Front Pix
Beyond Buhari’s Victory …Why Most Nigerians Are Impatient
Muhammadu Buhari
Barely a month after the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari, as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, following his victory in the March 28,2015 elections, many Nigerians have started criticizing the government as unbelievably slow in action. They expect quick fixes to national maladies in the military fashion.
These Nigerians should not be blamed. As a party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) held the hope of a better Nigeria, different from the years under the rulership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In fact, the party exhuded so much confidence and knowledge of Nigeria’s problems to such extent that many believed that once elected, they would hit the ground running.
Among the issues Nigerians sought quick answers to were as follows: The Boko Haram inspired insurgency would be brought to an end and the Chibok girls, kidnapped more than a year ago, rescued immediately. APC accused the PDP of bungling the war on terror and did not make sufficient effort in rescuing the girls.
In fact, the Bring-Back-Our Girls campaign, it was later learnt, was inspired by some members of the APC who used the protest to press government for urgent actions. In the process, the APC promised that a Buhari government would, without any foot-dragging, confront the insurgents, identify location of the girls, and indeed, bring them home to their parents.
One month after, insurgent attacks are still common-place. In fact, only last week, 180 were killed in Borno. Even if Nigerian troops are doing their best, there does not appear to be any magic introduced by the new government as distinct from the previous one.
Another is the issue of fuel scarcity orchestrated by the antics of marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The previous government had canvassed the removal of subsidy as a means of eliminating the near frequent cases of corruption in the management and funding of the subsidy regime.
But just when the measures were announced, civil society groups, trade unions and even motor park touts gathered in parts of Lagos, in protest. Buhari was indeed a rallying point for that campaign.
This time around, Nigerians expected a quick-fix different from the removal of subsidy. They expect urgent steps to be taken towards making the country’s refineries function at full capacity. Apart from the dissolution of the board of the NNPC, Nigerians wanted to bear that a team of experts had been commissioned to brief government of ways to revamping the nation’s refineries and a final decision on the removal or sustenance of petroleum subsidy.
That has not happened. Nigeria still continues to depend largely on imported fuel. This means the government must continue to pay the bills of marketers or risk another round of long queues at filling stations on account of fuel scarcity.
Next to that is the power sector. Nigerians are today made to pay for electricity they do not consume. The new operators under the unbundling of former NEPA and eventual privatization seem reluctant to invest properly and await rewards later. They are keen on making profit over services not properly rendered.
During the campaigns, the APC promised to hold operators accountable and beef up the amount of power generated and distributed for consumption. Instead, the power supply continues to drop, to such disturbing extent that make many Nigerians to wonder if this was the best the new party in government could offer.
Another key reason for Nigerians’ impatience with the government is its inability to handle the conflicting ambitions of its members in the National Assembly. Nigerians expect to see a party with some measure of internal discipline, cohension, and indeed, sense of purpose.
Between when the elections were lost and won, and when Buhari was formally sworn-in, Nigerians expected that a serious minded-party would have decided on choice of members to be President of Senate and Deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives and deputy, and indeed, all other principal officers of the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly.
Instead, nearly more than two weeks after the swearing-in of Buhari and the eventual inauguration of the 8th National Assembly, Nigerians witnessed the emergence of a leadership of the Assembly not endorsed by the APC. In fact, the deputy Senate president became a member of the opposition PDP instead of emerging from the ruling party.
Rather than blame itself, for being unable to manage the ambitions of its senators and House members, some APC leaders are blaming the PDP for capitalising on minor divisions within the ranks of the ruling party.
The PDP also suffered same embarrassment when former Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, emerged against the dictates of the ruling party. Tambuwal also enjoyed the massive support of the opposition, particularly those of the then ACN, CPC and ANPP, who later merged to form the APC.
Knowing this as fact, and possible danger, the APC should have done all necessary groundworks long before the eventual directive by Mr President for the inauguration of the 8th Assembly. Instead, Nigerians are still witnessing what seems a ballroom dance, one step forward, two backwards, resulting in long adjournment of the National Assembly to July 21, less than one month after its inauguration.
While the APC leadership continues to insist that the emergence of both leaders of the Senate and House is unacceptable, the affected officials insist that their elections were constitutional. They hold that it is part of the National Assembly rule that President of Senate and deputy and Speaker of the House and deputy must be elected by the general assembly of both chambers.
That means every senator or member of the House has the constitutional right to vote any member of his choice. That, Senate President, Bukola Saraki continues to insist was what happened.
But it would not have been so, if the party had been united, disciplined and cohesive in the choice of their leaders and made such decision count by ensuring that their members supported the party’s choice, if popular.
Such consensus requires extensive dialogue, sacrifice and loyalty to the party’s hierarchy. It’s called party supremacy. Where these are in short supply, individual ambitions go hay-wire and become uncontrollable. That, indeed, was the lot that befell the APC as a party.
Perhaps, the most important is the delay in the choice of ministers. A divided Senate may be a hindrance to quick passage of the President’s list. Conversely, a united APC could guarantee easy passage of such a list, using its numbers.
But with the rejection of the leadership of both chambers of the NASS, by the APC, there is no telling how such a list will be treated by the same leadership publicly rejected by the ruling party’s leadership.
All these have, without doubt, affected the actualization of the speedy change, APC promised, and for which, Nigerians voted overwhelmingly for its Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
In course of the campaigns, some APC faithful said former President Goodluck Jonathan was not well- prepared for the job of president. They preferred Buhari because he had the experience, and being an army general and former Head of State, was better suited to beat the insurgency to an immediate halt. That has yet to happen. No list of ministers yet. Nigeria still imports fuel. Power supply is still epileptic. Yet, there are no words as to when these will get the government’s attention.
Instead, Nigerians are made to witness froggy leaps and coacks of a divided house, haggling over the choice of National Assembly leadership. And rather than fix it, the APC appears to be busy blaming it on all others, except itself.
My Agony is that the APC does not seem to realize the high expectations of Nigerians for which they granted mandate to its armour bearer in person of Mr President. Nigerians want the change, APC promised them. And urgently too.
Post Script
Once again, from a life-threatening ailment, and from the helplessness of medical experts, The Lord proved why He is Almighty God, and restored my health.
Let’s thank The Lord for saving my life and giving me the strength to voice My Agony, after a long period of near hopelessness.
Welcome to our world, and thanks for all your goodwill and get-well messages. – My Agony.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.