This article is aimed at putting certain things in perspective perhaps it will educate a few people on this forum. It is in response to a thread questioning the president’s achievements so far.
Before delving into the real achievements of the president in the last twelve days, let me state categorically to all sensible and patriotic Nigerians that real achievements of a 12-day old government are not measured by serious-minded people but small minds. Throughout the world, the first timeline for measuring any new government’s achievements is usually the first 100 days in office. Nevertheless, let’s accord the naysayers some recognition and see if the government of President Buhari has been sleeping or working.
1. Relocation of Command and Control Center to Maiduguri: In his inaugural speech, the president pronounced that the CCC of the NA will move to the heart of BH insurgency. Two days ago, the directive has been implemented and all the Service Chiefs and the CCC of the NA have moved to Maiduguri. The COAS was reported to have boasted on NTA that the moving of the CCC marks the beginning of the end of BH insurgency. The strategic implication of this relocation of the Command center is not the focus of this thread but the development is a clear implementation of the president’s policy direction on fighting the insurgency. The weeks and months ahead will surely tell us more about this policy’s success or otherwise.
2. Effort to End the Fuel Crisis: It is no news that President Buhari never believed that fuel subsidy existed or that it should even exist in the first place. Within the new govt’s first week in office, we read that the independent petroleum marketers (IPMAN) and the FG have agreed to end the fuel crisis by June 13 (?). Few days after, we also read that IPMAN will import fuel at no subsidy cost to the FG (If you missed the news, read it here http://www.nairaland.com/2366946/marketers-plan-import-fuel-without#34613229 ).
Many of us knew (still know) that IPMAN is not a charity organization to want to do this for free and wondered what could have informed this decision. Before you say Jack Robinson, the news came in that the FG has started dealing with those implicated in fuel subsidy scam and part of the deal reached with some of the marketers is to give Nigeria fuel at no cost in lieu of subsidy collected but could not be unaccounted for. If this is not an achievement, please tell me what is.
3. Boosting Our Image Internationally: It will be an understatement to say that Nigeria’s international image was at a ridiculous level under Jonathan. It was actually non-existing. Nigeria was mocked and laughed at, not only by the Western countries but also by African countries such as Cameroon, Ghana and even Niger Republic. As a president elect, PMB’s stature immediately restored some respect back to Nigeria with many countries that matter in the world suddenly identifying with our dear nation. Such recognition got to the climax by the invitation from G7 for President Buhari to attend with a “wish list” of what types of assistance his government will require from the most industrialized and richest countries of the world. PMB not only attended but was accorded massive respect by the G7 given the fact that he was the first of all invited non-member countries to address the group. The G7 later voiced their resolve to assist the president in his determination to fight BH and corruption.
Let’s face the fact, for Nigeria to continue to be relevant in the comity of nations around the world, we need to seek assistance and cooperate with the world’s most powerful and successful countries. We cannot operate in isolation and risk being alienated.
4. Reduction in Cost of Governance: Even though we have not heard that number of ministries and minister has reduced, we can certainly see that PMB is already showing the needed signs to reduce cost of governance. Firstly, he has indicated there will be 15 Special Advisers with the list sent and approved by the 7th Senate. Under GEJ, there were 24. This will save us cost associated with maintaining nine extra advisers that have been removed.
When GEJ attended the G8 meeting in 2010 in Canada, he had between 170 and 180 people on his entourage including his wife; whereas when PMB went to Germany for the same meeting, he had twenty officials on his entourage. Can any sane person dispute that a huge difference exists between the costs associated with 170 and 20 officials respectively?
5. Effort to Recover Our Stolen Assets: Just yesterday it was reported by SR (known for investigative journalism) that the FG has started to look into the fuel imports by independent marketers. Such efforts have started to yield result as some have volunteered to return some of the stolen monies of the country. Read it here http://saharareporters.com/ and here http://www.nairaland.com/2370827/stolen-assets-recovery-buhari-demands#34638043
It is this same effort that resulted in some marketers agreeing to importing fuel without subsidy while some are already refunding millions of dollar. Again, if this is not already an achievement, please tell me what is?
What Critics Say
1. Excessive Traveling Abroad: Firstly, this is laughable given that these same set of people wanted us to believe that PMB is not strong enough to undertake the stress of traveling around the world that is associated with being a president. They used it as a campaign strategy to no success and now that the president is demonstrating that he is agile and as fit as a fiddle, they criticize him.
That aside, I cannot see any of the president’s trips that has not been worth the stress. His first two trips were meant to coordinate and reach a working agreement with our neighbors (Niger and Chad) on how to crush BH. Then the G7 which I have explained it’s importance and the next is the AU Summit which no reasonable person should have a problem with. If anyone is interested in what purpose the AU serves, Google is available please.
2. Appointments of Key Personnel: I used to be uncomfortable with this situation but after deep thinking, I have come to realize that there may be good reasons for the slow pace.
First, let’s note that ministers may not necessarily be appointed now since the NASS that will approve same will be on recess till end of this month or sometime in July.
Let’s take the SGF and COS positions for example. These two positions are very important not only to the president but to the nation. But does the fact that no one has been announced for each of these positions mean that no one is performing their respective functions?
Let’s look at the Service Chiefs too. Many expected that one of the first actions the president would take was the sacking of these guys given what we know of their performance and Nigeria’s working. However after deep thinking, I have come with possible reasons why the president has not sacked them.
I) Sacking them immediately will mean appointing new Chiefs who will have the challenge of ending the insurgency within few months that the president promised. We must understand that new Chiefs will require time (at least many weeks) to study and understand their hand over notes from the sacked Chiefs. The president may not be prepared to lose such valuable time.
II) Not sacking them may be a deliberate way by the president to “punish” the Service Chiefs by making the do the real work for which they have become rich. The president will be right to make them do the dirty work for which they have been made millionaires and as such should all go to Maiduguiri away from the luxurious living in Abuja.
III) PMB may have understood that what these Chiefs and the NA actually lacked under GEJ was the right leadership which he is ready to provide. As such, he may decide to keep them to achieve the much-craved results that could not be achieved under GEJ. If he does that, he will have proved at the end of the day that ability determines result more than type of available tools. After all, two people given the same resources will not necessarily achieve the same results.
SUMMARY: President Muhammadu Buhari has proved to be a man who is methodical and having the ability to achieve results. He doesn’t come across as a man who makes unnecessary noise about what he does or intends to do. As a true breed General of the NA, action should speak louder than words and that is what he is doing.
It is equally of importance to note that GEJ and his administration deliberately delayed handing over of their stewardship to frustrate smooth take-off envisaged by PMB; hence the handing over of their note on May 28th instead of the earlier proposed May 14th. That act surely denied PMB and his team a whole two weeks that should have been used in studying their notes. Notwithstanding, I am still confident that PMB will put doubters and haters to shame and make Nigeria proud once again.
Written by PassingShot
