Editor’s note: At this crucial stage in Nigeria’s history, the nation is in dire need of someone who would stir the country to the promise land. Having experienced 6 years of the Jonathan administration
which many view as unpromising. Gen Mohammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC is seen as the second option. But will a Buhari administration do any better than that of Jonathan? Kess Ewubare Of Naij.com gives 5 reasons why Buhari’s presidency might mean disaster for Nigeria.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or other contributors.
– Story highlights:
– Can Buhari be trusted with the affairs of Nigeria?
– Buhari will always represent Tinubu’s interests
– Buhari’s Change May Mean Change For The Worst
(Naij.com) – Can Gen Mohammadu Buhari, a man who once ruled under a military dispensation be trusted with the affairs of Nigeria at this time in our country’s history? Will a Buhari administration do better than that of jonathan? While we ponder over these questions, here 5 reasons why Buhari’s administration may spell disaster for Nigeria.
Buhari Will Always Represent The Interest Of The ‘LION OF BOURDILLION’
Africa
If the revelations in the documentary are true, the question is, can Gen Mohammadu Buhari truly fight corruption if his political godfather is corrupt? No doubt, Bola Tinubu has played a pivotal role in furthering Buhari’s aspiration to be president. Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the APC presidential aspirant, Mohammadu Buhari has also openly affirmed that Tinubu’s support has brought Muhammadu Buhari’s ten-year presidential quest to near actualization.
It is said that Tinibu’s private jet is used to fly Buhari round the country for campaigns among other huge financial support Buhari presently enjoys from Tinubu. We know nothing goes for nothing, Bola Tinubu expects to be paid back if Buhari becomes president. If that happens, then the landlord of Lagos might extend his empire to other parts of the country, owning oil wells and choice properties in different parts of the country. Buhari’s presidency might be an avenue for the landlord of Lagos to become the Landlord of Nigeria.
A pack of wolves with a change of name remains a pack. The All Progressive Congress (APC) under whose umbrella Buhari is running, is an association of former PDP members who have occupied government positions in time past with little or nothing to show for it. They are part of of Nigeria’s political system hinged on greed. The untold truth is that some of the characters in the APC are not any better than those in the PDP. Most of the ardent critics of the PDP were once zealous PDP supporters in Obasanjo and Yar’Adua regime. So why did it take these recycled politicians so long to realize that PDP was not the answer to Nigeria’s problems? The APC might even be a bigger evil than PDP considering the unpredictable nature of Nigerian politicians.
So if Muhammadu Buhari becomes the president will he be able to perform competently while surrounded by this crop of people? I doubt. Buhari’s presidency will at best will shift the alleged corruption from the PDP to the APC while the status quo which is corruption remains.
Buhari Appears Too Frail To Handle Nigeria’s Complex Problems
In determining a presidential candidate, the age of the aspirant is less important when compared to his ability to deliver on his mandate. No doubt, Governor Ayo Fayose, And Femi Fani Kayode among other PDP members have overplayed the age issue, trying to insinuate that Buhari, 72, is too old to serve as president of Nigeria. While I don’t subscribe to demonizing an individual base on his age, it does not take away the fact that age may be a key factor in determining how much a candidate can deliver.
Following logic, a 72 year old man is unfit to run the affairs of a company because of the tedious nature of the job. If a 72 year old is seen as too old to handle a company of less than 1million people, should he now be tasked with handling the affairs of an estimated 200 million people. In reality, a 72 year old man would fail woefully in ruling Nigeria.
Some have cited the examples of old presidents and prime ministers who have ruled other countries to back the claims that age does not matter. They allude to the fact that Winston Churchill was 80 when he served as British prime minister during World War II and that Nelson Mandela was 71 when he became President of South Africa.
They however forget that these countries unlike Nigeria are built on the principles of competence and equity. Where any one in a government position looks to giving his best. Nigeria on the other hand is adjudged to be the most corrupt country in the world with myriads of problems. Without deceiving ourselves let us admit that a 72 year old man would be over whelmed by the problems in Nigeria.
Have you noticed that Barrack Obama looks 20 years older than he did before he became president of USA, gray hairs have also decorated the head of Goodluck Jonathan since he became president. Imagine what would happen if a 72 year old man assumes that position.
Buhari’s Change May Mean Change For The Worst
History is filled with tales of revolutions that have gone sour, bearing similarities with the satire by George Orwell’s Animal farm. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has made “change” its primary slogan in the coming election. But the party has failed woefully in explaining how it intends to implement change.
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Buhari’s second coming as Nigeria’s head of state may be reminiscent of his 1983 change, where he ousted the government of Shehu Shagari only to change Nigeria for the worst, reducing Nigerians to animals that needed to be tamed by horse whips ( koboko). If Buhari failed to institute genuine change back then, what makes us thinks he would do so now?
Added to this the APC has not proved to be a better party than the PDP. Lagos which is APC’s strong hold is said to generate more than N20 billion monthly from its internally generated revenue. With all that money what change have Lagosians experienced? Daily, touts (Agberos) and area boys collect levels from shop owners, bus drivers, okada riders and the common people hustling to survive. If APC assumes power, its use of thugs may as well extend to other parts of the country. Many Nigerians don’t trust APC, they know PDP has performed badly but APC doesn’t look like a better option either.
Buhari Himself Is A Recycled Politician
One of the reasons why Nigeria has remained stagnant after 16 years of democracy is that most of the country’s present rulers are recycled politicians who have ran out of modern ideas. Buhari, a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army was Head of State of Nigeria from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985, after taking power in a military coup d’état. Since he was ousted from power, Buhari has remained inactive, far from any administrative position.
Decades later, many now see him as the answer to Nigeria’s problems which may be a misnomer. Buhari is also a recycled politician who has ran unsuccessfully for the office of president in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections. He may lack the leadership qualities needed to rule a nation successfully. Buhari has also never tried to inculcate these abilities in himself decades after ruling Nigeria with horse whips.
