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When one considers the haphazard and incoherent nature of PMB’s administration, the public’s response to his request for ‘Emergency Powers’ to tackle the nation’s economy isn’t at all surprising.
For the sake of those that disagree with me I’ll spend the next few seconds not only breaking this down but also explain why this very situation sums up his team’s other major challenge – Communication.
For whatever reason, the government’s economic team has failed to kick start Nigeria’s economy.
As we’re all painfully aware, transport costs are ludicrously high, food more or less unaffordable for most, and unemployment levels way past critical. We’re also more than aware of the numerous stops and starts regarding economic policy – be they naira /yuan swap, dalliances with Italy, or FX market u-turns.
So for the president to now be asking for ‘Emergency Powers’ is not only strange, but for many rather offensive.
Why?
Because in most people’s minds two questions immediately crop up.
1. Emergency Powers for what exactly?
And
2. With all due respect Your Excellency, if you haven’t been able to even so much as scratch the surface in your attempts to repair the nation’s warehouse of economic woes, why on earth should we think whatever emergency powers we give you will make the slightest bit of difference??
Not to mention suspicions regarding the likely authoritarian manoeuvres Buhari may want to inflict on the nation with such powers. For in truth, most are still wary of PMB’s autocratic past, and as such fear his desire to usher in dictatorship via the back door.
But for the sake of doing my very best to remain objective, and to give Mr. President the very best benefit of the doubt, I want to assume the reason for this seemingly draconian request is due to the fact there may be some positive measures that need to be put in place, but which certain individuals that continue to be an obstruction to Nigeria’s progress are determined to prevent from seeing the light of day.
Is it possible the president requested for emergency powers with our very best interests at heart?
I really couldn’t say. But what I do know for sure is that this administration has once again erred with communication.
Will they ever understand the importance of getting the electorate on side???
Or has their disdain for the people that voted them in reached such heights they now refuse to do the most basic and obvious??
If I was president and found myself being constantly obstructed by self-serving politicians / national assembly members that don’t give a damn about the progress of the nation at large then I’d simply address the nation – explaining to my once loyal public what I want to do and why – clarifying the obstacles I’m presently facing, why I need their support, and the wonderful destination we will surely arrive at should my request for emergency powers be approved.
What does this do?
1. Conveys my love and respect for the people who voted me in
2. Clearly demonstrates that everything I do is for the sake of the people
3. Gives the electorate a glimpse of how wonderful things will be if they support me
4. Makes it very difficult for National Assembly members to oppose my request. For if they do the public will take them to the proverbial cleaners.
It’s a simple exercise of going the extra mile to connect with those that matter the most- the electorate.
And as I suggested earlier, the fact that Buhari hasn’t done this sums up what continues be one of his administration’s biggest flaws – an abject failure to communicate.
Keeping things very brief today.
I conclude with His Royal Highness, The Emir of Kano’s most succinct comments.
“We should not just keep blaming the previous administration; we also made some mistakes in the current administration. They must retrace their steps. They have to retrace those steps all the way. We should not fall into the same trap we fell the last time when the government was always right. The bottom line is that if your policy is wrong, it means you must change it, and nothing will make it right as it has to be changed.”
Let’s hope and pray PMB takes note.
Segun Akande
