How Can President Buhari Best Silence His Critics?
Barely three months after emerging as the leader of Africa’s largest economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has faced varying degrees of both commendation and condemnation, with the latter group accusing the retired military General of different things, ranging from bias to nepotism to partisanship to slow speed to ignorance of modern day governance. However, he appears undeterred in his struggle to make Nigeria a better place. In your
informed view, how can the President best silence his critics?
* Criticism strengthens democracy; you cannot silence critics if you want the system to grow. The result of the Kogi APC primaries has shown that the President is not interfering with partisan politics. Moreso, should we trade competence for federal character? His critics will best be silenced when he appoints competent ministers. - Mr. Joshua Peter Amba, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna
* Buhari should dump all forms of sentiments (including that of his political party) and see all Nigerians as his constituency, and as a father of the nation. Also, he should try his best to remember the National Assembly in all his doings, and follow the rule of law. Lastly, if he is serious in the fight against corruption, he should probe all governments starting from 1999. - Mr. Sunday Okobi, Lagos
* He should “drive the car” as promised and do it better than the past administration. Nigeria has been at a standstill for too long and this is clearly affecting all areas of our national development. - Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos
* His approach to corruption should be holistic. Communities should be subject to the governing authority; by that, we will eradicate injustice here and there by some self-centred cabals, with good laws for the land. If God means this government to be good for this society and not bad, and we recognise that political positions or offices are God-sent, then they should be supported to enable them achieve that good. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* He can’t silence them; this is democracy era, and he should not be discouraged or distracted but be guided and have respect for the rule of laws. If critics are either supporting the governance process positively or wrongly that does not stop him from executing the good policies he has for Nigeria. - Mr. Obademi Joel, Undergraduate student, NOUN, Apapa, Lagos * The sure way is to remain unblemished and focus on his campaign promises. So much has been said about the lopsidedness of his appointments and the slow pace of his decisions. No one has been able to write that the appointees are not Nigerians or they are corrupt people. The reality on ground shows that Nigeria is no longer going in the wrong direction. We may still be far from the Promised Land but with fear of Buhari in every sector of the economy we will surely see light at the end of the tunnel. - Mr. Kunle Osungbesan, Banker, Lagos
* Perform and stop talking. He should allow his performance speak for him. Too much talk and little progress is being made at the moment. - Mr. Utibe Robert Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
* Performance, performance and performance. Concentrate on delivering the best value for the greater percentage of Nigerians irrespective of where they live or what God they worship or what tribe they associate with. Nigerians are impatient and we need the government to properly articulate its roadmap for the future so that the entire country can know what lies ahead. The government should also shun propaganda and sensationalism and deal honestly with Nigerians. - Mr. Rotimi Olawale, Abuja
* A lot of people are looking for mistakes in president Buhari’s government. There’s nothing good the president will do that these critics will acknowledge. Even when it is obvious that the president is performing beyond the expectations of Nigerians, this set of people will rather look for areas where the president is yet to achieve results than give him credit in the areas where results have been achieved. The best way to make them keep quiet is to make policies that are goal and result-oriented.
- Mr. Tolu Kasali, Lagos
* By achieving 50 per cent of his political promises. - Mr. Amwe Habu Anche, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna State
* From his past antecedents, it is easy to see what his mindset is. For example, three of the nation’s refineries were built under his watch as Petroleum minister in the late 70s. Some may think nothing is happening, but he is probably saving money to start economy-changing infrastructure development with speed and without borrowing. Regarding political appointments, let the entire appointments come out first. On performance, we are judging him too early; give him a year first. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* He should let his attitude to appointment, performance, and deliverables reflect that ‘he is for nobody but for everybody’. Also he should start construction or reconstruction of roads, provision of jobs for the youth, empowerment of the widows and old people; then his critics will be silenced. - Mr. Olanrewaju Akosile, Lagos
* PMB should silently fish out looters, retrieve the stolen money, and punish the criminals who are worse than armed robbers. Left to me, let him use the whole of his first term to recover our stolen wealth. Indeed, there is no development that is greater than this. If these cabals are caged, PMB wouldn’t campaign for his second term as Nigerians will do all for him. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* To silence his critics, PMB must continue to remain steadfast, focused and consolidate positively on the dividends of democracy made so far. He must ignore all the critics and their pull-him-down syndrome and avoid distractions, but hold unto ideas that will take us to the next level. Already there is general improvement across board. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos
* PMB is focusing on delivering the dividends of democracy Nigerians voted for, despite what people are saying about the slow pace of his administration. He is working with the little resources he met in office. His shadow has put so many corrupted Nigerians into fear of going to jail for looting funds meant for citizens’ wellbeing. We must pray for PMB to deliver because if Nigeria is good tomorrow is for everybody. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* He should just keep on doing the right things without losing focus in bringing about positive changes in all sectors. - Mrs. Oluwayemisi Ogunniyi, Ipaja, Lagos
* PMB must continue to consolidate on his achievements to reach or surpass our targets in this dispensation and beyond. Criticisms are the thorny stepping stones to progress, especially under democracy. But mischievous negative critics must be left in their unnecessary diversions and tantrums as they prefer to see the nation under bondage. God bless our good leaders. - Ms. Saiki Ometere Saiki, Gboko, Benue State
* The end justifies the means, if the president’s decisions eventually turn out to be effective, meeting the needs of Nigerians and bringing about desired positive changes.
- Mr. Sola Ogundele, Lagos State