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

Market women

Ops u are absolutely right, i understand yr point of view but for me;

let the government of GMB focus on erradicating d hardship faced by dis ordinary Nigerian by instituting good governance, provide basic aminities, improve d quality & standard of living of these people dat voted him.

i think if he does dis then, it will b a big 'thanks' which every one will feel appreciated.

more grease to your elbow my Generel.
God bless GMB & his team as they pilot d affairs of dis country.

Op have you made the attempt to visit him and he turn you down? While you are here finding faults to hang him, the trekkers are commoners like you and the pictures are there to proof how they were receive by Buhari. Please go to Abuja to visit Buhari, he will welcome you.