Putting the President’s New Year Message in Perspective.

On January 1, 2020, President Muhammed Buhari presented the traditional New Year message to the nation in which he reeled out what he has done in the past years and what he intends to do this year and the remaining three years of his tenure. He capped it up with an assurance to the nation that he will not be available for political leadership in 2023 and beyond. This could perhaps put to rest the speculation of the third term agenda in the public domain.

While we concede to Mr. President, the right to blow his trumpet, howbeit overblown in matters of security, diversification of the economy, and corruption as he claimed; we make bold to declare that Nigerians should take this declaration by the president with a pinch of salt and know that there is no guarantee that it will be an uhuru if the government’s mindset does not change. Rather, we can say that the President has provided an additional yardstick for the nation and history to judge him at the end of his tenure.

Looking at the highlights of the address, we observe as follows:

1. Election as the cornerstone of democracy. It is good that Mr. President took note of this, but can Mr. President say that in reality he is committed to observing and enforcing the tenets of democracy through elections, has not acknowledged that the election that brought him back to power is grossly flawed. It is not enough to “understand the frustrations our systems have triggered” and commend those who accepted the frustration. Humility and honesty demand that Mr. President does like Late Yar’adua who sincerely acknowledged that he benefitted from a flawed process. That sincerity made Nigerians believe in his electoral reforms. How will Mr. President convince Nigerians to believe that he will midwife a free and fair 2023 election? It is not just because he will not be available. After all, Obasanjo was not available in 2007, yet he conducted a do-or-die election because of selfish interest.

“We all know that Mr. President has exhibited the worst selfishness in governance more than any other past Nigerian leader. The nation will need more assurance than mere “I will not be available”.

2. On security, we acknowledge the fact that it has been hydra-headed. We also appreciate the intention to continue to work with state Governors and international partners to tackle the root cause, however, we don’t agree with the assertion that the war is being won as there is nothing on the ground to that effect.

We also do not believe that change is in the offing as long as the government is not ready to review the security architecture. If you have worked with a structure for five years without positive results and you are not willing to change the structure, we don’t believe that you are going to see any change. You cannot continue to do the same thing the same way and expect a different outcome.

3. The President mentioned that his government’s actions would be governed by the rule of law and that he would look always to engage with all well-meaning leaders and citizens of goodwill to promote dialogue, partnership, and understanding”. We hope that this will not remain a wish as Mr. President’s government has a disastrous record of abuse and violation of the rule of law.

It is also on record that Mr. President is averse to dissenting view, let it not be that the so-called “well-meaning leaders” to be consulted are the praise singers and those who willingly have kept quiet in the midst of our suffering. We know that such dissenting voices such as the Obasanjos and the Danjumas mean well for the nation.

4. While we recognize the effort to revolutionize agriculture for food security and efforts being made, we don’t believe that extreme import restrictions and closure of borders in the present circumstance is the ideal. While it is good to protect local farmers and manufacturers, such policy must have a human face and not tilting to bias. A situation where southern borders are closed with an iron fist while there is the unrestricted movement across the Northern borders smacks of selfish protectionism.

5. We appreciate the intention to rebuild key infrastructures, particularly in the area of transportation. However, we are wary that some of these projects are not prioritized particularly in the area of location. We hope that many of the projects will not turn out to be white elephant projects and become conduit pipes to drain lean national resources.

On power, we appreciate Mr. President’s intentions, but can we hold Mr. President to his words that in 12 months there will be gradual improvements given the fact that the change mantra promised that power will be fixed in six months and after four years, it still promises?

6. We further appreciate the fact that the government has acknowledged the place of technology and how our vast youth population can put technology in nation-building with a call for debate on our rights and responsibilities as citizens in shaping the boundaries of how best to allow technology to benefit Nigeria. This is a far better approach than the attempt to promulgate anti-technology use laws such as hate speech and anti-social media bills. A robust debate as proposed by Mr. President will produce something better than the purposed draconian laws.

7. While we believe that different areas of government can work harmoniously together to deliver good governance, we disapprove and disagree with the notion that only by being a “rubber stamp” to the executive arm which the ninth Assembly has subscribed to is the best for our democracy.

We are also worried that Mr. President kept quiet about the obvious paddings that took place in the budget and the obnoxious N37 billion national assembly renovation allocation. If this has happened in the eighth Assembly, Mr. President would have shouted to the high heavens. However, we appreciate the timely passage of the appropriation bill.

In view of the above observations, Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship appreciates Mr. President for the following:

a) Discarding the third term fears
b) Promise to engage well-meaning people of goodwill to promote dialogue
c) Plan to increase domestic gas supply
d) Appreciation of the young, vibrant talented Nigeria Youths, whom he hitherto denigrated as being idle
e) Increase in national minimum wage and new development projects.
However, we are worried that:
a) There is nothing concrete to show commitment to electoral reform
b) War against corruption still looks lopsided and there is no plan for a balance.
c) Border closure has a tendency to accelerate the rate of inflation
d) Our debt burden is increasing and some of those ambitious projects may balloon the debts.
e) That war against insurgency may not be won as long as Fulani herdsmen are being treated with kids’ gloves and Boko Haram is still surreptitiously receiving government patronage. Also, with corruption parading the military top brass, the war may not be won as soon as envisaged.

We therefore, recommend that Mr. President do the following if he must put the nation on sound footing in the decade of the 2020s

1. Stop proposed National Assembly renovation with whopping sum of N37 billion.

2. Stop the 30 billion dollars proposed loan

3. Declare Fulani herdsmen as terrorist group and proscribe them.

4. Review the 2020 appropriation law before implementation to checkmate the padding

5. There is a need to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to resolve all grievances in the nation.

6. Review, adopt and implement the 2014 national conference recommendations
7. Reverse your lopsided appointments and respect the principles of federal character.

8. Revamp the nation’s refineries and step down as petroleum minister. If you are sincere, you will agree you have not done well in that capacity.

9. Pass and sign into law the electoral reform bill which you selfishly refused assenting to.

10. Lead by example. Reduce foreign trips, including medical tourism.

11. Have respect for rule of law. Obey court orders.

12. Take steps to stop the persecution of Christians and rescue all those held hostage by Boko Haram, including Leah Sharibu.

We believe you still have a chance to redeem your image as an anti-corruption czar and write your name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.

God bless Nigeria.

Prof. Charles Adisa
National President

Mr. Onyenachi Nwaegeruo
General Secretary