Buhari Begins ‘Next-Level’ Term Wednesday, But Nothing Will Change

Buhari taking oath of office on May 29th, 2015

Buhari Begins ‘Next-Level’ Term Wednesday, But Nothing Will Change

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari today completes his first tenure in office. He was sworn-in on May 29th, 2015. Tomorrow, he ‘is handing over to himself’, a belief he held tight to even in the early hours of the March 6th 2019 election date.

The retired General and former military Head of State beat his immediate contender and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who was largely projected to win the election.

Buhari, who is 76 has said he is taking Nigeria to ‘the next level’ in his second term in office which starts on Wednesday, May 29th. But there are many indices that cast doubt on the direction that the West African country, touted as the giant of Africa, would go in the next four years.

Buhari’s first term has been characterised by economic lull, rampant insecurity especially in the northern part of the country, sectionalism and bigotry; and above all satisfaction for mediocrity.

There is widespread dissatisfaction with Buhari’s first term. But the administration has shown a huge body language that nothing will change for the better in the next four years.

Buhari’s Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu was accused of forging his NYSC certificate

For instance, most of the people that drove Buhari’s first four woeful years will return in the second term. On Monday, in an interview aired on the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA indicated clearly that most of his ministers will return. He had asked his Ministers to submit their records of achievement and expect to leave the cabinet, but he was considering whether some “would stay” during his next four years which begins on May 29.

 “I will make the police and the judiciary much more efficient. They are at the forefront of law enforcement,” the president said.

He also promised to be tougher on incompetent officials in the security sector.

“I will find out who is responsible” where they are not efficient, Buhari said.

There is never an administration in Nigeria that exercised so much tolerance to incompetence close to Buhari. Except for the Ministers that resigned their positions to contest for higher positions and former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun who resigned over controversies of fake certificate, Buhari retained all his Ministers and Service Chiefs and most heads of parastatals even when the general public voted for their removal. The president has been widely criticised for failing to sack security chiefs, amidst widespread breaches that have cost thousands of Nigerian lives.

Boko Haram has killed hundreds of Nigerian soldiers since it launched a campaign against military formation in July 2018 alone. The police have also been condemned for failing to tame armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have kept citizens awake at night. 

If Buhari would make any difference in the coming years, it could start from making critical changes in his cabinet. But this is not coming.

Second indicator is Buhari’s satisfaction for his own performance. The administration has scored itself high in the first four years against the public scorecard.

 Buhari has congratulated his out-going members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for ‘not giving up’ when they inherited ‘broken economy, insecurity and corruption’ from the government of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Nigeria’s president has been criticised for failing to tackle economic and security challenges which were the hallmark of his administration.

Buhari said many could have given up given the load of work to do.

“We inherited a broken economy which eventually went into recession in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2016. The situation was further compounded by insecurity and massive corruption.

Emefiele in suit with Buhari

“Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said our situation was well-nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country from its parlous state.

“Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals. These differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more rational”, he said.

Earlier in the month, Buhari nominated the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele for a second term of five years. Emefiele’s nomination has been confirmed by the Senate. Emefiele became the Governor of the Bank which is in charge of huge monetary policy of the government. Emefiele became the CBN governor in 2014. Under his watch, Nigeria has been struggling with its economy from 2015 till date.