BEVERLY HILLS, August 28, (THEWILL) – Government activities have picked up since President Muhammadu Buhari returned from an over-100-day medical vacation in London. On Friday, he hosted two meetings back-to-back proving to critics and cynics that he is now well and ready to take on the responsibility of his office. Indeed, the President’s return has eased the tension that had gripped the country while he received treatment in the United Kingdom capital.
Aside stabilizing the polity, the end of Buhari’s latest medical vacation has put paid to the speculations that he was on a life support in an undisclosed hospital or had even passed away, and has most importantly relieved the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo the burden of running two offices.
Thus, expectations are high that the many challenges facing the country would be addressed with renewed vigour, especially as it appeared that mischief makers and ethnic gladiators had a field day while Buhari was away. Hate speeches and a song flying around sent the country to the precipice in a manner never experienced since the end of the turbulent civil war of 1967-1970.
In a nationwide broadcast delivered two days after his return, the President noted this much when he stated that comments on the social media have crossed the national red line and left him distressed while he was away in London attending to his health.
Unfortunately, despite saying that he kept abreast of issues at home while he was away by monitoring reports in the public television, Buhari went on to claim that the consensus view is that Nigeria should remain as one, asserting that the unity of the country is settled and non-negotiable. The widespread criticisms which this standpoint has attracted is a pointer that the national consensus is in favour of restructuring the Nigerian federation and the President must take practical steps in making this happen.
Buhari must urgently restore the confidence of a good number of citizens to his government by feeling the pulse of aggrieved nationalities and address the inequalities and marginalization they are complaining about. He must show that there is no disconnect between him and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which is now working out modalities for its own version of ‘restructuring’.
The state of insecurity in the country is one that should greatly occupy the President’s mind. Good enough, one of the first meetings he had upon return was with the nation’s security chiefs where he gave them marching orders to tackle issues threatening the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
But beyond the rhetoric, Buhari must ensure that those he has charged with this responsibility frontally tackle the reckless killings, kidnappings and senseless threats to a peaceful co-existence in the country.
Since his medical leave abroad loudly testifies to the parlous state of public health institutions and infrastructures in the country, the President should fold his sleeves and work towards making sure that Nigerians also have a taste of those amenities available to the President for the 104 day he spent in London.
Practical steps must be taken by the President to revamp the nation’s economy, reverse the growing unemployment trend and rising increase of prices of food, good and services, not forgetting the power sector.
THEWILL insists that the pains of Nigerians must be eased by every means necessary if this administration wants to be taken seriously.
—
About the Author
