The reign of Presidential declarations by Salaam Rasak O.
Barely few weeks after social media activists and veteran journalists, Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporter founder, Fela Durotoye, and co., declared their intentions to vie for the grandiose seat of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the incumbent President Muhammad Buhari followed suit yesterday by expressing interest of serving Nigerians one more time.
Against this backdrop; reactions, revelations and premonitions of Nigerians have been making the round. While it is not unusual in real political environment embedded with conscious individuals, the reactions particularly to President Muhammad Buhari’s intention hold great deal of messages which are worthy to be noted.
For Mister President, he should be wary of sycophants who still assure him that Nigerians are contented with his go-slow-like and unproductive style of governance. If there is a need for confirmation, the following tweets of some Nigerians on twitter establish the drastic decline in his goodwill:
Looool. When he wins, he won’t get up from his bed in Aso Rock till 2023.
— Francis (@FrancisIyke_) April 9, 2018
He has finally achieved his dream of being the president of Nigeria now that he’s suppose to sit somewhere and count his days he’s seeking re-election ……pic.twitter.com/wZD2JjM1of
— Horlardeemaygee (@Sam_khalifa1695) April 9, 2018
Affliction will never rise the second time says the Lord Almighty!
— THE TRUTH ONLY (@FACT_UNDISPUTED) April 9, 2018
Retweet if you prefer Aso Rock is empty than seeing President Buhari in power again and like to see him return…Lets endorse a stat.
— I_Follow_Back_Instantly (@Gov_jay) April 9, 2018
What a good news! π π π Nigeria will be great again
— True Conscience π³π¬ (@PHEMY37) April 9, 2018
Long live PMB. Long live Nigeria
— Erha Solomon (@erhasolomon)April 9, 2018
It is within the president’s right to seek re-election. It is also within the right of the citizens to say NO to incompetence and bad leadership.
— /sæmoælfrΙd/ (@samoalfred)April 9, 2018
…seeking re-election for doing nothing in 3years? That’s corruption!
— orji Emmanuel (@andyorji) April 9, 2018
“My second term bid based on clamour by Nigerians” @MBuhari*Nice try, tell me another fabu! ππππππ pic.twitter.com/633UL1uv88
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) April 9, 2018
The man knew that his 2nd term declaration is unpopular, unpleasant and unpalatable to the vast majority of Nigerians which is why he ran away to London as soon as he announced the news. One would have thought he is contesting for @Theresa_May’s job the way he dashes to the UK.
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri)April 9, 2018
And many others…
It could be denoted from the above that a sizeable number of Nigerians are dissatisfied with his administration. The reason offered that he decided to contest because of pressure from different quarters is untenable. Hence, I urge him to introspect deeply. Only an easily influenced person will obey an order to put his/her hand in a scorching fire.
There is no doubting the fact that Buhari wasted the whole lots of people's support, believe and trust. From the lens of ethnic political appointment to mere masquerade anti-corruption war, laggard economic growth and development, increasing unemployment and unimaginable loots under his administration; Nigerians could effortlessly pinpoint incompetency and sheer hypocrisy.
It is, therefore, particularly doubtful that Nigerians will give another benefit of doubt, save his personality could redeem the lost glory if socioeconomic and political spheres are restructured in the meantime. These will require a magic wand. Again, credence may be given to President Muhammad Buhari’s personality of distasting corruption but that is not sufficient for the delivery of good governance.
As ways out of the scheming challenges, the 74-year old Buhari will require youthfulness to decidedly govern this complex Nation, but where thy be sourced at 76 in second term? Hence, step aside and leave while the ovation is loudest. More fundamentally, he should do away with fanatic advisers who may have blurred his right vision of seeing the true Nigeria. Nigeria is aching and need rescue from a vibrant, visionary and purposeful leader. It is in this context that Omoyele Sowore, Fela Durotoye, Femi Aribisala and co., fit in. But where are the political and economic wheels to drive the action? Will Nigerian electorates see beyond preexisting political structure at the ballot? Having read the timeless work of Thisday Columnist, Segun Adeniyi, “Against the Run of Play: how an incumbent President was defeated”, it is obvious that an incumbent was defeated and new incumbent can also be defeated again. Note: But not on social media. Are Nigerians listening?
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It is, therefore, particularly doubtful that Nigerians will give another benefit of doubt, save his personality could redeem the lost glory if socioeconomic and political spheres are restructured in the meantime. This will require a magic wand. Again, credence may be given to President Muhammad Buhari’s personality of distasting corruption but that is not sufficient for the delivery of good governance.