PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year
broadcast on 1st January, 2018 catalogued a new dawn and high hopes
to Nigerians unlike the previous year the government squarely battled with
economic recession which led to hardship with negative effects on virtually all
sectors of the economy alongside the citizenry especially the low class. The presidential
broadcast irrefutably echoed statesmanship, responsiveness and commitment
especially as the blueprints touched visibly on all segments and regions with
litanies of capital projects and articulated action-plans for dividends of
democracy, equitably distributed across the country.
Indeed, if the blueprints eventually
succeed as presented, President Buhari will retire politically in the hearts of
Nigerians up to the future generations. Thus, this is not time for pessimism,
cynicism or drifting attacks but, to supportively, give the benefit of the
doubt. In a nutshell, the message signposts that the country is now out of
recession. During recession, Buhari as the pilot did communicate and
emphatically pleaded for sacrifices. As the position changed, citizens should
cheerfully embrace the change.
Arguably, President Buhari, perhaps unknown
to many, is the most tolerant leader in the history of the country since 1999
democracy was permanently restored. To buttress this, a minister in his
government and statutorily under his absolute discretion, Hajia Aisha Alhassan,
Minister of Women Affairs, plainly signaled a political interest in Atiku Abubakar’s
presidential ambition against her boss re-election, and yet remained in office.
Statutorily, the President requires no approval from anyone or rigorous laid
down procedures to disengage her from his government, and not even in advanced
democracy like the United States of America or Britain has such political
tolerance or leniency been witnessed. Obviously, this is a salient feature of focused
leadership superior to partisan politics. No wonder, the president referred his
political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) which he’s actually the
overall leader as “your party” to the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun
in reaction to recent defection of Atiku Abubakar to the Peoples’ Democratic Party,
PDP. The point is clear; Buhari is splendidly, much more of the nation’s leader
with craving to make a remarkable difference than a mere political leader.
Emphatically, Buhari’s New Year broadcast rekindled hopes to the citizenry and
substantially synchronized his maiden remarkable pledge during inauguration on
May 29, 2015, that “I am for everybody. I am for nobody”.
For all intents and purposes, the
broadcast touched on all fundamental issues particularly hate and discriminatory
utterances along religious and ethnic lines as often witnessed in the polity
especially from the opposition. Some in their defenses claimed that PDP is on
tit for tat; replaying and paying back to APC
what it received during its then administrations. Then, assuming the claims are
affirmative, where then are the acumen, maturity and experiences PDP garnered
in the 16 years in power, how much less added values to our political system if
the party adopts alleged dispositions and strategies of its then major opposition
now in power, forgetting easily the “clueless” status it branded the ruling APC? In my opinion, this amounts to gross paradox
and indicates gyratory system and unproductive political development. As a hitherto
ruling party for nearly two decades, PDP ought to capably provide a sound and policy-based
opposition distinct from the grotesque parodies.
Be that as it may, whilst it is
inarguable that democracy encourages and triumphs with opposition in place, it
must inevitably be played according to rules rather than the current nihilism
and unfriendliness. As political activities would certainly gather momentum
ahead of general elections in 2019, it is imperative the polity is not heated
out of proportion. Opposition in democracy is usually relative and essentially distinctive
from ad hominem and pull-down syndromes, and must essentially reflect
constructivism and not for opposing sake. A desirable opposition must be
characterized by idealism with a common goal; service-delivery rather than hostility,
resisting opportunities for values, tranquility, and resourcefully, must be capable
of providing solutions in critical circumstances. The position in a democracy is
vital and critically goes beyond inconsequentialities, trivialities or superficialities
but superior viewpoints and perspectives. To stand powerfully and adeptly in the
gap of opposition requires orientation, resourcefulness and know-hows. If not,
it metamorphoses to nuisances.
To supplement to matters of national
importance for urgent presidential intervention in the new year, the lingering superiority
battle between two agencies of the executive arm; National Universities
Commission (NUC) and Council of Legal Education (CLE)
since 2013 which has caused colossal hardship to some innocent citizens that
graduated from the nation’s only Open and Distance Learning institution;
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) needs to be addressed speedily. The
federal government needs to, perhaps set up a harmonization panel towards
resolving the quagmire to enable, in particular existing affected students and
graduates proceed to the Nigerian Law School for vocational training in line
with conventional norms without further delays. Though the crisis was inherited
from previous governments, President Buhari should administratively intervene
towards resolving the squabbles putting into consideration that generally, the
grass suffers where two elephants fight. The continued travails of the innocent
students of the federal institution are condemnable and requires urgent
remedies. Happy New Year fellow Nigerians!
Umegboro, a public
affairs analyst wrote from Lagos and could be reached via: umegborocarl@gmail.com or 07057101974 (SMS only).
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