APPRAISING PRESIDENT BUHARI’S GOVERNMENT: IS BEAUTY STILL IN THE EYES OF THE STATE ACTOR BEHOLDERS?
By Emmanuel Awode.
Reminiscent of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria, the frenzy associated with the exercise is being rejuvenated by the hyper and pseudo ethno – political gladiators in the build up to 2023 elections. As a matter of fact, the prime generator of this stormy struggle is ‘Political Power’ as the prize for mastery in the game of Power and Influence.
Many genuine and partisan agitators, at the twilight of past administrations in Nigeria, to remedy their perceived exclusion from political relevance and influence, stir up discourse and even violent armed conflicts to jolt the government in power into accommodating their political interests.
Oftentimes, these agitators are branded as mindless meddlers by the government but by their composition and profile this stereotype is rendered rather dead on arrival (DOA). Sparring and speaking truth to power has been a long time catastrophic exercise and some activists have paid the supreme price. Our founding fathers won our often celebrated independence from our colonial masters through constructive engagements and agitations. So, to keep pace with the rapidly changing nature of our society, a synthesis of all shades of opinion whether soothing or irritating is necessary for peace and stability.
Coincidentally, the present APC led government is a major beneficiary of the freedom of speech and expression as practiced by Ex. President Jonathan led administration. This crystallized into the index case of unseating an incumbent president in the political history of our great country Nigeria. The sophistry and allure of the Chatham House speech by President Buhari, Civil Society Organizations’ support and eagerness for a new order by citizens were remote success factors for that novel feat.
Let us take a peep into the minds of Malcolm X about Power; he posited that Power never takes a back step – only in the face of more power. While the great Philosopher, Karl Marx opined that Political Power, properly so called, is merely the organize power or class oppressing another. These views presuppose that beneath Power lurk constant struggling, forcing and fighting to maintain an equilibrium stricto sensu.
A rehash of the to-do-list of President Buhari’s APC led government on assumption of office reveals its desire to revive national security; adhere to the rule of law; sanitize the electoral system; enthrone transparency; fight corruption; diversify the economy; entrench true federalism; introduce effective social safety nets; provide qualitative education and affordable healthcare; provide multi modal transportation network and power infrastructure.
Despite consistent efforts to be favorably appraised on these set goals, statistics and opinion of both local and foreign reputable agencies negate bandied achievements by state actors. PDP the major opposition party claimed it handed over a debt free economy and an exchange rate of N167 to $1 now gone awry with official rate at N432.3 to $1 while black market rate is N736.1 to $1 as at October 4,2022. The general unemployment rate is put at 33.3% while youth unemployment is approximated to be over 60%. As at June 30, 2022, the inflation rate rose to 20.52% from 9.01% in 2015. The recalcitrant accumulated total debt is presently $103.31 billion from $63.80 billion in 2015. It is derided as the world poverty capital harboring 95.1 million poor Nigerians. Is beauty still in the eyes of the state actor beholders?
Emmanuel Awode, a Management Consultant writes from Lagos. Email:luckystarservices2@gmail.com
