There have been no dull moments in Nigeria as the outgoing year is full of interesting issues. Here are some.


Buhari’s medical vacation

The medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari in London, spending 103 days in the process, was a national discourse which occupied the country. It was more disturbing when he was kept incommunicado for a very long time and the ailment was never disclosed. He left the country on May 7, and returned on August 19. This long stay overshadowed the earlier medical vacation the president embarked on from January 19 to March 10, 2017.

However, despite the tension the long absence generated, the fact that a letter was transmitted to the Senate giving notice for the trip and appointing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as acting president greatly doused the tension.

Senate rejects Magu

The Senate hinged its action on a report from the Directorate of State Security (DSS) that the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, allegedly lacked integrity and therefore refused to confirm him. The presidency had in January resubmitted Magu’s name after he was rejected earlier.

The issue generated a lot of controversy as it was believed that there were two reports from the DSS, one endorsing Magu’s capacity, the other stating he was not fit to occupy such position.

See full list @ http://www.betatalk.com.ng/2017/12/2017-in-retrospect-issues-that-made-headline-betatalk-naija/

Aside from those,

Buharis APC govt generated more negative and controversial issues more than expected in 2017, due to the incompetence and stubbornness of the President.
1. Bias stance in addressing the Herdsmen issues: The yr 2017 witnessed sporadic activities of the herdsmen in attacking, killing, raping and ravaging of several communities Nationwide. Despite several calls for the FG to address the issue, President Buhari govt has kept mumb and failed to address the issue. His indecisive stance is said to be due to his position as Grand Patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle herders group.
2. Lack of Commitment and clear Bias in tackling Corruption: The Buhari APC govt won the 2015 election on the basis of the promise to tackle corruption. But since coming to power, the fight against corruption has been clearly bias. The opposition has been target in the fight against corruption, while the Buhari govt has been neck deep in corruption &its government officials indicted are neither arrested or prosecuted.
3. Unilateral decision in appropriating and expending federal funds.
4. Non accounting of recovered loots:
5: Failure to address Petroleum sector corruption and irregularities despite being the Petroleum Minister.
6. The lingering fuel crisis despite increase pump price and deregulation.
7. Petrol subsidy claims: This is one time bomb that the Buhari govt has ignited and which might possibly consume the govt come 2018. The claims that the govt had been paying out petroleum subsidies after it claimed the subsidies had been removed is one that raises eye brows about the honesty of the govt, and of course its penchant to take unilateral decisions without approval of the National Assembly. This might cost the govt when the National Assembly decides to tackles it.