Buhari’s One Year In Office: When Will He Visit The South East?

By Citizen Samuelson Ikenna
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One year in office of any government or leadership is the time to assess the performance, efficiency, effectiveness and sincerity of that administration. It is the time the governed take a holistic look at the policies of government, as it affects them either positively or negatively. It is indeed a period of stock taking.

The leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari will on the 29th of May 2016 mark her one year in office. Nigerians are already assessing and evaluating the performance of the present government, depending on which divide the evaluator belongs.

Those who belong to the ruling party are giving the leadership a pass mark or thumbs-up, while those in the opposition are giving the Buhari leadership some knocks. Opposition is truly the beauty of democracy. As a socio-political crusader whose calling it is to ensure fairness, equity, equal distribution of democracy dividends and indeed better leadership, I have stepped out once again to join my fellow Nigerians to weigh the Buhari leadership on the scale, for proper assessment.

It is therefore expected that through this assessment, the governed will appreciate their President for his efforts to reposition the country, and also for Mr. President to accept the bitter truth and turn a new leaf. I am not here to throw stones at my President.

As a lion of truth, I am only here to open the minds of the reading public. I will therefore take on the Buhari leadership in the following areas:

1. War Against Corruption
2. Education
3. Agriculture
4. Youth Restiveness
5. Unguarded Statements
6. Hatred for South-East
7. Security Agencies as attack dogs
1. WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION:
President Buhari on assumption of office declared total war against corruption. This is a welcome development. Anybody who criticizes the current war against corruption should be seen as equally corrupt. So far, a lot of rots have been unmasked or exposed: and Nigerians are shocked to their bone marrows, on how elected and appointed political leaders have looted our common patrimony.

President Buhari should be encouraged to go the whole length in dealing ruthlessly with these shameless people who have looted our resources, and there should be no sentiments. Funds recovered (now in trillions of naira) should be used to revamp our ailing oil and Agric industry. In as much as the War against corruption is on-course, and we are applauding our President for his courage, it appears this war is one sided and “ethinized”. What do I mean? 95% of those facing corruption charges are members of the opposition, while members of the ruling party who have been (or were) indicted for corruption are treated with kid gloves.

For example, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past governor of Rivers State was indicted for corruption by the Nyesom Wike Administration in Rivers State. Rather than effect his arrest and trial, President Buhari (despite having a copy of the indictment document) announced the same Amaechi as one of his ministers.

Again, of all the people facing charges of corruption at the law courts, only those from the South Eastern part of this country appear in hand cuffs (Chief Olisa Metuh). My take here is that the war against corruption should be decisive, ruthless and very sincere. It should not be one sided.

2. EDUCATION:
The education sector has suffered untold neglect in the past one year, such that its standard has further fallen to an abysmal level. Today, 60% of our graduates do not know how to write ordinary official letter. Our graduates can’t even defend their certificates. Majority of them can’t function optimally in any corporate organization. Big thanks to their poor quality education, giving that 95% of Public schools in Nigeria are in deplorable and dilapidated condition. How then can our children learn in such environment and we expect them to come out in flying colours? President Buhari should rise to the occasion.

He should have a better blue print for the education sector. 3. AGRICULTURE: Agriculture is the main stay of any economy, unfortunately for us Nigerians, our over dependence on oil for our National survival has so blind-folded us that we have forgotten all about agriculture. The Buhari leadership has not helped matters at all. Instead of encouraging farmers in the country through people-oriented policies that would see to the mass production of foods and other agricultural products, what we see is government alleged aloofness in the Agric-sector.

Today, the prices of food stuffs have gone up beyond the reach of the common man in this country. A bag of (toll rope) Garri that was sold for N9,800 in May 2015, is today sold at N20,000. A big tuber of Yam that was sold for N400 in May 2015, is today sold at N800. A bag of Iron beans that was sold for N12,000 in May 2015, is today sold at N25,000. A bag of Rice that was sold for N11,500 in May 2015, is today sold at N20,000, etc. Yet, the salaries of civil servants have remained static.

Rather than seeking ways to boost crop production in this country, what we notice is the alleged instigation of Fulani herdsmen to attack farmlands in the North-Central region, South-South region, South-West region and South-East region of this country with their cattles. And these attacks have always resulted to conflicts with farmers, who are now too afraid to return to their farms.

This is the major reason why we have scarcity of food in this country. Honestly, grazing on Peoples farmlands by Fulani herdsmen has greatly affected food supply in this country; hence the high cost of food. 4. YOUTH RESTIVENESS: This is another area that has made life more miserable for Nigerians in the last one year. It should be appreciated that Militancy was practically dead in the Niger Delta region, due to the ingenuity of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration in initiating and implementing the Amnesty Programme for militants in the region.

This programme was continued by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. But in the last one year, militancy has returned; perhaps due to the “unwillingness” of the present government to continue with the programme. Also, it should be noted that Armed Robbery, kidnapping, 419 activities etc have returned full scale in the country perhaps due to governments inability to come out with a clear policy that would assist the youths to be fully engaged in genuine economic activities devoid of crime.

Even the so called N5000 for each unemployed youth is yet to be implemented by the Buhari leadership. The situation facing us in this country is such that with poor quality education and no jobs, our youths tend to embrace crime with open arms. This has rapidly increased in the last one year.

5. UNGUARDED STATEMENTS:
The office of the President is a sacred office. The occupier of that office should be seen as the symbol of unity and togetherness in this country. Any statement that oozes from the President’s mouth is therefore taken seriously. In the last one year, President Buhari has made several “un-statesmanly” statements that have continued to threaten the unity of this country. And there are several instances. It is wrong and “un-statesmanly” for President Buhari to tell us that he would consider only those who gave him 95% votes far more than those who gave him 5% votes.

It is wrong and “un-statesmanly” for President Buhari to tell us that Citizen Nnamdi Kanu and Col. Dasuki would not be released despite the fact that they were severally granted bail and their bail conditions fulfilled. At this point, let me advice media aides of Mr. President to always ensure that their boss is well “prepared” whenever he is to face the public.

Buhari’s many unguarded statements have truly become embarrassments to us Nigerians. Such statements as “Nigerians are rogues”, “Nigerians are criminals”, “Nigeria is completely broke”, “I always come into power when the country is broke”, “Nnamdi Kanu will not be released despite being granted bail”, “Biafra must be crushed” etc, does not in any way project or portray President Buhari as a sensible and responsible leader. 6. HATRED FOR SOUTH EAST: To state that President Buhari hates the people of South-East is an understatement.

He truly hates them with passion. He is daily proving that the South East is not part of this country, Nigeria. I have the following proofs to back up my claim: (A) President Buhari has visited other Geo-political zones in this country in the last one year, but has refused to visit any state in the South East. And I am asking, why? O yes Buhari has refused to visit Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Abia and Ebonyi States, either to commission projects or to promise basic infrastructures to the people of South East. Even when his wife was officially invited to Imo State sometime last year, the vice-President’s wife was sent to represent the first lady.

(B) Of all the people in Nigeria being prosecuted and perhaps persecuted by Buhari led Federal Government, only those from South-East appear in hand-cuffs.

(C) The South East region has the least representation in Federal appointments.

(D) The South East region has no single representation at the Security Council meeting.

(E) When the Fulani herdsmen (Buhari’s brothers) slaughtered a whole community (Nimbo community) in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State on the 25th of April 2016, President Buhari refused to visit Enugu State to condole with the victim’s family and indeed the Governor of Enugu State.

(F) Major Federal appointments held by people from South-East have been annulled by President Buhari. He sacked and replaced them with his Northern brothers.

(G) And so on and so forth. It is therefore necessary that President Buhari sees this bitter truth about his one year administration, and do the required adjustments. He must turn a new leaf. Majority of Nigerians are not happy with him and his style of governance. He should see all Nigerians as his children. He should see every part of Nigeria as his constituency.

In fact, Buhari should see the militants in the Niger-Delta region as his children who are angry with his style of leadership. He must call them and talk to them. Afterall, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was a Fulani man, yet he sent a Presidential Jet to bring his children in the Niger-Delta region to Aso-Rock.

He had sincere, genuine and fruitful discussions with them. Thereafter, the militants whole-heartedly dropped their arms. Conversely, Buhari should come down from his high horse. He should follow the same road map. This is what leadership is all about. After all, our Lord Jesus Christ bent down and washed the feet of his disciples. If Buhari continues to show that he is a hard man, then the Niger Delta militants will continue to embarrass him and his government by bombing and destroying oil facilities.

Again, Buhari should see Citizen Nnamdi Kanu as his son. The young man has suffered enough and should be released on compassionate ground. Nigerians are talking, Nigerians are reacting, and Nigerians are agitating. Nigerians want Buhari to turn a new leaf, hence this bitter truth. Even Professor Tam David-West (a Buhari fanatic) is not happy with Buhari’s style of leadership. But if Buhari continues to behave as EZE ONYEAGWALAM, then we will have no alternative than to continue to shout EZE ONYEACHILA ANYI. Coming nearer home, if Buhari continues to treat the people of South East with disdain, the resultant effect will be total rejection of his leadership and his political party.

Already, my good friend Governor Rochas Okorocha, (the only sign post of APC in South East and chairman APC Governors’ forum) has openly expressed his frustration by telling the whole world that APC is mismanaging its victory. Conversely, come 2019 the people of South East will come out in their numbers to tell Buhari “Enough is Enough!” Nevertheless, President Buhari has ample time to make amends.

He should visit South East. He should convince the people that he has indeed turned a new leaf. President Buhari, “NAKWA ECHEKI” I rest my Pen.

Signed: Citizen (Dr) Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
Former Senior Special Assistant on Media
Former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties
Imo State House of Assembly Owerri-Imo State, Nigeria.

28th May, 2016. 07032934037 Forwarded to over 3.8 million E-mail Addresses worldwide. Please follow me on Facebook @ Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

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