Opinion: President Buhari doesn’t deserve a second term – By Satmak Dapar

For the records, let me start by saying that this article is strictly my opinion and I take full responsibility for that. I’m pretty sure it will be read with mixed reactions but that’s ok. This opinion is a clear reflection of my conscience and I’m happy to use this medium to offload an enormous burden that has made me wondering over time which direction my lovely and beautiful country Nigeria is headed. The love I have for Nigeria can’t be quantified. It’s endless in both space and time.

Consequently, I’ve had the golden opportunities of contributing to society through philanthropy, journalism, unionism and leadership development services especially in rural areas. I’ve seen for myself firsthand the Nigeria of yesterday and today. It is particularly a Nigeria where poverty, hunger, injustice, massive bloodshed and violence, illiteracy, diseases, decay in critical infrastructure and corruption in high places has taken the place of purposeful and God-fearing leadership. I also have considerable knowledge and the different dots defining conventional politics having done it at almost all levels.

Prior to 2015 general elections, the atmosphere was awash and inundated with the fact that Gen. Buhari was coming to power to make the real change Nigerians sought for a reality. Those words kept ringing a bell and Nigerians took a unanimous decision to kick out the Jonathan-led government which was hitherto accused of gross incompetence and corruption. That development ushered the dawn of a new political era and high confidence was reposed in the APC on the basis of its promises, action plans and much-talked-about miraculous change agenda.

I was particularly critical of former president Goodluck Jonathan’s style of governance because of many obvious reasons, albeit, I commended him where he exemplified courage in the face of critical odds. It’s now glaring that Gen. Buhari’s change agenda is a mirage and was only used as a campaign strategy but with nothing practical to change Nigeria’s story. What has happened afterwards? What progress have we made? What hope have we achieved? What manner of dignity have we seen and enjoyed at the grassroots level? The abstract of the answer is in these words. Nigeria is at present a country that takes 1 step forward and 2 steps backward. Almost nothing is working in the sacred interest of the masses. President Buhari takes little or no action in stamping out the issue of wanton and unjust killings in the Middle-Belt by terrorist herdsmen. Blood is shed with impunity without justice. The perpetrators unleash their satanic mission and disappear in the thin air. The number of people killed within a span of 3 years is mind-blowing. The number of refugees at the moment is unbelievable. The humanitarian crisis keeps raging and staring us in the face, yet, the killing spree continues in a truly vicious cycle. This is an apparent failure of governance because no responsible government will fold its arm and watch innocent souls perishing on a continuous basis. Similarly, no responsible government will fold its arms and watch poverty, unemployment, frustrations and other ills ravaging the youths without a practical agenda for a way out. We faced same problems before but nothing has changed obviously under the current government. The common man is denied justice. Police unleash mayhem on innocent people without being checked even on a serving senator (Dino Melaye).

For a mace to be stolen in a violent invasion of the senate during plenary last week by thugs shows the degree of shame our leaders have brought to Nigeria considering the fact that the senate symbolizes Nigeria’s democracy. In other words, Boko Haram insurgents in their daring but evil campaign against humanity will storm a sleepy community and hack life out of people; yet, get away with such brazen impunity and injustice. They even abducted our daughters and returned some in a broad day light without total clamp down on them. Unfortunately Leah Sharibu is still in captivity because she refused to denounce her Christian faith. How sad! In the light of these troubles, a true leader is expected to show uncommon courage, fight for the cause of justice, suspend protocols, spend sleepless nights, bend some rigid laws, put aside pleasures, suspend unnecessary foreign trips, wear human sympathy and take radical decisions to make things right.

The reverse is simply the case. People are suffering. Killings are taking place in the churches, mosques, towns and villages as well as market places. The reality is that nowhere is safe. When Gen T.Y Danjuma recently called for self-defense and the fact that the armed forces collude with armed herdsmen to shed blood, it smacked off nationwide condemnation from especially those in power. That was nothing but the truth. However, I commend Mr. President where he has shown commitment in moving the country forward. The import of this article is to criticize in love. Such criticism is borne out of a deep patriotic mind and spirit. Posterity will judge me if I don’t speak out against the injustice confronting my people. Nigeria needs a stronger, more committed, highly-detribalized, just, fair and leadership oriented leader to save us from the endless problems we are facing. Such leader must be the one that will shake Nigeria, dust her and explore avenues for a new beginning. We thought we had such leader in President Buhari but that was only a wishful thinking. It is far from reality.

We need to move forward in a truly holistic manner. Development must take place at all levels and in all ramifications. There must be proper utilization of funds to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Nigerians must heave a sigh of relief, enjoy the dividends of democracy and smile once again that yes! True change has come. It is time to stop issuing condemnations and press releases with little or no action. Any government that cannot protect its citizens and meet their welfare, that government is a failure. As much as we will continue to pray for Nigeria, so also will we continue to criticize constructively until the right thing is done. These killings must stop. Let there justice. On a final note, president Buhari doesn’t deserve a second term. Nigeria’s progress can’t continue in this snail speed rate.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Written from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 

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Opinion: President Buhari doesn’t deserve a second term – By Satmak Dapar