Managing victory was always going to be a problem for Buhari and the APC that campaigned on change; a slogan that many including myself suspected and argued was not for real but a mere ruse to hoodwink the people. Just this week Buhari began to vindicate those who always believed the change slogan was a scam first from the transition team that was generous to other regions in its composition while excluding some others to the purported AIT ban that was reminiscent of his military era intolerance of the media. As the saying goes “little things matter” and if these noted moves is what is going to define Buhari’s presidency then Nigeria is in for tougher times that will push the nation further down the road to perdition.
The much awaited inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari’s transition team a few days ago revealed two things; firstly, its composition revealed the intent to exclude a section or sections of the country thus abdicating the core principles of democracy and continuing the long tradition of exclusion that has contributed in no small measure to the nation’s ruin. Secondly, the transition team was made-up of shady political personalities strangely under the leadership of 85 year old Ahmed Joda and not technocrats as promised. For those who are discerning, what the transition list reveals is a continuation of the status quo in all ramifications. Why for instance would some zones have four members why some have three and one zone has only two? What is the difficulty in for once making every zone have equal membership in the spirit of the promised change? Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign was prominent for its anti corruption rhetoric, he also variously promised a cabinet of purpose driven technocrats, but if the transition team is any indication of his cabinet with politicians like Governor Chibuike Amaechi and other political prostitutes then his cabinet will be a cabinet not of technocrats but of corrupt politicians.
The banning of AIT from covering his activities presented yet another contradiction of the promised change and abdication of the principles of competitive democracy. Though the order was rescinded under intense public pressure, Buhari’s true inclinations had been already revealed by that brazen intolerance of media dissent. These incidents indicate for all intents and purposes that managing victory is already proving to be a challenge for Buhari and his apostles in a democratic system they abhor and a promise of change they never believed in. But it comes as no surprise, those who carefully observed the electoral process would have seen the undemocratic credentials of Buhari and the APC on display as they deployed threats, intimidation and abuse against their perceived opponents. The scant belief in change or democracy was also evident as the talk of excluding regions or groups who did not vote for Buhari has clouded the media since the elections.
Yet even as it is obvious that neither Buhari nor his party really believed in change or is prepared to adhere to democratic principles, they have made promises and they would be held to account on their promises. They have also come to power through a democratic system which they have a responsibility to uphold in its entirety. Since Buhari and his party promised change, they are honour bound to deliver change and change can mean nothing other than to change the way things have been done in Nigeria that brought the nation to its knees. It is common knowledge that one of the greatest faultiness in Nigeria has been marginalisation and other forms of exclusion and injustice that has steadily increased sectarian divisions. A government that is serious about change would go out of its way to be radically inclusive as a departure from the past and a strategy for nation building.
Change in a nutshell means to put a stop to anything that ruined the nation in the past and adopt a new approach, it means a government of dedicated and patriotic individuals that serves the common good, it means a radically inclusive government and the promotion of justice and equality, it means the advancement of decentralisation/federalism and equitable development across the country, it means the implementation of the national conference report for the purposes of nation building, it means diversification from crude oil to technology and industrialisation, it means a final resolution of the vexed settler/indigene problem that has denied Nigerians full citizenship rights, it means a dedicated national initiative on nation building in view of creating a national identity that in time diminishes ethnicity and other associated points of sectarian cleavages, it means no sacred cows past or present and zero tolerance for corruption. This amongst others is what change should look like.
In addition; the Merriam Webster dictionary defines democracy as a “form of government in which people choose their leaders by voting and where everyone is treated equally and has equal rights.” Thus whether by notions of the promised change or by the standards of democracy, there should be no room for exclusion of sections of the country or intolerance of the media in Buhari’s administration. No democracy functions by vindictively excluding regions and or peoples who did not vote for the winning team for that would be defeatist of the very idea of democracy. Democracy has come to be acknowledged as the best human model of governance because it guarantees the freedom to choose, criticise and oppose your leaders without suffering any loss to your rights or freedoms either as a group or individual. It is a competition of ideas and ideals that is periodically sold to the citizenry. In true democracies, leaders are regularly changed for this very reason as voting trends and patterns most often change with each election cycle. Buhari and the APC should stop behaving as if democracy is war because it is not.
Power comes with responsibility and Buhari must begin to demonstrate such absolute sense of responsibility. He must also be mindful of his precarious walk on a slippery slope as his every move would come under intense scrutiny. The transition team and the AIT ban has not been a good beginning, but it presents a learning opportunity to be inclusive in future appointments and to be tolerant of the media. Anything to the contrary and he would have to contend with those of them like myself who would expose any hypocritical act that contradicts his promise of change and the ideals of democratic governance. It should be noted that many people are tired of Nigeria and the bogus promises that always remain unfulfilled by deceitful bigots masquerading as leaders. Buhari’s administration might well be Nigeria’s last chance as his failure would provide the final catalyst for the unbundling of the nation.
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Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu
Email: lawrencenwobu@gmail.com
