Buhari and the burden of power

Today’s inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s 15th head of state and sixth democratically elected president opens a new chapter in the country’s polity as it marks the end of PDP’s 16 years in power since 1999, when the country returned to civil rule.

Buhari, a former military ruler, made history with his defeat of an incumbent president (Goodluck Jonathan – 15.4 million to 12.8 million votes) for the first time in Nigeria’s political history, and becomes Nigeria’s second former military ruler after Olusegun Obasanjo to return to the presidency through the ballot.

The Katsina State-born retired Army General returns to the seat he vacated three decades ago following the overthrow of the then military regime he headed between 1983 and 1985 by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.

However, his second coming is at a time discontent in the polity has compelled most Nigerians to lose faith in the system. Against this backdrop, the APC-led federal government comes on board amidst great expectations from the populace.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, remains a land of poverty, insecurity, corruption and poor infrastructure five decades after independence despite her huge human and natural resources due to what many have described as inefficient leadership.

No doubt, Buhari is not unaware of the heavy burden he must shoulder to turn the tide despite the myriads of challenges, and a majority of Nigerians believe that he has what it takes to lift the country out of the woods given his track record.

Undeniably, he is admired by many for his uprightness and anti-corruption stand. His then military regime was revered for its ability to keep the country afloat by making progress through sheer economic ingenuity even when it rejected the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan; refused to devalue the Naira; curbed imports of needless goods and curtailed oil theft.

His administrative style and transparency was also lauded by many Nigerians when he headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). The agency (though scrapped) is still credited for impacting on the lives of the people through implementation of several developmental projects.

The conviction that he would bring the needed change is further predicated on the fact that unlike other past leaders since independence, who emerged by accident, Buhari is prepared for the Herculean task of leadership given his relentless efforts since 2003 to become president. The 2015 polls was the fourth time he ran for the presidency.

In the course of campaigning for votes, he made several promises, which he said will bring positive changes in the lives of Nigerians within two years. The promises revolve around three issues – fight against corruption, insecurity and job creation.

According to him, corruption presently stands for culture among Nigerians, but must be dealt with if the nation is to make desired progress.

On the economy, he promised programmes that will tackle unemployment as well as to accord priority to agriculture and other non-oil sectors.

Security, he also pledged would be strengthened as the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the North Eastern part of the country is unacceptable.

With the season of promises – realistic and unrealistic ones – over, the reality stares Buhari and his party in the face, and no amount of excuses, not even dwindling resources as a result of the crash in oil price will convince the people that it is not time to start enjoying the fruits of democracy, which Buhari pledged.

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