Just as most people continue to carp, have the Buhari Government done a lot since it has been in power. Are there more hits than misses. Tho the change intention is clean and roadmaps being laid, its not OK until its implemented. This should be time for implementation
As the countdown begins for 2019, there has been a deluge of ground reports, surveys, opinion polls, ratings, analyses etc on Buhari’s performance.
Other parties, on expected lines, would be coming up with charge-sheets and allegations dismissing Buhari’s tenure as dismal. From inflation, sidelining to nepotism to dictatorship, the Government would be attacked for its alleged acts of omission and commission, inability to deliver on promise, and what not. Today I know generous critics may opine that two year is too less for me to assess the performance of a Government which had promised virtually a governance overhaul, I mean total CHANGE.
The fact remains that there has been change, which is visible to any discerning and impartial umpire. More than anything else, it is the restoration of the integrity of the president and not the country’s leadership which has given a sense of conscious and subconscious confidence to the people at large, a trust that there is someone up there who is watching, somebody who will respond and somebody who has the capacity to rise up to the manifold challenges, tho a little bit of confusion is drawning near unto him, I pray he overcomes it.
This Buhari proactive presence was not only visible abroad but in Nigeria. Just like in the past, Buhari does not visit the remotest and far-flung areas, he is a travelling president, he should just set up a ” Change committe” to survey how far the change is being meted on the populace.
The centre did not waste a moment in responding to the needs of State Governments, whether during this dwindling allocation problem, the IDPs in parts of the country or power. The state Governors are still oweing backlogs of salaries, change seems to become suffering to people of some state, bailout actually landed in the wrong hand side pocket in most states, anticorruption war should reach this angle too.
Of course, political parties, Civil movement particularly the regional ones, will continue to demand more, but even the harshest critics of Buhari Government will concede that Centre-State relations have improved over the last one year.
While Government publicists and spokespersons will be coming out with defence on statistics on GDP, inflation, industrial production etc, for the common man, more than anything else it is only the social security amenities rolled out by the Government over the last two year, which can gives a ray of hope.
Things are slowly changing.
In independent Nigeria history, no other Government has come out with as many innovative schemes and coinages such as this present ones but few are being implemented.
Not a single corruption charge has been adjudicated or proved against arrested alleged looters except for media trials, how far is the corruption war?
Allegations made against looters in this government by certain vested interests, mostly substantiated or proved right are subsequently left to rest, is the war against corruption not dead on arrival?
Let’s see how it turns out by 2019.
Yes, the amnesty policies, which were so sickening in the past regime, is no more in vogue.
Gone are the days of chew bread parties and cosmetic benefits to minorities. Seems a lot of cosmetic Benefit is going to the North-East, something must change!
The hunger avengers are being visible day in, day out, rice is pilling up, foods are being stored for distribution. Undoubtedly, much remains to be done. The journey of a thousand miles has only taken a few baby steps. Many of the programmes announced are yet to become visible at the ground level for the people at large. There are perceptions which are radically different from, or even contradictory to, reality. There is a feeling that there is more talk and less of action. There is a view that president should do well to spend more time back home.
There is a perspective that Public figuring has become dominant. There are apprehensions that ideology may be compromised with for political convenience. There is a prediction that the Opposition may get stronger. There are doubts that loyalists may not be rewarded as appointments goes to opposition politicians. The fears and apprehensions are not those of critics alone but also friends, admirers and well-wishers.
Yet, almost half a term gone, I still can’t pass a verdict on Buhari. The broad indications are positive but a lot more needs to be done. The communication gap must be bridged. Leaders and appointees will have to fan out to every nook and corner to ensure that the benefits reach the people they are meant for, that awareness is created about the schemes and programmes implemented.
Implementation is the key to the success of programmes announced so far. They have the potential to be game changers provided they are executed in letter and spirit. It is now or never. People are willing to wait since they saw the intent. With a resurgent opposition building up and the current party in power disintegrating, the days ahead would be crucial not only for the Government, but also the country.

written in 2016 by Micheal Adebola Adeniyi @9jaclicktivist

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