The Buhari Presidency Two weeks after May 29

 

Following his triumph at the March 28, 2015 elections, President Muhammadu Buhari’s has consistently commented on the huge burden of expectations from Nigerians who are hungry for change. Although his administration is just two weeks old, it has already come under criticism over the pace at which the components of the new regime are being put together. In this piece, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, Sunday Oguntola and Edozie Udeze review the actions and inactions of Buhari’s first two weeks in office.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who has barely been on the seat for two weeks, is already being criticised for not “hitting the ground running” – whatever the clichéd phrase connotes.

While those who express disappointment with the pace of his new administration demand concrete change from the very first day, other informed observers counter that governance of a country like Nigeria, at a time like this, demands care and diligence. Widow of the late activist lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mrs. Ganiat Fawehinmi, summed up this later view when she told The Nation at the weekend that “the task of turning around Nigeria requires more brain than brawn.”

Also, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in his reaction to the charges, told this newspaper that the president has shown enough determination to deliver on his campaign promises.

Our checks as at yesterday indicate that since his inauguration as President, Buhari has taken certain steps and actions that confirm what the priorities of his government would be.

On appointment of his team

It is on record that within the first two weeks of his presidency, Buhari appointed three key aides, two of whom are his senior media advisers, and a protocol staff. He also sent the list of 15 Special Advisers to the Senate for approval.

Though many acknowledge that he needed these key officials to kick start his administration, critics insist he should have named his entire cabinet within these first two weeks.

But Buhari is not the only Nigerian president since 1999 that did not name his cabinet within two weeks. It took over a month for most of his predecessors since 1999 to name their ministers. His immediate successor, former President Goodluck Jonathan for example, sent the letter containing a list of his cabinet nominees to the National Assembly on July 27, 2011, one month after his inauguration. It was not until mid July that the cabinet was finally unveiled.

A close associate of Buhari, who spoke on a condition of anonymity, said in the case of the new man at the helm, there is need for caution before choosing the team. “The President would not want to make any mistake. We all know the high expectations and besides, the political party that produced this president is a coalition of four political tendencies. This was not exactly the case with the political party that produced the other presidents you are comparing Buhari with. He is conscious that these political tendencies must be taken into consideration before choosing a team. Have you forgotten that when he wanted to choose a running mate, it took time? Critics talked but he took his time and by the time he made the choice, everybody agreed it was the right choice. That is what is happening. He is not being unnecessarily slow.”

Security, corruption and economic

challenges

Besides appointment of his team, another area Buhari has received criticism over is in delivery of his campaign promises. Though his critics said he is yet to ‘hit the ground running’ in the delivery of his campaign promises, it is on record that in the first two weeks of his administration, the president has taken certain steps that confirm his determination to tackle security, corruption and economic challenges.

Within the two weeks, Buhari made three foreign trips strategic to solving most of the major challenges he promised to tackle. They included the shuttle to Niger and Chad as well as the G-7 meeting in Germany over the country’s economic and security challenges. The trip this weekend to South Africa for the AU Summit is also in furtherance of those goals.

Before heading to the AU meeting, the president met in Abuja with leaders of countries comprising the Chad Basin Commission – Niger, Cameroon and Benin – whose forces are involved a multinational efforts to crush the Boko Haram insurgency. One of the fruits of that summits was the agreement that Nigeria – at the insistence of Buhari – would provide the commander of the multinational force on a permanent basis.

Besides these foreign trips, Buhari has met with security chiefs at least twice also on the issue of security. He has also made some confidential utterances and given directives that have led to the secret return of millions of dollars of stolen Nigerian funds. These are some of the concrete steps he has taken even before the formal inauguration of the 8th National Assembly necessary for the formal take-off of his administration.

While some acknowledge these steps as steps in the right direction, others who spoke to The Nation team say his pace is yet to match the people’s expectations. The opinions differ sharply:

Don Etiebet

‘President is on course’

Former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet says President Muhammadu Buhari is on course.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is a very meticulous person who doesn’t like to make mistakes. He likes to do things properly so that when he starts, it will be go-go for him.

For example, on Boko Haram, he has hit the grounds running in such a way that even those sponsoring the sect should already be developing goose pimples.

On the National Assembly, I believe what has happened is very commendable. You see Nigeria is a very complex nation and you have to carry everyone along. If you don’t, the nation can break. With what happened, you realise that all the six geo-political zones have been accommodated.

It is only the South-South that is yet to get something and I’m sure it will get a plum appointment soon. We shouldn’t have a situation where the President thinks he is only for those who elected him or those who helped him to power.

We shouldn’t have a winner-takes-it-all attitude. You should show magnanimity after you have won and accommodate others. It should not be a party-take-it-all. So, for me, the President is on course. When he eventually comes up with his ministerial list, I am sure it will be the best we can have at this time in the nation.”

Femi Aborishade

‘I am disappointed’

Human rights crusader and social critic, Femi Aborishade says he is disappointed in the first two weeks of Buhari’s administration.

“I will say that I am disappointed in several ways. For God’s sake, it’s been two weeks and one expects to have started feeling the impact of change the President promised us.

The only good thing he has demonstrated is commitment to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency. Nobody can take that away from him. Nobody doubts that he means business and is set to flush the terrorists out of the country. How far he can go however remains to be seen.

But on other areas, I expected much more. In the first place, I expected him to have tackled the fuel crisis. This crisis started before he came on board and Nigerians were hoping that once he assumes power, he would tackle the crisis headlong. It’s been two weeks and the crisis is biting harder. Is it because people are not protesting? If it were to be in other places, people should have been on the roads by now.

Unfortunately, the President has not done anything about the crisis. He has not even said a word about it. As far as Nigerians are concerned, it is as if we don’t have a government in place yet on the fuel issue.

Secondly, the President promised to publicly declare his assets but unfortunately, he opted to do it secretly. That is against what he promised us. He even went as far as saying all the ministers-to-be would have to declare their assets to be considered for positions. Why did he declare secretly?

I believe the explanation that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) will later declare the assets after verification is an afterthought. Verification is not even a constitutional requirement. The President should have done the declaration openly, just like former President Musa Yar’Adua did.

It appears the hopes of Nigerians in the first two weeks are being dashed. He has not lived up to the high expectations of Nigerians.

Eseme Eyiboh

‘So far, so good’

For the former spokesman of the House of Representatives, Eseme Eyiboh, Buhari has been able to demonstrate independent-mindedness, strong character and personal integrity in governance.

“First, let me say that you cannot properly assess a President in just two weeks. In his inaugural speech, he also told us the parameters to measure him by saying he is for everybody and he is not for somebody.

But to me, it’s been so far, so good. Look at how he handled the emergence of National Assembly leadership. By detaching himself, the President has shown his commitment to the enthronement of the principle of separation of powers. It is certain this President is committed to equity and fairness.

I don’t believe he is slow as many are alleging. What he is doing is strategic recruitment of leaders or leadership recruitment process. The President needs time to deliver and he is on track.

Those who are clamouring for ministerial list are those used to running Nigeria as a franchise where they can always have a buffet. He needs time to collate and assess the people who will work in his cabinet.

For me, the President has been able to demonstrate independent-mindedness, strong character and personal integrity in governance. It is this personal integrity that will lead to institutional integrity.”

Chinwoke Mbadinuju

Slow and steady wins

 the race’

Former governor of Anambra State, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, told The Nation that Buhari’s seeming slow pace should not be misconstrued to be a weakness on the part of Buhari.

“It is a well known fact that most politicians would say what they want to say in this present circumstance. But those of us who have been following Buhari’s political antecedents can easily say that he has done well within these few weeks. The evidence is there for all to see. Buhari has been talking about change which he has today brought to bear in what he has been able to do as the President. His slogan has been change and to all intents and purposes that change has finally come.

Anyone who says there is no change or that the political situation does not point to that direction is not only an opponent but does not want the change that these few weeks have ushered into the system. This is indeed a turning point in the political history of the country, a reality that is there for all to see.

From West to East and North, people have been rating him high and no one can now say he is not capable of handling the affairs of the nation. Whoever says to the contrary does not indeed believe in the truth. As the people talk positively about him, they should watch him go so that he does not make mistakes; so that people would eventually gain from his political wisdom and leadership acumen. He is an astute leader and that is what he has shown so far in the affairs of the nation.

President Buhari is not in any way slow. If he rushes, he may make mistakes and his opponents will be the first to attack him. It is usually said that slow and steady wins the race and that is his wise approach to it all.”

Jimi Solanke

He wants to thread softly

Veteran artiste, Jimi Solanke, said he believes Buhari is only being careful so as to get things right.

“I will tell you one thing. I cannot blame him or procrastinate on what he has done so far. We all shouted sai baba, sai baba and that he has not done anything now. But I think he is trying to get it right with his political caucuses. I believe he wants to thread softly and to me he should not be involved in all these things party members are doing. He has promised us change and therefore he should be involved in change. Even in his choice of ministers and those to work with him, he should be seen to be involved in change. That is exactly what Nigerians expect.”

Chijioke Uwasomba

He has not hit the

ground running yet

Senior lecturer, OAU, Chijioke Uwasomba, says the expectations of Nigerians are high and that Buhari is yet to move with the pace that matches with the peoples’ expectations.

“The expectations are high because of the near collapse of the economy and the total destruction of national values and ethos by the previous government. Personally, I expect a new turnaround of the fortunes of Nigerians in all spheres of life. This is why Nigerians seem to be impatient with him and his administration in the last few days.

He has not hit the ground running yet. One expected that by now the new shape of things would have started unfolding. He must be in a hurry because Nigerians voted for a change and Buhari enjoys huge support from the international community. He appeared too aloof in the politics of the leadership of the National Assembly. He is the leader of the party. And so he must use his influence to hold the party together, otherwise, the party becomes another rally like the defeated PDP.

With the way things are going, it looks like there is no difference between the PDP and APC.

The collusion between the Saraki group and the PDP shows that the APC harbours all kinds of undisciplined and indecent characters. The Dino Melayes of this world don’t have the temperament and ideological solidity to be in APC if the party is truly driven by a progressive ideology.”

Garba Shehu

“He’s shown determination

to fulfill electoral promises”

To the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President has so far shown his determination to fulfill his electoral promises to Nigerians. The Presidential Media aide told The Nation that the President’s actions in the last two weeks are all geared towards delivering on his promises.

He contended that the administration is just coming on board and was still in the procedure of setting out suitable modalities on how to actualise its plan of restoring Nigeria as contained in the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress.

Citing an example of an action of the President that is of great benefit to the country, Shehu recalled Buhari’s recent visit to Germany during the G7 Summit. He explained that the trip holds a lot of promises for the country.

“Mr. President was invited to that meeting even before he was sworn in. The invitation was a clear indication of the international community’s willingness to cooperate with the new government of Nigeria. Although President Buhari did not participate in the main meetings since Nigeria is not a member of the G7 group, the trip afforded him the opportunity of holding key side meetings with some of the seven heads of state who will be convened at the summit.

“He is in a group of seven other heads of State who were called in as guests. The side meetings with some of the seven heads of state who convened at the summit yielded great dividends. I can assure you that we will soon begin to see some of these results.

Aside our gains as a nation, the invitation is also a sign that the international community is obviously acknowledging Nigeria’s significant role in global affairs, especially with the recent change in government,” he said.

He added that the president would do all within his powers to guarantee that Nigerians would not regret entrusting him with national responsibility by electing him during the March 28 presidential poll.

“This government is capable of and willing to fix the nation’s problems. Nigerians will not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to President Buhari. Sure, the tasks are daunting but they are by no means insurmountable.”

Ganiat Fawehinmi

He is on the right track

Widow of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Ganiat Fawehinmi, is of the opinion that so far, President Buhari is on the right track. According to the activist while speaking with The Nation at the home of late Chief M.K.O Abiola on Friday, the task of turning around Nigeria requires more brain than brawn, and as such, Nigerians should exercise patience and allow the President time to tackle the many issues facing the country.

Mrs. Fawehinmi, who commended the general for his perseverance and tenacity of purpose, said she was hopeful that his administration would offer Nigerians the much needed change they desire.

She however expressed optimism that with “With the directive he gave when he assumed office, there is hope that the dreaded Boko Haram sect and other security challenges which have continued to become a nightmare for the outgoing government and previous administration before now may soon become a thing of the past.

While I urge us all to continue to pray for Buhari, I want to beg Mr. President to pursue the security with much vigour that will ensure the eventual release of the Chibok girls who have been under the captivity of the sect for almost a year ago.

Even though the outgoing administration had left the economy in state of ruins, there is a high level of optimism that this administration will reenact the enviable feats that characterised his tenure as head of state 21 years ago,” she said.

Maxi Okwu

‘I am not impressed’

Chief Maxi Okwu, former presidential candidate and current National Chairman of a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), told The Nation that he is not impressed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance in the first two weeks of his administration.

Asked to assess the president’s performance in the first two weeks, Okwu retorted, “I am not impressed because he did not hit the ground running as expected. I thought by now he would have named his core team. By now, he should have at least named his Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the new National Security Adviser, etc. It is strange that two weeks after his inauguration, he has not only named his ministers but has also not appointed his advisers. It is not enough to appoint media aides and a protocol officer.

I am also not satisfied with his failure to address the issue of making clear cut policy directives of his government known. Yes, he travelled to Chad and met with Cameroon and he traveled to Germany for the G7 meeting. He went to Chad to seek assistance on the critical issue of Boko Haram. He also went to Germany to seek assistance on the critical issue of economy. But besides seeking assistance and besides the broad references made in the inaugural speech, what is the clear policy directive of this government on these critical areas? What of oil subsidy? I am not impressed so far.

On Buhari’s handling of the politics of National Assembly leadership election and how the President should handle the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dokora’s emergence as Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives, where the ruling party’s choices for the leadership of both chambers lost out in a delicate political intrigue, Okwu said, “my worry is that Mr President won the election on the platform of a political party. As the president, you can’t say you are not interested in who leads the National Assembly. You can’t play Pontius Pilate in this matter.

On the way forward, I think APC is in a dire circumstance. There are two extremes available to it. In one extreme is to discipline the party members who disobeyed the directives of the party. At the other extreme is the option of allowing the rebels to go scot free. Either way is dangerous for APC. But if I were APC, I will opt for the option of giving them appropriate discipline. For a party to command respect, it must be ready to bite when it becomes necessary. It is however left for APC.”

Adeyemi Ikuforiji

‘Buhari has hit the ground

running’

Former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said two weeks is too short to asses any government because governance is not as easy as people think. However, he is of the opinion that President Buhari has hit the ground running since taking office last month. He said the new government will change the country for the better soon.

“I urge the citizens to be patient and prepare for positive change. Now that the progressives are in control of the administration, I am sure of positive change in all sectors. Governance is not as easy as people think. But in my opinion, the President understands the task ahead and he has hit the ground running immediately he took office,” he said.

On how best he thinks Buhari should handle the NASS crisis, the former Speaker would rather have the President steer clear of the issue.

“It is none of his business if you ask me. He is the head of the executive arm of government and the national assembly is the legislature. He has no business worrying his head over that. He should concentrate on delivering on his electoral promises,” he quipped.

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