Ever since the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) declared General Muhammadu
Buhari the winner of the 2015 President Election,
500 or more dignitaries have either visited him at
his country home or his temporary residence in
Abuja.

The photographs are there for all to see: dignitaries
from around the country and around the world.
That’s good, very good! But it is time we see
pictures of students, market women, okada-drivers,
the disabled, farmers and fishermen and everyday
Nigerians visit the in-coming president.
Considering the number of highly-placed visitors
the President-elect has received, I suggest that he
find time and space to host 50 or more everyday
Nigerians. It is a democratic tradition that when
you win an election, you invite representatives of
your foot soldiers for a “Thank You” chat; or you
go visit them to say thank you. In other words,
after you win, you meet with your supporters to
say “thanks” and there are usually photo-ops, too.
Image and perception matters! You want to show
that you are grateful. You want to show that you
will never forget them. You want to show that you
are on their side. You want them to believe that
you will fight for their interest. You want them to
have a sense of belonging and ownership. So, four
years hence, the same group of people will not
only join your army, they will recruit others to join.
And so I ask: where are the representatives of the
youths who spent countless days and nights and
resources contributing to General Muhammadu
Buhari’s historic victory. Where are the people who
walked the walk, talked the talk and went to the
polling stations to get things done? We want to see
the President-elect meet with their
“representatives.” He should go to them, or invite
them!
I repeat: there is nothing wrong with the
President-elect meeting with bigwigs. Absolutely
nothing! They have a role to play in the growth
and development of our country. However, the
everyday Nigerians have a greater stake in our
collective destiny, in nation-building. When
dignitaries begin to throw tantrum because their
demands are not met, it is the people – everyday
people – that the President would turn to for
support and understanding and sacrifice.
In the last couple of days and weeks, we’ve seen
and read about how some bigwigs have been
positioning and repositioning themselves. What did
they contribute to this epoch-making era? But now
they are joining the victory lap. Frankly, many of
the pictures in the public domain elicit concern.
Even so, I have trust in the ability of the President-
elect (and his inner circle) to distance many of
these new-found friends and supporters from the
corridors of power.
Nigerians sent several messages to the President-
elect. But one is clearer than every other message.
And that is that we cannot go back to the old ways
of doing things. Buhari He talked about change. He
invoked the spirit of change. And the people
believed him; they bought into his idea. All I am
suggesting is for the President-elect to meet with
a cross section of everyday Nigerians. That’s all!
Sabidde@yahoo.com

Hear hear!!

Buhari have no time for poor people, the reality would soon hit his supporters.

Interestingly, Buhari has promised us change, and anything short of that change, Nigerians will not accept or even tolerate from him. He should hit the ground and start working on the day of his inauguration.
Buhari must give Nigerians change in the comatose power sector. We are tired of living in perpetual darkness and gradually going blind and deaf from the fumes and noise of generating sets.
To accelerate national development, Buhari and his team must provide change in the security of lives and property, health, education, good roads, pipe-borne water and other social amenities that will help ameliorate the daily sufferings of millions of Nigerians, who are constantly dying from hunger and frustrations.
This is paramount and non-negotiable, if they really meant the word-CHANGE.

I like this thread. Forward thinkers only.

Mogidi:
Hear hear!!

Buhari have no time for poor people, the reality would soon hit his supporters.

Infact the attention he will give his cow won't be compared to that of the poor

Aitee1:


Infact the attention he will give his cow won't be compared to that of the poor

Chai! Chai! Chai!

Since Buhari won the election, I have moved from being a spectator to being an activator.

I have spent sleepless nights preparing irresistible legitimate multi-billion Naira business proposal to present to the incoming President and Governors after entering into alliance with some incorruptible partners and banks.

Don't be there shouting and cursing rich people, use your brain and try your luck to belong.