When President Muhammadu Buhari became the Head of State of Nigeria On the 31st of December 1983, he was a forty one (41) year Major-General serving as General Officer Commanding the Third Armored Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos and it was just a few days after his birthday on the 17th. On the 29th May 2015 some thirty odd years after he has been sworn in as president. This time he is - in his own words - a "Converted Democrat". He is now a seventy two (72) year old politician who has run for that post in every election in the fourth republic - a total of four (4) times.
The amount of controversy that trailed him during the general elections begged the need to gain some clarity about him. I discovered that he's participated in three (3) coups in Nigeria's rich sixty five (65) year history and his last one ousted Shagari. He's been a governor, minister of petroleum resources and head of the PTDF but has confined himself to a somewhat ascetic existence in atypical fashion.
While a lot can and has been said of him on both sides of the moral divide, it is undeniable when considered objectively that he is regarded as an incorrupt leader and a man of fierce integrity.
Needless to say, in a time when corruption has become commonplace in our most hallowed institutions, the fight against corruption and war against indiscipline - two strong elements of his previous government - are imperative as critical and pivotal elements of the strategy that must be deployed going forward.
One cannot fail to see the resemblance especially as astutely outlined in this PM News article - Buhari, A Hero Then, A Hero Now in his first and second ascension to the highest office in the country. In 1983, he became head of state amidst precarious economic circumstances during the Shehu Shagari regime which are all too reminiscent of Nigeria's current situation. To name a few, there was then and is now:
Are Nigerians only ready to accept the taste of the bitter medicine we need for things to get better when it is almost too late? We must point out that this "change" is only here now because the people of Nigeria didn't want it bad enough until now. Our experiences as a nation have brought us up to the point where we would rather have a former military ruler take charge than a civilian democrat. Perhaps we were too busy doing the dance around with quacks and charlatans who distracted us with such loud but empty promises - with micro interventions that did nothing to stop the rapid dilapidation of the nation.
This time, let us as a nation be older and wiser and tread the path of National recovery with more participation and vigilance. No one can singlehandedly solve even their own problems.
A lot has also been said about his suitability for the position of President of Nigeria considering his past as a military 'dictator' but what matters now is that he is president. It is immaterial whether it was just bad luck for the outgoing administration to be the first incumbent to be voted out in Nigeria's political history or as a result of gross mismanagement and monumental ineptitude among other things,
We must discontinue the promotion of divisive sentiments that do nothing for national unity but rather talk objectively about advancing the commonwealth of Nigeria for the good of all.
Such a conversation must be continuous, careful and calculated, a national discourse that is without feudalistic machinations and draconian hegemony. It must be all encompassing and embracing, bold and visionary. It must not preclude any sect or group from participation but be forthright and equitable forthwith.
I am not talking about another national conference but rather, the manifestation of a government that does not waste any effort in promoting the welfare of its citizens - that understands that it comes from the same crop of people and without them - it is nothing. Even the most powerful kingdoms of the earth in times past have only thrived on the support of their people.
This power of the people is a concept that I believe the outgoing ruling party has become quite familiar with. The people of Nigeria more so. I have lost count of how many times I have heard someone tell me it doesn't matter if we vote, the "powers that be" would put their man in power. It is only mental laziness to think that way. Our numbers at the very least are too overwhelming for us to embrace docility so easily. We have all witnessed firsthand our power to self determine. The power to choose our own destiny as a people and not succumb to mediocrity and think it will be alright in the end.
In summary, my hope is all Nigerians will now realize that God only helps those who help themselves. Good leadership isn't borne of luck, good or bad but of duty, discipline and diligence. We must uphold the values and noble ideals that all men everywhere hold true. We must expand our internal capacity for self development and progress. Because when we put our minds and backs to it, the harvest can be plenteous and abundant, more than enough for all - and then it won't matter what part of the country we are from, or how we choose to worship.
Change has begun, let's get to work.
Thank you for reading. Please leave your comments below.
The amount of controversy that trailed him during the general elections begged the need to gain some clarity about him. I discovered that he's participated in three (3) coups in Nigeria's rich sixty five (65) year history and his last one ousted Shagari. He's been a governor, minister of petroleum resources and head of the PTDF but has confined himself to a somewhat ascetic existence in atypical fashion.
While a lot can and has been said of him on both sides of the moral divide, it is undeniable when considered objectively that he is regarded as an incorrupt leader and a man of fierce integrity.
Needless to say, in a time when corruption has become commonplace in our most hallowed institutions, the fight against corruption and war against indiscipline - two strong elements of his previous government - are imperative as critical and pivotal elements of the strategy that must be deployed going forward.
One cannot fail to see the resemblance especially as astutely outlined in this PM News article - Buhari, A Hero Then, A Hero Now in his first and second ascension to the highest office in the country. In 1983, he became head of state amidst precarious economic circumstances during the Shehu Shagari regime which are all too reminiscent of Nigeria's current situation. To name a few, there was then and is now:
- Significant decline in world oil prices and resultant dwindling of the nation's finances.
- Copious allegations of corruption absent judicial consequence.
- Endemic ethnic religious violence.
- Widespread unpopularity of the government with the citizens.
Are Nigerians only ready to accept the taste of the bitter medicine we need for things to get better when it is almost too late? We must point out that this "change" is only here now because the people of Nigeria didn't want it bad enough until now. Our experiences as a nation have brought us up to the point where we would rather have a former military ruler take charge than a civilian democrat. Perhaps we were too busy doing the dance around with quacks and charlatans who distracted us with such loud but empty promises - with micro interventions that did nothing to stop the rapid dilapidation of the nation.
This time, let us as a nation be older and wiser and tread the path of National recovery with more participation and vigilance. No one can singlehandedly solve even their own problems.
A lot has also been said about his suitability for the position of President of Nigeria considering his past as a military 'dictator' but what matters now is that he is president. It is immaterial whether it was just bad luck for the outgoing administration to be the first incumbent to be voted out in Nigeria's political history or as a result of gross mismanagement and monumental ineptitude among other things,
We must discontinue the promotion of divisive sentiments that do nothing for national unity but rather talk objectively about advancing the commonwealth of Nigeria for the good of all.
Such a conversation must be continuous, careful and calculated, a national discourse that is without feudalistic machinations and draconian hegemony. It must be all encompassing and embracing, bold and visionary. It must not preclude any sect or group from participation but be forthright and equitable forthwith.
I am not talking about another national conference but rather, the manifestation of a government that does not waste any effort in promoting the welfare of its citizens - that understands that it comes from the same crop of people and without them - it is nothing. Even the most powerful kingdoms of the earth in times past have only thrived on the support of their people.
This power of the people is a concept that I believe the outgoing ruling party has become quite familiar with. The people of Nigeria more so. I have lost count of how many times I have heard someone tell me it doesn't matter if we vote, the "powers that be" would put their man in power. It is only mental laziness to think that way. Our numbers at the very least are too overwhelming for us to embrace docility so easily. We have all witnessed firsthand our power to self determine. The power to choose our own destiny as a people and not succumb to mediocrity and think it will be alright in the end.
In summary, my hope is all Nigerians will now realize that God only helps those who help themselves. Good leadership isn't borne of luck, good or bad but of duty, discipline and diligence. We must uphold the values and noble ideals that all men everywhere hold true. We must expand our internal capacity for self development and progress. Because when we put our minds and backs to it, the harvest can be plenteous and abundant, more than enough for all - and then it won't matter what part of the country we are from, or how we choose to worship.
Change has begun, let's get to work.
Thank you for reading. Please leave your comments below.
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