Congratulations Baba, on your
election and subsequent inauguration as the 6th democratically
elected President of Nigeria. Indeed, it was a long road to victory. You fought
gallantly and doggedly to assume this exalted position in the land. Your
victory at the poll is a great testimony of your patience, courage and
sagacity. Obviously, henceforth, I don’t need to cite the examples of Abraham
Lincoln and others whenever I want to teach my students that patience is
rewarding. You are indeed, our own Abraham Lincoln. Bravo!
#Baba,
now that you are there…I think it is wise to use this medium to
remind you of some lofty promises you made on your way to ASO Villa; and to
encourage you on the task ahead; so that many of us that stood by you, wouldn’t
have any cause to regret after your four years tenure...
#Baba
now that you are there…please, don’t forget in a hurry that your
pedigree and reputation as one of the few corrupt-free Nigerians; earned you
our votes. Yes! So many factors tired to hinder it. Your traducers did their best
to criminalize you; they named you a ruthless dictator and a Machiavellian.
But, I was happy when you used the epic lecture at the Chatham house London, to
remind the world that military rule is synonymous to dictatorship anywhere in
the world. You admitted that you can’t change your past rather you can effect
changes in the present and future.
Again, some pundits also labeled
you an ethnic bigot; a religious fanatic and a sectional leader. Yes, someone
even said that your victory will amount to a deliberate championing of northern
hegemony, patrimony and prebendalism in the Nigerian political space. But, your
choice of Pastors Tunde Bakare and Yemi Osinbajo and your recent
remarkable statement that ‘you belong to everybody but, belongs to nobody’ have
seemingly squashed such insinuations.
What about your age and
certificate scandal? These two factors weren’t in your favour at all,
considering the fact that your major contender in the March 28th
election: Goodluck Jonathan is much younger, and seemingly much more educated.
The level of vituperations and diatribes thrown at your personality was so
repugnating; but it gave me goose pimples how your followers insisted on you.
They believed so much in your reputation, moral courage, administrative
prowess, leadership acumen, ingenuity and charisma. Please, do not disappoint
this rare trust bestowed on you by over 15 million Nigerians, as you discharge
the responsibilities you are saddled with.
#Baba,
now that you are there… don’t forget you promised to eradicated
corruption in the polity. We are looking forward to seeing you in action;
because your predecessors promised same, but it didn’t go beyond talking. You
and I know that corruption is the bane of our development; and that was where
your immediate predecessor couldn’t perform creditably. You promised us that
when you arrive, corrupt Nigerians will go to Kirikiri; but, I am perplexed now
I am hearing that you may not probe past leaders, please, we may like to know
why? Are they sacred cows? I don’t know if we can make any meaningful impact in
the future if we fail to address the mistakes of the past. I also sincerely
wish you wouldn’t adopt the ugly method of selective justice.
#Baba,
now that you are there…remember
you promise to fight insurgency and insecurity to a stand-still. Thank God
in your wisdom, the military headquarters have been relocated to Maiduguri,
Borno state. Applauded! That a right step in the right direction.
Sir, frankly speaking, I am not
expecting any magic, of course; change is a gradual thing. Please, let the
change start immediately and continue even after you leave office. Boko Haram
is a major menace in the country, and the fight against insurgency should not be
treated with keen gloves or politicize. Too many persons have lost their lives
already due to cases of insurgencies, especially in the Northeast. A repeat of
this, maybe too ugly.
#Baba,
now that you are there… Please, don’t forget you promise to hit the
ground running as you soon as you assume office by addressing the problem in
the power sector; fix the refineries and provide necessary infrastructure in
the country. To achieve these noble objectives, my advice is simple: be mindful
of those to constitute your cabinet. Your predecessor couldn’t do more than he
did, because of his inactions and inabilities, including that of his Ministers,
Aides and Assistants. Some political inconsequential may flock around you with
the sole intention of sucking dry the national treasury. Beware! Four years is
not too far, the electorates are obviously, ready and willing to reply your
actions and inactions just the way they did to your ‘Otueke’ friend through the
ballot box.
#Baba,
now that you are there…please, try not to tempered with the freedom
of speech of Nigerians. Mr. Jonathan ensured that to the letter. Yes. GEJ is a
democrat and we appreciate him for that. I was shocked when you allegedly
instructed that AIT should not cover your personal outings and programmes; it
sent a wrong signal down my nerves, as if the leopard hasn’t forgot it spots;
but thank God your party, the APC over-ruled the directive. I hope you wouldn’t
ban blogging and bloggers? Please, don’t.
#Baba,
now that you are there…Please, be the President, and not your wife.
Nigerians are sick and tired of the excesses of ‘unelected First Ladies’. Of
course, from 2007 to 2015, the story didn’t change. I was happy when you
promised in one of your campaigns that you wouldn’t have anything to do with
the ‘unconstitutional’ office of the First Lady. Baba, please, maintain your
word. Nigerians elected you and not your wife.
#Baba,
now that you are there… please, the unemployed youths are looking up
to you to provide enabling environment for businesses to strive; industrialize
the country and champion the cause of youth employment in Nigeria. Nigeria, we
were told is the largest economy in Africa and one of the fastest growing
economies of the world. But, why this bogus economic fortune has not tricked down
to enhancing an appreciable living condition of Nigerians remains a mystery to
be unravel. We are not interested in all those macro-economic indices;
Nigerians are clamoring for economic prosperity, growth and development. Please,
champion our economic growth and never be perturbed or militated by the nature
and character of the Nigerian state.
Finally, Nigerians look up to
you…the future of the country largely depends on you; to make or mar Nigeria.
The change we voted for is here!
Nwaimo Chibuzor
Engage me on twitter @gistybuzor
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