"The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision"

~Maimonides

I believe every new government deserves a Grace Period. A time frame to overcome inertia, put its house in order, develop a policy statement without undermining prevailing circumstances in the polity. Selecting capable hands to pursue its policies, clean the "mess" of the outgoing administration if any and settle down fully to the business of governance. Within this period, obvious gaffes from the government can be overlooked, they can be spared of strong criticisms and pampered to gain confidence to steer the ship of the nation. These concessions are within the context of "ceteris paribus".

The resurgence of Boko Haram activities with its attendant loss of innocent lives, destruction of properties and fear in the populace has altered the status quo and automatically ended the grace period the new government was enjoying. Issues of Insecurity, Economy and Corruptions were the three major points the APC based its campaigns on. The last administration inability to tackle these issues with the urgency it needed led to its ouster. The inauguration of the new government took place on May 29th, 2015.

Nigerians waited with bated breath to see how the new government would tackle these pressing issues. They hope to enjoy true changes for the first time in 16years of its democracy, but events in the last 42 days has started raising question about the direction of the new government. The inability of the new government to form a cabinet has created uncertainty in the polity. Investors are still watching and waiting; a cursory look at the decline in the stock market gives credence to this fact. The Naira to Dollar rate is at its lowest in the Nation's history. Economically, the nation is on standstill.

Some pundits are of the opinion that the government can do without ministers. They base their argument on the fact that even without a cabinet the government has been running, this argument is laughable. The Nigerian polity is tailored in a way that it can even run on autopilot. There will always be motion, but having movement is what matters. Ministers are needed to coordinate activities in the various ministries in order to bring the policies of a government to fruition. There is a limit to what permanent secretaries can do.

Ministerial appointment is also a constitutional requirement. Although, the time frame to make such appointments was not explicitly stated in the Nigerian constitution, but their appointments and importance cannot be undermined. The delay in forming a cabinet has left many in doubt especially political circles; this is also responsible for the many internal wrangling in the polity. Even the secretary to the government of the federation is yet to be named despite its importance.

Today, Boko Haram insurgents who had earlier been routed out of Nigerian territory now carry out simultaneous attacks in the country with impunity leaving death, blood, pains and ruins in its trail, reminisce of the heydays of insurgency. What are the new government security policy and/or marshal plan to end or curtail this resurgence? More often, the presidency releases a statement that the insurgents will be crushed. But then release another statement that they will negotiate with the insurgents.

This flip-flop approach was the path the previous government took and paid dearly for it. The fight against terrorism no doubt requires a multi-disciplinary approach, but without taking a firm decision on how to kill the cancer, we will keep moving in circles. Is the government continuing with the policy of the previous administration? If no, why is the present government retaining the NSA and service chiefs of the previous administration? Suffice to say that the present government criticized their handling of the insurgency? So why still retain them? What has changed? These are the questions in the mind of Nigerians home and abroad.

Other decisions and/or indecision of the present government during the grace period can be excused or rationalized but the security of lives and properties of its citizens, which is its foremost responsibility, can never be overlooked. Boko Haram has ended Buhari's honeymoon. These recent attacks has brought to fore the urgency of having a competent cabinet to pilot the affairs of the nation. Fighting insurgency is not a piece of cake, every hand must be on deck, and every arm and apparatus of governance must function at its highest ebb to achieve meaningful progress.

Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari must realize that he is viewed as the most prepared president in Nigerian's history. Apart from the fact that he has ruled this nation before, he contested for the office of the president four consecutive times. It would have been better if he had lost again and join the league of the "best president Nigeria never had" than to win and fail especially with the huge expectations in the nation. His delayed decisions/indecision is causing a lot of uncertainty in the polity and that is a luxury we cannot afford at this time. We need to know the direction of the new government to guide our expectations and give support where necessary.

May God guide the President

God Bless Nigeria

Source: The FCT Post - http://www.fctpost.com/2015/07/10/mr-president-the-honeymoon-is-over/

CC: Lalasticlala - Front page please

FTC Abi oo. Let us start seeing ur work

reading...

who read d whole piece?

Just as Gen Muhammadu Buhari just discovered that the military road blocks he ordered to be dismantled was a loophole & needed to be addressed & reinstated.

Hahahahahhaha Just passing ooo! Followe on Twitter @richardngene

hahahaa

I pray and hope that this government will turn out to be the best we've ever experienced...

THESE SO CALLED WANNABE SHOULD LEAVE Mr PRESIDENT ALONE, HE EVEN STARTED WORK BEFORE MAY 29


NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL A SERIOUS PRESIDENT

In one MONTH Buhari, has done more than GEJ did in 2 Years.

we would have experience the real change if he had been elected something around 2007/2011 when there is peace, and now everything has turned upside down, and we expect the damage which began 16yrs ago to be repaired just two months in his administration. PMB, still kinda believe in you...ride on!!

Still reading...

Not yet till #thefullnessoftime

Sai Baba, Sai Buhari

The goal of a great leader is to help people think more highly of them selves! Give us the cause to believe in you

...and if Baba change the "HONEY" to bitter and the "MOON" for sun (I.e. BITTER SUN) na u will be the first person to say #Babayouaretooharsh#

.

An article too long for me to read. Anyway, i believe its high time the president got down to work.


wwwaftatech.com

How many open letters to PMB? abeg make dem free baba besides most of them didnot even supported him during the last election.

Nice write up.

I don't expect Buhari to fight boko haram, rather I'm even waiting for him to grant them amnesty.

How can anyone expect him to fight boko haram after saying all these.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/buhari-military-offensive-against-boko-haram-anti-north/149256

Ok


Following

noted

HungerBAD:
In one MONTH Buhari, has done more than GEJ did in 2 Years.

Abi.

amazingspiderma:
In my opinion as a general he does not need another lecture on governance,admistration and delegation.
It should come natural to him,the delay is giving us cause for concern,lot of business decisions will depend on it and businesses don't like uncertainty.They thrive with policies.
Lastly I believe just like in the previous administration that the office of the presidency can fire any minister if needed.
Procastination is simply trying to begin as a professional starter.
I join the op to question the delay,we have to move forward as nation.It is a four years jorney.
A good write up.Thanks again.

Well said! Time for action is now....

Make una give PMB breathing Space

our next fixed games will be tomorrow saturday 11/07/15 contact 07061951982 on WhatsApp also check our BBM channel: C00215CCF

Failure at conception, the risk of the grace consequences of a wrong decision would always be far worse than the patience of waiting

START YOUR DAY WITH THIS SONG, KEEP HOPE ALIVE, YOU WILL SUCCEED BEYOND HUMAN EXPECTATIONS LOVE Y'ALL https://www.hulkshare.com/generaliy07/ireti

I don't know why I just luv the word wailing wailers.. I also like to read comments from d wailing wailers.. My tanoid friends a.k.a. THE WAILiNG WAILERS how market??

The more U WAIL the more surprises u get from baba

Baba pls don't mind the wailing wailers joh

Wailing Wailers what a sweet word

Djdollar, is that you