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Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 8:37pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
President Muhammadu Buhari is dangerously close to leaving Nigerians disillusioned. Forget about his failure (as at this writing) to announce his cabinet, bad as it is. For me, the deeper disappointment lies in the near- absence of the president’s voice from the national conversation. Okey Ndibe Let’s begin, however, with the least important element of Mr. Buhari’s so far lack-luster Presidency. It’s approximately three months since Nigerians voted for Mr. Buhari, on his fourth try, to be their president. By any objective measure, three months is more than enough time for a man who sought power with a certain persistence to figure out his cabinet. The president’s explanation for his tardiness in unveiling a cabinet is two-fold. One is that his predecessor, President Goodluck Jonathan, had been less than fully cooperative with his transition team. The second: that he wants a thorough background check done on potential ministers to save himself the chore of firing ministers shortly after nominating them. There are, I suggest, two other—perhaps even more important—factors that Mr. Buhari chose not to name. One has to do with Nigerians’ (unreasonably) high expectations from the Buhari administration. Aware that his cabinet will be the most closely scrutinized of any recent president, perhaps Mr. Buhari has succumbed to a sort of partial paralysis or suspended animation. Of equal significance is the impression that President Buhari has yet to find an effective formula for resolving the conflicting demands and expectations of various factions within the fractious family of his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). In Nigeria and elsewhere, the disposition of ministerial posts is an instrument for rewarding various “stakeholders” who contributed, in one way or another, to a political victory. President Buhari’s unusual and bizarre string of IOUs includes real or perceived debts to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Governors Bola Tinubu and Rotimi Amaechi. Leadership involves a measure of deliberation, prudent and pragmatism. Yet, even when we allow for Mr. Buhari’s official explanation, the grand scale of public expectation, and the intractability of intra- party squabbles, one insists that the president’s snail pace is troubling. It has left some of his most fervent fans scratching their heads, scrambling for answers. In the end, it should not matter whether Mr. Jonathan cooperated with his successor’s transition team or not. Candidate Buhari presented himself as the answer, the epitome of change, as a man capable of addressing Nigeria’s perennial problems. Nigerians subsequently hired him, in a veritably historic election, to be the chief minder of their business of state. It behooves the president to find ingenious ways of doing his job without making excuses. He may well take off in the near future, and soar as a leader. For now, however, one finds no justification for his inordinate delay in achieving a goal as basic as composing a cabinet. The delinquency suggests a failure to prepare for the task ahead. And I say this as somebody who was on record as expecting little from a Buhari Presidency. I always stipulated that the singular gift that the man would bring to office was a modest lifestyle and a legacy of self-restraint in the department of material accumulation. I was certain that a country like Nigeria, deeply deformed by its elite’s greed, could use a man of Mr. Buhari’s ascetic temperament. But I was just as certain that the challenge of leading a complex country demanded more, far more, than a man who would not lose his head in the presence of lucre. That Mr. Buhari, a serial seeker of the Nigerian presidency, has squandered three months since his election, a month since his inauguration, without naming his cabinet, points, quite simply, to a level of unpreparedness. And if our brand new president is unprepared in personnel matters, how is he to tackle the weightier issues of unemployment, infrastructural dilapidation, terrorism, a shambolic healthcare system, educational crisis, and electric power woes? Which brings me to a more disquieting aspect of the fledging Presidency. Mr. Buhari’s handlers would wish to frame his disappearance from public discourse as evidence of a deliberative cast of mind. But one must ask: Is there no aspect of Nigeria’s malaise that the president has figured out a set of proposals? Is there no area where he feels the need for urgency? It’s remarkable that, in one month as president, Mr. Buhari has not laid out a single policy proposal on any of the major national issues that concern the millions who voted for him. He has not specified even the outline of what he intends to do about Nigeria’s educational system, which has been on life support for some time. He has not defined a pathway to a healthcare system worthy of the name. With the price of crude oil still relatively low, the theft of Nigerian crude at an all-time high, and crude oil exports at wishy-washy levels, Nigerians must gird themselves for a long spell of hard times. Yet, our president has not made any pronouncement about the shape of things to come. He has not cared to remind Nigerians that the days of dependable oil revenues are, possibly permanently, behind us. In the Nigerian imagination, President Buhari’s antipathy to corruption was supposed to strike fear in the hearts of past plunderers and stay the hands of current custodians of the public trust. Yet, Mr. Buhari has not revealed any strategy for combating corruption, or recovering hundreds of billions of dollars stolen by public officials, including many of his APC cohorts. I daresay that his silence on corruption is the biggest letdown, so far, of the Buhari Presidency. If care is not taken, the idea will soon gain ground that it’s business as usual, as far as corrupt practices go. In a rare soul-baring moment, President Buhari confessed that his age, 72, is an impediment to his effectiveness. It was a devastating confession, one that Nigerians had better reckon with as we re-calibrate our fantasies about the new president’s superhuman powers. Those who saw in Buhari the answer to all questions having to do with Nigeria must adjust their expectations quotient. The question is, when did Mr. Buhari realize that age would be a debilitation? If he felt that age or infirmity would hamper him, why did he present himself for office? Was he not always aware that, even for those who view the Presidency as a four-year ticket to endless jollification, the office poses arduous challenges? One has the sneaking suspicion that age may not be the sole issue here. As I proposed before the elections—and now reiterate— both the APC and the dismissed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are ideologically indistinguishable. The drama in the National Assembly, where the PDP essentially stole the APC’s thunder in determining who and who will shape Nigeria’s legislative agenda, has demonstrated this essential fact. Nigerians must hope that Mr. Buhari not been hemmed in by forces he has little power to shake. Time will tell. But this much one can claim with confidence: the first month of the Buhari Presidency has been far, far from inspiring 2 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by shakazuldadon: 8:37pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 8:39pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
www.saharareporters.com/2015/06/24/buhari's-disappearing-presidency-okey-ndibe 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Acekidc4(m): 8:40pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Abeg Make Una Leave my Presido Alone For Me Oh!! |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Young03(m): 8:43pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
ds man don suffer he don enta onechance 6 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Emekamex(m): 8:50pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
. 8 Likes 2 Shares
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Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by begod: 8:50pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Acekidc4:mumu, they can deceive all but not me, buhari is a thiefffffff. You will findout before the end of his administration. 7 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Acekidc4(m): 8:54pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
begod: Wetin Buhari steal for ya Papa house to warrant being called a Thief You are just a Fooolish Ediot and a Stupiid Son to call an innocent man a Thief!! 1 Like |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 8:58pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
It’s remarkable that, in one month as president, Mr. Buhari has not laid out a single policy proposal on any of the major national issues that concern the millions who voted for him. He has not specified even the outline of what he intends to do about Nigeria’s educational system, which has been on life support for some time. He has not defined a pathway to a healthcare system worthy of the name. With the price of crude oil still relatively low, the theft of Nigerian crude at an all-time high, and crude oil exports at wishy-washy levels, Nigerians must gird themselves for a long spell of hard times.Buhari is only occupying office. He has no clue! Nigeria is on Auto-pilot 18 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Whynotthetruth(m): 9:02pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
For now, however, one finds no justification for his inordinate delay in achieving a goal as basic as composing a cabinet. The delinquency suggests a failure to prepare for the task ahead. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by freshdude99(m): 9:06pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Acekidc4:Did I hear u say innocent man? Hmmm even the Pope goes to confession at least once a week. My point is, don't vouch for no one bros, all of them are kworupt 2 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 9:11pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Isn't it a bit too early to be criticising Mr President? One month is simply insufficient time to draw a lot of the conclusions the writer has drawn. 1 Like |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by begod: 9:12pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Acekidc4:hahahaha, what is all this your paranoid, ur heart fit catch fireoo, i said they can deceive all but not me, he is innocent abi, You will findout before the end of his administration. 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Maisuya1: 9:17pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
interesting point of view... Patience is one thing Nigerians need to have with the present administration. I watched a rebroadcast of a 2013 interview he had with DITV (in hausa) in kaduna before the formation of APC. Ardent supporters called in saying they would rather tear voters card than for baba not to be the flag bearer of the new party when it emerged and what he thought of the controversy trailing the merger talks (then in respect to APGA's). His answer was frustratingly simple; 'there is a committee with a 30 day mandate to look into the merger negotiations, lets wait for their recommendation and as for my running for presidency, if the party is formed what ever they decide is ok by me' [paraphrased]. So my take on this is that Buhari is just being Buhari. This 1984 article below will tell you Buhari hasn't changed one bit; LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 18, 1984— Nigeria's new leader, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Buhari, swore in the members of his Cabinet today, warning them that the ruling Supreme Military Council ''will keep a keen and watchful eye on your performance, your style of life and general public conduct while in office.''http://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/19/world/cabinet-in-nigeria-installed-with-a-warning.html 1 Like |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by importexpert(m): 9:19pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
buhari's lessthan a month is already equating jonah's 1yr |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Whynotthetruth(m): 9:20pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
ROSSIKE: Not true...It is 12years since he's being vying for presidency...Its more than 3months since being declared winner...Yet NOT a single policy or cabinet or anything to show...it only means that he wasn't any prepared or ready...he was simply a noisemaker intoxicated by urge for power. 10 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Whynotthetruth(m): 9:22pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
importexpert: From which planet did you fall from plz 3 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Ezenwammadu(m): 9:22pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
importexpert: 9 Likes 1 Share
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Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Whynotthetruth(m): 9:24pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
masterchi: Abeg learn to arrange your posts for ease of reading and aesthetics...Be Organized... |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by begod: 9:27pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
ROSSIKE:u don't understand, i said all i saying now even before (he was voted to power?)because i m an astrologer, i forsee what will happen in this administration as soon as i see a SAGGITARIUS going for presidency( buhari is a saggitarius, he born on 17th December, on the ninth house of ZODIAC ) |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by begod: 9:37pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
importexpert:i m an astrologer, jonathan is a scopio and buhari is a saggitarius, i foresee unspeakable error in leadership because he will not give thought to his actions, |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by pazienza(m): 9:57pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Is there no area where he feels the need for urgency? Good question. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by nigerianvenom(m): 10:06pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Buhari will regret his second coming. Already he is a calamity to nigerians. Kidnapping on the rise, boko haram fortifying more n more, oil bin price as if its okirika clothes,. So many things are going wrong 2 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by dealslip(f): 10:09pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
barcanista: wa gbayi Barcanista! (You will be crowned with honour). That man just enjoys been president that is all I see in his conduct, he is yet to catch up with the concept of a modern Nigeria. His APC family member have been engaging themselves in a free for all and he has not deemed it fit to interfere, he pretends he doesn't want to interfere but it seems the truth is that, he doesn't know what to do as he has not played politics in a while. 5 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 10:19pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
dealslip:hahaha@Dealslip thanks for your prayers and more to you. Baba is enjoying a perfect retirement in Aso rock. He isn't concerned with the APC troubles or even Nigeria troubles. 4 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by fitzmayowa: 10:22pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
SR serving PMB what they served GEJ during his regime, the writer indeed hit the nail on the head... PMB vied for the position for 12years so in all those years of campaigning and politicking he couldn't get the so called competent and honest nigerians he his searching for now Or how hard is it to get 19 competent and honest nigerians to man the 19 ministerial slots I guess PMB was never ready for the task ahead with his action and inactions as stated by the writer...IMHO 2 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by bosedekemi(f): 10:28pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Buhari one chance we in a big almighty mess. The dullard is failing... 1 Like |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by vivalavida(m): 10:40pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
dealslip: Chai!!! This dude is mouthed 2 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Nobody: 11:00pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
vivalavida:she's a lady 1 Like |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by GreatSoul: 11:43pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Of a truth, going by this article, PMB and his style have not changed a bit since 1984 and this is worrisome. Really worrisome because he of all people should always remember how things ended up for him in 1984. Bearing in mind all that is at stake, my prayer is that if he is going to fail, he should fail so spectacularly in his 1st 100 days, that way, we will all be forced back to the drawing table to chart a proper course for this country. It is kinder for this to happen than for him to use the next 4yrs to fail as that will be too hefty a punishment for us all. 4 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by Bifwoli: 11:55pm On Jun 24, 2015 |
Buhari is a big fraud who squeeked thru to Aso Rock by false misrepresentation,outright lies and exploiting the gullibility of northerners. Nigeria will live to regret big time. 3 Likes |
Re: Buhari's Disappearing Presidency By Okey Ndibe by omenka(m): 12:09am On Jun 25, 2015 |
They are here commenting on an article from SR and none so far has called the newspaper the usual names they call them because the publication suits their bigoted minds. Sheer hypocrites I hear someone say. One was even naïve enough to quote a portion of the article highlighting some part that states the comatose nature of the educational system "for sometime now", not knowing the statement is a direct indictment on the immediate past president he so viciously defends as the best thing that ever happened to this country. Well, one of those things Jonathan bequeathed on the nation apparently is a collapsed educational sector. As for Ndibe, most of his articles make a lot of sense, but on this one, I think it's a tad bit too early to draw daggers. Dude is barely a month in office. Regardless, Jonathan was NEVER an option. That is a FACT. 1 Like |
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