Bienvenu Buhari
too would be lamenting. No, it’s not done!
Late Oronto Douglas, one of Jonathan’s closest aides, was like a brother to me. But we argued often over Jonathan’s stewardship, and he always made the point that the press was too hard on the president. He was saddened that Jonathan was not getting enough credit for the progress recorded in many sectors of the economy under his watch – particularly in the production of rice and cotton, water resources, rehabilitation and construction of federal roads as well as the signing of legacy laws such as the Freedom of Information Act and Disability Act. I could understand Oronto’s frustrations, but the Nigerian private press has never been pro-government since 1859.
As we now wave “goodbye” to Jonathan, no doubt he would be wishing in his heart of heart that Nigerians would remember the good things about him, not just his failings. I can assure him that those who will remember him for good will always do – and those who never fancied him are not about to change their minds. While I believe he did many good things, it is also glaring that his more pronounced failings ultimately undermined him. I think there were many things he could have done much better, and in moments of introspection, he would wish he had sought better counsel and chosen a different path. That is history now.
But Jonathan can also take solace in the fact that some leaders are only appreciated after they are gone. Buhari himself was vilified and savaged until he was overthrown in 1985, but many Nigerians have come to agree that he was on to something and could have changed Nigeria fundamentally if he had been allowed to continue with his mission. President Olusegun Obasanjo was battered in the media from 1999 to 2007, but today he is many people’s hero and their moral authority. When you review what certain prominent Nigerians used to say about Obasanjo and what they are saying about the same man today, then you know there is hope for Jonathan.
And as we say “welcome” to Buhari, I need not remind him that Aso Rock is the hottest residence in Nigeria. It is one place where you will be sweating even with all ACs switched on. There are tough decisions waiting on his desk – decisions about electricity and fuel subsidies, a bloated public service, crushing overheads and fighting corruption without being accused of highhandedness or using kid gloves. Managing a country where everybody is a renowned expert on good governance is no child’s play. There are wild expectations that he can turn stone to bread. The PDP, wounded and humiliated, will be full of vengeance: Buhari should expect a full dose of media war.
Nigeria’s power politics is very complex. Buhari could find his early decisions and appointments being analysed along ethnic and religious lines. That is the way we are. Obasanjo was accused of implementing “Afenifere agenda” in his early days. Jonathan was accused of stalling the dredging of River Niger when he became acting president. Buhari should prepare for his own baptism of fire. But having won the presidential election on the basis of his integrity, he has the moral capital to inspire the birth of a new thinking in us. As complex as we are in Nigeria, we are not impossible to lead – as long as we can see the sincerity of purpose in our leaders.
Welcome on board, Mai Gaskiya. The media office of the president-elect says he should be addressed simply as Muhammadu Buhari. The idea is that as a civilian president, he should drop his military title, Major General. In 1999, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo settled for “Chief”. Ordinarily, we should be able to address Buhari as “Alhaji” or “Malam” but I notice an attempt to avoid a religious title. What about “Mr” then? Well, typical Nigerian mentality thinks a “whole president” shouldn’t be called “Mr”. “President Buhari” will certainly be the most common, but we will run into problem saying: “The President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari...” Clumsy. And so, here we are again talking about no fuel and no electricity. Nigerians are practically living in hell. Oil marketers are not keen on importing fuel because it is now classified as a “political risk” by banks. And despite an installed power generation capacity of nearly 8,000mw, Nigerians are living in pitch darkness because of yet another gas crisis. We are now generating less than 2,000mw! These crippling crises have made sure President Goodluck Jonathan will not be leaving on a high. No wonder many angry and disillusioned Nigerians regard PDP’s 16-year rule as a waste. Sad.