President Muhammadu Buhari has been away on a critical medical trip to England for about two months now. Before he left, he handed authority to his deputy, whom he praised for his loyalty. A very honest man, well educated and a man with Nigerian project at heart. But since the President left, however, things began to fall apart. And if it continues like that, the center will not hold.

Firstly, the method of getting at our national treasury thieves where a percentage of what is recovered from them is promised the informer ( popularly christened whistle blowing) was getting popularity and positive results due to the confidence built in the public. In the last two months, this seems to died down naturally.

Secondly, a traitor, who wants to dismember our country, kept securely by PMB in the gaol, was released on bogus bail conditions. Once out there, Nnamdi Kanu has violated all the bail conditions placed on him and nothing has been done. Buoyed by the Government's powerlessness in this regard, he has started earnest mobilisation of thugs in public dormain and making all the worst possible inflammatory comments, not abroad on Radio Biafra, but right here under the noses of our authorities.

Thirdly, some discredited former rulers of our country, who kept mute while the President held sway, are now calling for re-structuring of Nigeria and so many other vague and clandestine jargons aimed at destabilising our country. So far, they have been putting pressure on the Government with the onerous aim at truncating the change agenda of the present administration.

Fourthly, the Senate president, Olusola Saraki, was earlier docked for false declaration of assets. This was part of the bold attempt of the PMB administration to try people of offences they committed, irrespective of their position of authority or status. But in a surprised assault on the nation, the inconclusive trial was suddenly pronounced in his favour and was unconditionally cleared of any wrong doing! To show Nigerians that he is getting more powerful than the Acting President, he warned of possible impeachment on the acting President on the issue of Magu! The worst disrespect to Osinbanjo, however, was his attempt to declare himself the Acting President yesterday at the hallowed chamber!

Arrogantly as well, a Senator from Kogi State, Dino Melaye, is in the process of being recalled by his constituency. Every electorates under our democratic system have the right to recall their representative if they feel he was no longer representing their interest. But this Senate President, in a brazen disregard for our constitution, arrogantly said the fate of his lackey lies with him in the Senate, not with the people, indicating that the Senate will override the decision of the people in the long run!

I have earlier voiced my concern here that insurgency is gradually sneaking back into our midst with the recent attacks recorded in Maiduguri and elsewhere, while official corruption is getting its seat dusted in the public service once again. Today, non-payment of workers' salaries at the Federal Government level is equally sneaking back. It seems we are all in for it as it is!

I do not blame the acting President for the crumbling fortunes gradually garnered in the last two years. He is understandably, politically and administratively, a green horn player at the national level, catapulted by his party to assist PMB in the change agenda. He is a good man, no doubt, but he has to be strong in facing these evils sneaking back into our system. Otherwise, the center can no longer hold.


- Zailani Bappa