Editor’s note: “Since Muhamadu Buhari has been announced winner of the March 28 presidential election Nigerians are waiting for a change. They are thirsty and ready for it. But is a new president able to find a solution to all problems? The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should know Nigerians will not accept excuses from him after four-year term in as well as they refused to accept excuses from Goodluck Jonathan on March 28, 2015,” writes Hygienus Nwagwu.
Story highlights:
Nigeria is a nation in intensive care and the task of breathing life back into it starts May 29, 2015;
The question of public accountability must be top on the agenda;
Nigerians are expecting a full scale war against corruption;
Reducing the cost of governance and the federal bureaucracy is another task the President-elect must pursue with vigour;
Unbundling the NNPC and ending the corrupt petrol subsidy regime are areas Nigerians expect the President-elect to act swiftly once he assumes office;
The government to free funds for investment in critical areas like power, education, health care and employment generation as well as fighting insecurity and rebuilding the already destroyed north-eastern part of the country;
Nigeria can be great again!
In a matter of hours Muhammadu Buhari will take the oath of office and effectively become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been a bumpy ride to the seat of power for the Daura born former army general and ex-military head of state who started his quest way back in 2003. All that is history now as the Nigerian people have finally given him the nod to rescue them from acute poverty, insecurity and joblessness orchestrated by a thieving political and economic class. To the feeble minded, this could be an opportunity to roll out the drums and celebrate what has been a dramatic and sensational victory going by the fractious nature of the contest and the passion and intrigues exhibited by actors and spectators on either side of the divide.
For the President-elect, though, there is neither the luxury of time nor abundance of resources for such frivolities. Nigeria is a nation in intensive care and the task of breathing life back into it starts May 29, 2015. It has now become a truism to say Buhari must hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration. The incoming president must not lose sight of the political realities and economic imperatives for which many Nigerians decided to pitch their tents with him before and during the election. Whether or not they will continue that relationship with him will depend on how well he urgently addresses our hydra-headed political and economic problems.
READ ALSO: Naij.com Author On Idea To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram
The question of public accountability must be top on the agenda. Buhari won his election on the anti-corruption and change mantra. Nigerians are expecting a full scale war against corruption. This is one side of the bargain with the Nigerian people the president-elect cannot afford to ditch. While not encouraging him to engage in petty, diversionary and distractive battles, questions must be asked as to how our commonwealth got frittered away. In doing this, there should be no sacred cows, no partisanship and no unnecessary witch hunt.
In a paper titled “The 2015 Transition Realities, Expectations and the Challenges”, former secretary to the federal government, Yayale Ahmed , wrote: “I want to inform you that whether there is proper briefing or not, the reality will become reality on May 29. After they have taken over they will see where to ask questions and in what we call public accountability, nobody should be allowed to go without accounting for what is not there.”
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This must, however, not be limited to the Jonathan administration as the gangs that looted Nigeria dry cut across various administrations and regimes and most of the principal actors are still very much around. These criminals against the Nigerian people must be made to return their loot. Also important is the need to strengthen the anti-corruption agencies to stem the tide of sleaze in the system. Reducing the cost of governance and the federal bureaucracy is another task the President-elect must pursue with vigour.
READ ALSO: Nyesom Wike Would Still Win Governorship Election Rerun
That falls within his purview as president and early feelers indicate he is already doing something on that front but beyond the presidency, he needs to work closely with the National Assembly and state governors, exploring both intra and inter party mechanisms to ensure such efforts are replicated by other organs and tiers of government. The government is going to inherit a huge debt profile most of which was incurred on consumption (recurrent) and not investment (capital). We cannot go on like that as a people.
The recent slump in oil prices makes the diversification of the Nigerian economy a no brainer for the incoming administration. One area the out-going administration recorded some progress was the agricultural sector. The gains made must be sustained while other non-oil sectors must be reinvigorated. So much has been said and written about the lack of transparency in the oil sector. Unbundling the NNPC and ending the corrupt petrol subsidy regime are areas Nigerians expect the President-elect to act swiftly once he assumes office.
READ ALSO: Nigerians React To Buhari’s Decision To Move Generals To Maiduguri
It is my humble submission that once much of our looted funds are recovered, leakages plugged, cost of governance reduced and our economy effectively diversified, the government will be able to free funds for investment in critical areas like power, education, health care and employment generation as well as fighting insecurity and rebuilding the already destroyed north-eastern part of the country.
Nigeria can be great again and as we inaugurate our new president in a few hours, history beckons on Muhammadu Buhari to write his name in gold, having at the back of his mind that “agreement na agreement oo!” Nigerians refused to accept excuses from Goodluck Jonathan on March 28, 2015. They will also not accept excuses from Muhammadu Buhari after four years. Mr. President, the ball is in your court.
The views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or other contributors.
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/451889-contract-with-nigerians-reminder-for-president-buhari.html
Editor’s note: “Since Muhamadu Buhari has been announced winner of the March 28 presidential election Nigerians are waiting for a change. They are thirsty and ready for it. But is a new president able to find a solution to all problems? The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should know Nigerians will not accept excuses from him after four-year term in as well as they refused to accept excuses from Goodluck Jonathan on March 28, 2015,” writes Hygienus Nwagwu.
Story highlights:
Nigeria is a nation in intensive care and the task of breathing life back into it starts May 29, 2015;
The question of public accountability must be top on the agenda;
Nigerians are expecting a full scale war against corruption;
Reducing the cost of governance and the federal bureaucracy is another task the President-elect must pursue with vigour;
Unbundling the NNPC and ending the corrupt petrol subsidy regime are areas Nigerians expect the President-elect to act swiftly once he assumes office;
The government to free funds for investment in critical areas like power, education, health care and employment generation as well as fighting insecurity and rebuilding the already destroyed north-eastern part of the country;
Nigeria can be great again!
In a matter of hours Muhammadu Buhari will take the oath of office and effectively become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been a bumpy ride to the seat of power for the Daura born former army general and ex-military head of state who started his quest way back in 2003. All that is history now as the Nigerian people have finally given him the nod to rescue them from acute poverty, insecurity and joblessness orchestrated by a thieving political and economic class. To the feeble minded, this could be an opportunity to roll out the drums and celebrate what has been a dramatic and sensational victory going by the fractious nature of the contest and the passion and intrigues exhibited by actors and spectators on either side of the divide.
For the President-elect, though, there is neither the luxury of time nor abundance of resources for such frivolities. Nigeria is a nation in intensive care and the task of breathing life back into it starts May 29, 2015. It has now become a truism to say Buhari must hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration. The incoming president must not lose sight of the political realities and economic imperatives for which many Nigerians decided to pitch their tents with him before and during the election. Whether or not they will continue that relationship with him will depend on how well he urgently addresses our hydra-headed political and economic problems.
READ ALSO: Naij.com Author On Idea To Grant Amnesty To Boko Haram
The question of public accountability must be top on the agenda. Buhari won his election on the anti-corruption and change mantra. Nigerians are expecting a full scale war against corruption. This is one side of the bargain with the Nigerian people the president-elect cannot afford to ditch. While not encouraging him to engage in petty, diversionary and distractive battles, questions must be asked as to how our commonwealth got frittered away. In doing this, there should be no sacred cows, no partisanship and no unnecessary witch hunt.
In a paper titled “The 2015 Transition Realities, Expectations and the Challenges”, former secretary to the federal government, Yayale Ahmed , wrote: “I want to inform you that whether there is proper briefing or not, the reality will become reality on May 29. After they have taken over they will see where to ask questions and in what we call public accountability, nobody should be allowed to go without accounting for what is not there.”
Advertisement
This must, however, not be limited to the Jonathan administration as the gangs that looted Nigeria dry cut across various administrations and regimes and most of the principal actors are still very much around. These criminals against the Nigerian people must be made to return their loot. Also important is the need to strengthen the anti-corruption agencies to stem the tide of sleaze in the system. Reducing the cost of governance and the federal bureaucracy is another task the President-elect must pursue with vigour.
READ ALSO: Nyesom Wike Would Still Win Governorship Election Rerun
That falls within his purview as president and early feelers indicate he is already doing something on that front but beyond the presidency, he needs to work closely with the National Assembly and state governors, exploring both intra and inter party mechanisms to ensure such efforts are replicated by other organs and tiers of government. The government is going to inherit a huge debt profile most of which was incurred on consumption (recurrent) and not investment (capital). We cannot go on like that as a people.
The recent slump in oil prices makes the diversification of the Nigerian economy a no brainer for the incoming administration. One area the out-going administration recorded some progress was the agricultural sector. The gains made must be sustained while other non-oil sectors must be reinvigorated. So much has been said and written about the lack of transparency in the oil sector. Unbundling the NNPC and ending the corrupt petrol subsidy regime are areas Nigerians expect the President-elect to act swiftly once he assumes office.
READ ALSO: Nigerians React To Buhari’s Decision To Move Generals To Maiduguri
It is my humble submission that once much of our looted funds are recovered, leakages plugged, cost of governance reduced and our economy effectively diversified, the government will be able to free funds for investment in critical areas like power, education, health care and employment generation as well as fighting insecurity and rebuilding the already destroyed north-eastern part of the country.
Nigeria can be great again and as we inaugurate our new president in a few hours, history beckons on Muhammadu Buhari to write his name in gold, having at the back of his mind that “agreement na agreement oo!” Nigerians refused to accept excuses from Goodluck Jonathan on March 28, 2015. They will also not accept excuses from Muhammadu Buhari after four years. Mr. President, the ball is in your court.
The views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the original author. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Naij.com, its editors or other contributors.
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