The past one year of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has witnessed an era Nigerians have been able to maintain unprecedented calm in the face of daunting challenges that would have forced them to crack. Buhari has enjoyed the tremendous support for Nigerians who are having undying expectations that the change is real.
Many Nigerians believe in the All Progressive Congress (APC) change mantra. They must have bet with their lives that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration strides in ending insurgency, ending corruption and provide public service infrastructures. They must have had great expectations of witnessing celebration across the country, one year after taking over the mantle of leadership.
It is however unimpressive for expectations to be so rocket science based under the present economic realities. And for those waiting for comparison, there is no need for comparison between Buhari led administration and that of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led administration.
Those who feel Buhari has not met expectations of the masses may not be far from the truth. What many Nigerians must realize is that the past one year is replete with unfriendly economic environments, which only a few the government unwittingly plunged Nigerians into. It is however important for Nigerians, presently segmented politically to understand that there is no way a government can succeed without goodwill.
Jonathan is certainly one of the most hated Nigerian presidents. His administration is one of the most disgraced. Not many Nigerians reasoned that not supporting Jonathan because he is from a minority part of the South, south will have effect that will come round hunting the future of the country socially, politically and economically.
The concern was to get him out at all cost, regardless of implication. Interestingly, leaders before him had similar or worse issues of corruption challenges. They were perpetuated by their stoogies, so nobody could probe them. Jonathan’s achievements were quickly forgotten even before he handed over power. The very laudable ones like the TSA, BVN, rail projects and many more have been appropriated by the incumbent administration as their own initiative and who cares?
President Buhari must have shocked many of his supporters who wanted the head of Jonathan on a latter when he insisted he wont probe predecessor. Why should he probe Jonathan over the same offense committed by leaders before him in reversed order to 1985? Buhari has indeed exhibited the ‘Solomonic wisdom’. Now those calling for the blood of Jonathan can look for water to drink instead.
Our democracy may have advanced but must be sustained with good conduct. Once Jonathan who I am not saying is a saint is hanged over same crimes committed by his predecessor, a very wrong signal would have been sent. Hardly will any sitting president concede power to opposition, no matter how ugly its implication would be on the corporate existence of Nigeria.
Buhari has indeed started a new path for Nigeria. He must be lauded for his bravery in confronting institutionalized corruption with structures spread across the country. His strides in dealing with the blazing nuzzles of corruption has staggered an empire of crime many Nigerian leaders failed to fight instead became shareholders.
For those who have managed to score the Buhari administration below average, they must understand that his administration has taught many lessons. The past one year under the leadership of President Buhari has succeeded in teaching many things only a few Nigerians have patience to understand.
Impunity, large scale corruption, administrative recklessness, lackadaisical approach to work, has been relatively contained in the past one year. Nigerians have also been able to reduce reckless spending on frivolous parties and idle past time on account of government cash policy and growing cost of living. Nigeria policy makers have also been forced to explore other economic avenues order than the crude oil based economy on account of the biting global economic realities.
This past one year has also thought Nigerians that no region is useless and that is regardless of whether it’s populous or contains all forms of economic prospects. The game of violence has however become a major tool in the hands of dangerous characters to discredit governments. Jonathan has had his scar with Boko Haram, Buhari has the Niger Delta Avengers to contend with.
If Nigerians will understand that who the president is should have nothing to do with regional, ethnic, or religious affairs, then we will all work for the progress of our dear nation. The mistake started from Jonathan. He did not fail largely on account of incompetence. He failed because he was rejected, abandoned and his activities largely discredited.
I can see distractions coming at Buhari. His case might be worse. At least Jonathan had funds to fight terrorism, manage some economic affairs. With the daily bombing of oil installations in the Niger Delta, there will soon be nothing for the incumbent president to work with.
The APC administration must accept the past one year as a period of “on-the-job” learning process. They have to perfect plans to weave themselves out of the knot they used propaganda to rope themselves with. It wont be out of place to warn future Nigerian political party’s to guard against unnecessary propaganda and hate speeches witnessed before and after the 2015 elections.
It is not time to compare but a time to consolidate. Not a time to distract but a time to discern. Nigerians must learn that nothing is worth dying for. Nigerians must also learn to understand that no leader is useless unless that leader starts feeling the heat of searing hate from their subjects. Buhari can only be as good as the social, political and economic environment – largely coordinated by heterogeneous Nigerians will let him be.
Written by, Israel A. Ebije.
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