In what can be described as a mixture of poetry, promises and history, President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) virtually charted the course of his regime through that inaugural address.
At the level of style, the speech was devoid of bombast, almost folksy in fact. As I read the speech, my mind was picturing two individuals: the speech writer and PMB himself. I believe that between the two of them, the message was passed across.
In the initial part of the speech, it could be said that a political class was coming into place. This became obvious from his commendation of the former president and the expressed hope that his concession of defeat would become the standard of political conduct in the country. Such a posture on the part of Jonathan certainly did a lot to give the country the much-needed stability. And incidentally, this may well be one of the indices of the mature democracies.
On this note, two incidents readily come to mind. The first was when Richard Nixon lost the presidential election. There were suspicions of ballot stuffing. What to do? A recount was needed. But Nixon demurred. This was because, according to him, he would not want America to be held down while a sniggering Kremlin was looking on. Similarly, and much more recently, Al Gore also conceded defeat despite the fact that some shady deals were discovered in Florida. These two incidents demonstrated that, beyond the quest for power, there is a nation whose organic unity must be preserved at all times. And this can only be done by a far-sighted political class as PMB has recognised in his speech. One can only hope here that all the political gladiators across the divide are listening, and should therefore act accordingly in the interest of a higher and better Nigeria always.
There is also a lot to be said for the strain of inclusiveness which hallmarked aspects of the speech. It was moving to hear the president thanking “our countrymen and women who did not vote for us, but contributed to make our democratic culture truly complete, strong and definitive”. Statesmanship was clearly on display here, and one can only hope that this writer was not being carried away here. The same element of inclusiveness could be observed in that very alluring and reassuring phrase: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” In the coming months and years this particular statement will be tested against PMB’s activities, policies and politics. And he had better live up to the ideals inherent in this statement. Some of us are waiting on the sidelines to highlight any future lapses, should there be any.
The historical allusions in the speech were, to say the least, stirring. Buhari reminded us of our illustrious pedigree. Specifically, he referred to the likes of Herbert Macaulay, Azikiwe, Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and the rest of that crowd, with elements from the minority groupings also having a good mention. In the same vein, PMB also proceeded to dwell on the grand pre-colonial social forces which preceded Nigeria. Significantly, he also had a few words for those inclement characters who, according to him, behaved like spoilt children who brought disorder into the house. Predictably, no names were mentioned here, but then, as they usually say, if the cap fits, wear it!
However, I was troubled by one conspicuous omission in much of the immediate foregoing. PMB in his historical excursion did not mention any woman. Yes, there were founding fathers, but at the same time it must be appreciated that there were founding mothers too. I believe that this is a very grievous, if common, mistake that one encounters not just in Nigeria, but elsewhere too. For instance, Americans glibly refer to their founding fathers. In the process, mum is the word as regards the founding mothers. Here is hoping that PMB’s silence here is not some form of what psychologists would call a Freudian slip.
It was very heart-warming to note that PMB revealed in the speech that he would not be indifferent to happenings at the local government level. The point here is that, over the years, activities at this level of government have been usurped by the states. Even then, the political forces at the local level are no saints. They are as depraved as the other political operatives in the land. The consequence is that across the nation, life is not what it should be. Whereas there is the assertion that if the local governments should deliver in terms of their mandate, a large portion of our problems would have been solved. Here is hoping that in view of the tenor in this aspect of the speech, we may well be headed for a new dawn.
And talking of dawn, it was good to note that PMB has some definitive ideas as regards how to contain the Boko Haram menace. I found it particularly interesting that, after the dust has settled as regards this menace, plans are on to understand in an intellectual way to determine, according to PMB, the origins as well as the remote and immediate causes of the movement and its sponsors. Well said, General (sorry, Mr. President)!
In speaking to the issue of security and its concomitant variable – security architecture – it is apposite to point out that there is also the element of Human Security. This particular lack may well be responsible for a lot of our problems in this country.
Democracy, in an ironical way, has brought in its wake gross inequality. At the risk of sounding outlandish, no security can exist in a country where the minimum wage is ₦8,000, whereas House of Reps members and senators, respectively, cart home N20 million and N30 million on a monthly basis. This is certainly one area which should attract the immediate attention of PMB. This is because these stratospheric salaries and allowances of our legislators may not even have backing in law. And no less an authoritative person like Olisa Agbakoda has said as much. So, sir, beyond rhetoric, this particular area of our national life requires your attention, and urgently too.
And as regards power, it looks as if PMB is treading carefully. So carefully that, as he disclosed in his speech, studies are underway to unravel why the power sector has consistently underperformed. Well, studies are good in themselves. I am of the view, however, that there are enough of such out there. What we really need is a prudent review of present studies as well as subsisting policy realities. Through these interrelated processes, it may well be possible to get our country out of this particular and embarrassing thicket.
Predictably, the speech also took in aspects of the international community. And this is just as well if only because Nigeria must necessarily relate with the rest of the world and vice versa. The first aspect spoke to sub-regional cooperation, while the latter dwelt on the unprecedented goodwill which has been flowing into the country since May 29. As regards the first one, sub-regional cooperation is compelling. This is because of the axiom in international relations that it is possible for a man to change his friends, but he cannot easily do the same as regards his neighbours. Therefore, it is just as well that even beyond the professed commitments towards sub-regional cooperation, PMB has already taken the first step by his maiden visits to Chad and Niger.
As regards the unprecedented goodwill flowing from the wider international community, PMB should be wary. In reality, there is nothing unprecedented about such. Right from the dawn of independence, Nigeria has always been enthusiastically embraced by foreign powers. The bitter truth is that no country is committed to the development of another country. And this is not strange. It is in consonance with the law of life.
Consequently, Nigeria is for Nigerians to develop. At this point in time, Buhari is in the cockpit to play a prime role as regards Nigeria’s development. After the talk, the challenge that we dare to throw here is: Will PMB be able to walk the talk?
Kayode Soremekun
