By: Mohammed Umar Pharook
While all changes do not lead to development, all development requires change. The ability to evoke change is essential for every society that wants to continually develop. Through the course of time, change has occurred through various causes and processes, resulting in both positive and negative change. However, it is the attitude towards this change that is most significant in order to achieve result.
Change is omnipresent in any society, particularly that which strives to fulfill the basic needs of its population, but it takes committed leadership to accomplish. To lead a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria while also maintaining and remaining committed to democratic principles and culture is as daunting as sustaining its national culture and identity. This is solely because, for a country like Nigeria, incorporating several ethnic groups to conform with a particular political system would amount to bringing together the problem of ethno-religious conflict as well. Such as been the case of our democratic experiment as regards to change and series of successive changes.
And so it is, after nearly four decade of military dictatorship, Nigerians both at home and oversees, clamored for a more liberal and democratic rule. However, this change came at a cost, those who were the vanguard of change fought fervently to wrestle power from the grip of the military. But for the foresight of the then Head of State, General Abdulsalaam Abubakar (Father of Nigeria’s new democratic rule), this would have been impossible. And change to democratic rule we got in 1999 with a transition after thirty-five years of tyrannical military rule. Majority of those who championed the campaign immediately with the ban on political activity lifted came together under the umbrella of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and took the driving seat to steer the new democratic Nigeria towards the promised bounties of democracy dividends.
Sixteen years after the transition from military to democratic rule, Nigerians again demanded for a different kind of change. Obviously displeasured and dissatisfied with the style of government of the PDP and presumed failure of the PDP to translate change to physical, social and economic development and prosperity for many Nigerians. And so, the opposition sold the idea of a different kind of “Change” and a promise of development. In unison, Nigerians jumped onboard the change bandwagon, with the hope that change would translate to development as perceived by Nigerians. The result of this we all bear witness to in the just concluded general elections of 2015.
The general elections may have come and gone, with Nigerians still bathed in the cheerful gloat of change. Given the wide celebration and dexterity on display over the final outcome of the general elections and for the first time in the history of the nation’s polity the emergence of the opposition, the All Progressive Congress (APC), thereby bringing an abrupt end to the sixteen year reign of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). With high expectation of the new government which commences from May 29th, 2015, the question that may arise from then is on how the APC-led government would be able to meet the litany of demands of Nigerians within its first four years of governance at the national level and perhaps fulfill the much agitated chant for change and development. Many would say, they have been successful at the state level with examples in Lagos, Rivers and Kano quick to come to bear. But at the national level, this would be their first bite of the cherry.
General Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence and the All Progressive Congress’ clean sweep at the poll is not a manifestation of its lofty political ideologies. To say the least, if properly examined, the composition of the party at all levels is indicative of the same faces that constituted the outgoing ruling People Democratic Party (PDP). Hence, it is safe to say that, the APC is riding on the sympathy of Nigerians for change-development and an outright discontent by Nigerians of the perceived failed sixteen year reign of the PDP, which in the eyes of many Nigerians has not only exacerbated the spat of corrupt tendencies but has seen the glorification of impunity in the latter years and high rate of unemployment occasioned by the ever-increasing poverty rate in the country. The Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment scam is one in a series of cases that goes to show the risk therein should the nation continue on this path of rich aggrandizement of the few at the expense of many.
As stated earlier, the problem most Nigerian leaders are faced with is the challenge of meeting the demands of Nigerians at various levels, which may, but of course not limited to supporters, followers and party stalwarts. In the case of the incoming party, it has seen the return of power back to the North with its known tendency for domination and in recent times, it felt hard done after the sudden demise of late President Yar’adua and the installation of his second-in-command, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, which saw power shifting to the minority South-South and the assertive nature they assumed in an attempt not to relinquish it in a hurry. But the interesting scenario that will play out in the APC in the coming years is that of how the party machinery will feed the plethora of interests that constitute its inner caucus while ensuring it meets the demand for change translating to development for Nigerians. Take for instance, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the APC, who leads the charge from the South-west, while Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi along with Owelle Rochas Okorocha championing the interest of the East and South-South against the might of the several Northern gladiators. This makes an interesting marriage akin to a controversial union in the APC. However, while this may appear as such, leaders of the APC have been quick to refute this, as the national leader of the party is quoted as saying “…what we have achieved politically in Lagos and Nigeria is a result of team work, political compactability and vision.”
With President Buhari already posited as the uncompromising personality and dogged adherent to constituted authority, what is left to be seen is how this translates to effective governance and service delivery to Nigerians in the coming years in the face of these litany of demands from these interest groups that paid dearly for his victory. This is coupled with the ubiquitous economic downturn, a culture of impunity, mismanagement and aggravated corruption in government establishment and among officials inherited from the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Furthermore, examining the election outcome which showed the averseness of the people of South Eastern Nigeria to the “change fever” that engulfed the nation, a situation that was not entirely a fault of theirs but rather, the greed of its political elites who hijacked the electoral process in the 2015 general elections for their self-seeking interest at the detriment of the Ibo nation. This again presents an interesting situation that appears to show that the South Eastern geo-political zone is shut out of the mainstream Federal government in the emerging power equation of the APC’s incoming government. Given that President Muhammadu Buhari is from the Northern geo-political zone, while his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is Yoruba from the South West, the next two key positions in the land should ordinarily be filled by the South East. These are the positions of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. But looking at how the Ndigbo supposedly voted in the just concluded elections which saw their votes overwhelmingly going to the PDP. It brings to bear the fear the Ndigbo’s have long held of being marginalized, only this time, they shut themselves in the foot, even though they have repeatedly claimed they have no regrets for how they voted. What is left to be seen is if the government of the APC will assuage this fear and what critical role Ndigbo will play in the evolving change-development effort, considering their precarious situation in the polity at the moment.
Consequently, the outcome of the change experienced during the 2015 general elections, is the spat of political defections. A lot of political heavyweights switched allegiance and camped with the All Progressive Congress, a chief beneficiary of the season long defection exercise. Many may be quick to say, the Constitution provides for freedom of association of any kind under the law. But the situation portents grief danger for our politics in that, while many reasons have been cited for this defection by political observers, which ranges from lack of political ideology of our political elites to pursuit of their selfish interest, Other commentators had alleged the need for political relevance and pressures at the top as being responsible for these antecedents, Price for change you may wish to call it, but perhaps such change should also be reflected in the dealings of the political elite in the country, in the form upholding and standing for what they once held dear and believed in. However, the danger in this spat of political defection is that, it may just elude Nigerians of a vibrant opposition to keep close tap with policies and activities of the new government.
Another key issue this raises is the absence of political ideology in our polity. Take the American experience as a case in point, with the two dominant political forces, the Democrat and Republican, political ideologies of both parties are shared common values that have been enshrined in the norm of the American culture such that, regardless of what candidate contests under what platform, such party ideologies have gained acceptance among the American citizens that they are even passed down the family tree. Candidates contesting political offices from either of the two platforms are not only adherent but loyal followers of such ideologies that they swore to uphold. It is, therefore, not often that we see candidates or politicians of one party cross-carpeting to the next regardless of what circumstances might have befallen his or her political party at the polls. Nigeria’s democracy has come of age and this is clearly demonstrated in the just concluded general elections. The next phase for our political journey should involve change that would see political parties having a distinct position on national and international issues which could constitute their ideologies.
Beyond the rhetoric of party ideologies and political marginalization, what the political atmosphere in the country has witnessed in the last general elections is a clear testament that change is really imperative. This is so because, it is no longer the case of business as usual for political office holders, especially when you occupy such office in a dispensation where information travels at jet speed, The internet community of Nigeria must be commended at this point for eavesdropping and serving as a new vanguard for change, effective governance and development through the power of the social media. They have not only given the Nigerian side to the story, but with unfolding precedents, they are sure to make future leaders sit-up and understand public office are public domain and not personal investment and as such people who occupy them must realize that the eagle eyes are watching.
For President Muhammadu Buhari, his emergence as the candidate of choice for Nigeria he should realize, is borne out of the desire by many Nigerians to have a feel of the much talked about change-development and democratic dividends which has alluded them for much too long. And so, he has been saddled with an utmost responsibilities, considering the state of the nation at this point in our history. For this, he (Buhari) should understand that every decision and action he embarks upon must be one that serves the best interest of Nigerians rather than his party. Bearing in mind that it was him rather than the party that the Nigerians masses voted overwhelmingly for and so he should serve them the change that they so dearly yearn for. This change as defined by the masses will only be considered to have come, if they are guaranteed the simple pleasures of life, such as three square meals, portable drinking water, functional health facilities and education, a thriving economy anchored on provision of adequate electrification and industrialization. These will be the change-development that most Nigerians crave.
With these expectations, General Muhammadu Buhari may have had his work cut-out for him, because the said change must be such that would translate to economic transformation and physical development, else we might be looking at a replay of the Egyptian Mohamed Morsi’s case on our hand. As such drastic measures are expected to be taken within weeks after May 29th hand-over. Nigerians on their part should also expect to feel the pangs of these measures expected to be rolled out if the change they so dearly clamor for are to be achieved. Some of these measures may require that General Buhari be extraordinarily brave, starting with downsizing the over-bloated civil service work force. Others may include any measure that General Buhari is to adopt such as reduction in the overhead cost of the executive and legislatures, cut down the number of foreign trips (especially unnecessary ones), reduce the fleet of presidential airlines and sponsored foreign trips like Holy Pilgrimage for party faithfuls and allowances. This will go a long way to giving confidence and acceptance to his reform agenda.
Furthermore, Nigerians must understand that change is complimentary, for the said change to translate to development as perceived, not only the leaders but Nigerians must compliment the effort of the leaders in aligning self with the famous saying of Mahatma Ghandi “…be the change you want to see”. And so in the light of that, Nigerians must change their orientation and see themselves as valued stakeholders in the change movement. When Lagos State embarked on the change drive that is now visible for all to see today, it took the foresight and brevity of Sen. Bola Tinubu’s strategic planning and the visionary leadership style of Babatunde Raji Fashola, complimented by the acceptability and believe of Lagosians to achieve. They equally made sacrifices in this regard, even though at first it really didn’t went that well, particularly, in the area of tax remittance and adhering to changing penal codes and ethics.
Also, considering the shortfall and unstable nature of oil prices in the global oil market, the security challenges facing the nation amidst other plethora of challenges, Nigerians must be seen to react positively towards this moment of trial that puts our collective resolve for change and development to test. Collectivism should be the mantra, we must come to term with the fact the APC has no magic wand to swipe away these challenges overnight. Nigerians should reflect upon this each time they chant “Sai Chanji” again, are we ready to pay for the cost of change? If development is the resultant effect of change, are Nigerians ready to succumb to the series of drastic measures that are expected for change or are Nigerians ready to work together with their leaders for change to translate to development? These are fundamental questions that every Nigerian must reflect upon if the greater glory of Nigeria’s change will come and development will be achieved.
Finally, in the words of Senator, Ben Murray Bruce “four years is only enough time to fix Nigeria. Any time spent on other venture is time taken from this most important assignments.” For this reason, I would say to President Muhammadu Buhari that, there is no time to allow himself to be drawn into the game of vendetta reasoning with his predecessor or its associate. Admittedly, some personal jibes were hauled at him during the electioneering period on the media, he should consider it as the price for change. But the truth be told, none of this shallow thinking served the interest of Nigerians and as such Buhari must look past this and rather than focus on vengeful mission, he should look beyond the bitterness. Accomplishments first before mistakes of his predecessors, not everything that the past administration did was a complete flaw, credit must be accorded it where necessary. We must at this point in our political history start looking beyond the politics of rancor and bitterness. Now is time for the General to martial up a road map for the restoration of Nigeria’s glory along with the best set of brains the country can boast of at this point in time, if change is to set the country back on course to its self-realization and development.
AL-PHAROOK MUHAMMAD BLOG 