, despite the current hardship those decisions and policies have caused.
On the economic front, I have kept mute due to my limited knowledge of macro and micro economics; but it becomes worrisome when experts like Prof Soludo and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, men with renowned experience as former governors of central bank, start showing pointers to laymen like us, on how this current administration has been making policies that are detrimental to the growth of the country. As I hope our economic experts get it right soon, I will continue to pray for them
Be that as it may, my attention has been drawn to the ongoing federal government led campaign with the theme: “CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME”, and I have been asked to state my view about it. This is the purpose of this article. My response is summed up in these words: “Good Idea, Wrong Timing”. The reasons for my summation are given below.
In 2012 during a leadership seminar, the resource person once said; “A good leader takes his people from where they are, to where they ought be”- Victor Nsien. That statement has proven to be true by all standards, when used as a yardstick to measure successful leaders around the world. But as a learning student on leadership, over time and from  personal research, I have written a rejoinder to the above quote. “Agreat leader, while taking his people from where they are, to where they ought to be, must put into consideration the idiosyncrasies of his people in other to achieve the set goal with minimum resistance from a larger number of the people he hopes to liberate”. The people (if not all, a good majority), must be made to see the bigger picture, and to share in the vision and dream of that future. A living proof of this improved system of leadership is the paramount ruler of Dubai, *Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum* A good study of his book; *My Vision* is a book I will recommend for PMB and his aides.
After Buhari and his aides entered Aso-Rock, they seem to have lost touch with the reality on ground. Perhaps the uninterrupted power supply at the villa, made them forget that the greater part of this country is electrically unlit.
While the president enjoyed massive support during his honeymoon from his electoral victory, his handlers were busy trying to please their boss by painting him the Messiah of the country. They claimed the glory for the end time success of the outgoing regime, and tagged the failures to the inadequacy of the outgoing regime. They lost that crucial opportunity of selling the *change begins with me* ideology to the Nigerian masses.
Secondly, they started the anti-corruption war with the president as the brand ambassador, making every success in the effort to curb corruption as a feather on the political cap and a plus to the statemanship of Mr. President. This made me wonder if they ever studied Nigerian history as a course or for their personal consumption. This is because every history student knows that our ‘animalistic ego’ has been there from the foundation of the entity called Nigeria. If Nigeria must go forward, we must not be more concerned about the ethnic group that championed the course than the good fortune the forward movement will give to us. For further clarification, get different versions of our fight for independence and see the hidden ethnic struggle for supremacy and ego in the various records.
Also, it is on record that politicians oppose policy, even when it will be beneficial to the populace, as long as it gives a political entity or a group an advantage over their contemporaries. Bill Clinton and his Democratic party vs the Republican Congressmen and Senators, 1992- 2000 is a case study.
Thirdly, they finally launched the change begins with me campaign after the presidency and his party, the APC had not lived up to the promises they made. The cost of running governance is still high, both on state and federal levels, the promised reduction of the presidential jet is still unfulfilled, investors we were made to believe are coming to the country to invest due to their trust in the current administration are yet to come, corruption cases are still dragging in our court rooms, with insignificant figures and not one has been convicted, not to talk of the economic downturn and inflation, the list goes on. Launching a campaign like this at this time, is liken to telling a man without food the importance of fasting. He will obviously take your counsel either as an insult or as a ploy not to help him with some food. This is exactly how Nigerians are taking the campaign. While some feel insulted by the action, some see it as another cover up to placate the hungry masses of the cluelessness and ineptitude of the current government.
What could they have done differently?
Now assuming they have launched the change begins with me campaign immediately after GMB victory at the polls, his fight against corruption would have been built around the masses. Victory over corruption wouldn’t have been victory for Buhari alone as his handlers are making it look now. Those crying foul and claiming they are being hunted wrongly would not have had enough supporters, as anyone supporting them would be seen as anti-masses. Adams Oshiomhole vs Anenih/ Igbinedion 2007- 2014 is a fresh case study. Again, the political class that was supposed to oppose the fight in a bid to be in the good records of the public will have no option than to support the agenda. Bill Clinton vs Congress in the passage of his budgets 1996- 2000 is another case study.
As much as the change begins with me campaign is wrongly timed, it doesn’t mean it is a bad initiative. As I have always said in my previous post, the making of a greater Nigeria is a collective responsibility. The restructuring we are clamouring for must also begin with us as individuals.
Yes, Change begins with me! For that I must not keep shut when things are going wrong, and I must not also fail to commend the effort of the government when things are going right.
But when will it be right?
Written by Idede Osesky.
