IN the beginning, there was no list, but we all knew that sooner than later, there will be one. Many thought that the list will be made public shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration on May 29. But after the first two weeks and there was no list, they started wondering what was happening. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially cashed in on the non-release of the list to upbraid the government. To the party, the president is not ready for governance if he cannot release such a vital document within weeks of coming to office.
In no time, those eagerly waiting for the list tagged the president Baba go slow. Was that an appropriate name for the president at that point in time? Is there anything in the book that says that the list must be released within a specific time? What is it about the list that makes heads turn at the mention of it? The list has always been something to look forward to at the coming of every administration because of its content. And speculations are usually rife in the media about those on the list.
So far, Buhari has managed to keep the list or better still his list, that is what it is anyway, close to his chest. The media have done all they could to scoop the list, but no organisation seems to have succeeded. Some are already being seen as prospects, but the president has refused to give anything away. He seems to enjoy the Baba go slow tag because during his first visit to the United States (US), he told the Nigerian community about the appellation, saying : ‘’They are calling meBaba go slow, but I like to go slowly and steadily because slow and steady win the race’’.
Why is the list a hot item? It is hot because it contains the names of would-be ministers – the men and women who will assist the president in running his government. Though he is constitutionally empowered to pick these ministers, he needs to play his political card well in doing so. This is the dilemma our leaders face when it comes to making oppointments. In order to satisfy some political interests, the president must carry his party and its leadership along in order not to rock the boat.
But for a government, which is championing change, the Buhari administration cannot afford to do things the way they were done by past governments. If it does, where then is the much-talked about change? This, it appears, is why Buhari has been extremely careful in releasing the list. He would not want to be associated with people without character, that is men and women with dark past. If such people should find their way into his cabinet, the list will be dead on arrival because of the way Nigerians will receive it.
With the release of the list, the questions that may arise are: was he fair in his selection? Did he reflect federal character? Did he satisfy constitutional provision? As we await the Senate’s screening of the would-be ministers, our prayer is that may they be men and women, who will have the love of their country and compatriots at heart.
Ah! we can now take a breather with the release of the list.
Nigeria at 55
Today Nigeria turns 55 having attained Independence on October 1, 1960. As a nation, we are older than 55. Nigeria has been in existence long before it attained Independence from its British colonial masters. We may not have shot a gun to gain independence, but we have gone through a lot since 1960. Shortly after independence, we fought a civil war in which no fewer than one million people died. Thousands were maimed. Independent Nigeria has not had it good. Over 120 million of its 170 million population are living in abject poverty. Graduates are roaming the streets without job, while top government officials are going about with fat tummies. Our leaders’ lifestyle is sickening. It is a recipe for a revolution, but for the docility of the people.
This is the first Independence anniversary to be celebrated by the Buhari administration, but the president is no stranger to the rot in our society having held office as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985. So, President Muhammadu Buhari knows where Nigeria is hurting. Our country is haemorrhaging from the official misconduct of our leaders, who are interested more in their own pockets than in making Nigeria great. Leadership has been our problem. We have not been blessed with leaders with the love of the nation at heart. This is why at 55, we are still crawling. If Nigeria were to be a child, I am sorry to say, its parents would have been forced to do something terrible about it. If a child at 55 cannot walk, when will it do so? At 60? 70? 100?
Buhari has been given a chance to turn things round and all eyes are on him to see whether he will deliver. He has so far shown that he knows that the country is in deep mess. It is good that he knows, but it will be better if he corrects things. The people see him as a goodly and godly man, who is not corrupt, an attribute, which aided his election into office. In just three months, we have seen what can be done if a good man is in office. But Buhari needs to sustain the tempo. Will politicians allow him to sanitise the country in a way that will accelerate its growth into the club of elite nations? Many will agree that the president has started well, but it is the end that matters. There should be no hiding place for those who do not mean well for the country. At 55, we should be proud to say that things are working in our country – stable power supply, a functional real sector to drive the economy, availability of fuel all-year round, a thriving middle class, jobs for the teeming young population and wealth creation opportunities, among others. We have the resources to put all these in place, but unfortunately a few people have cornered our common wealth at the expense of millions of others. Is that how to be the giant of Africa? Look at what is happening in South Africa, a country which broke the apartheid yoke off its neck about 25 years ago, and you will weep for our country. Mr President, to make Nigeria great is a task that must be accomplished, no matter what it will cost.
NATION
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