₦airaland Forum

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

The appellation, ‘Father of the Nation’ is commonly used for the first President of an independent country or statesmen who made enormous sacrifices for the attainment of independence for their nation, especially from firm grip of colonial rule, with some paying the supreme price to make sure the dream was actualised.

Former leaders who were given this honorific title were Mahatma Ghandi of India, a notable nationalist who fought for his country’s independence from British colonial rule; President George Washington of the United States and former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, whose efficient leadership helped transform Singapore from a chaotic British colonial backwater into one of the world’s most prosperous and orderly states.

It is also not out of place for the title to be used for serving Presidents. This is because the President or Head of State is expected to cater for the affairs of the entire nation, just like a responsible father does to the needs of his children. The President as Commander-in-Chief is expected to defend the nation both from internal and external aggression; he is expected to administer justice and equity to everyone, irrespective of whether they voted for him or not, unify the nation and show empathy to all during the period of crisis.

Since the return of Nigeria to democratic rule in 1999, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari have been referred to as the father of the nation.

However, major actions from President Buhari who is currently in his second term has left many wondering if indeed he is worthy of the appellation.

From his appointments, which many believe does not reflect Federal Character principle and is skewed in favour of the North, anti-people policies and lately, his refusal to honour the invitation by the National Assembly, who are the representatives of Nigerians on steps being taken by his administration to tackle the insecurity challenges in the country have made a lot of Nigerians wonder if truly President Buhari is the father of the nation.

Another talking point among Nigerians is the refusal of the President to pay visits to disaster scenes for first-hand view and commiserate with the victims and their families. In March 2018, it took the president 10 weeks to visit Benue state after the New Year’s Day massacre of innocent farmers in Logo and Guma local government areas and several other killings in the state. Many believed that the president was forced to pay the visit after widespread criticisms from Nigerians, especially from socio-cultural groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and others.

After the explosion in the Abule Ado area of Lagos state in March which claimed at least 17 lives and destroyed more than 50 buildings, the President failed to visit the scene of the incident to ascertain the magnitude of destruction and commiserate with the victims like a loving father will do, despite the fact that he was not outside the country when the incident occurred.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had to visit the President in Aso Villa with pictures of the explosion. In a post on his twitter handle, the governor wrote “Today, I met with HE President @MBuhari to brief him on the unfortunate incident at Abule Ado.The core plan is to provide relief, rebuild the affected areas and avoid future occurrence.”

Also, in the aftermath of destructions that trailed the #EndSARS protest in Lagos, the President also failed to visit the state despite clamour by many Nigerians that he should. Again, Governor Sanwo- Olu went to Aso Villa with pictorial reports which he showed the President.

Sunday Aghaeze, the Personal Assistant to the President (Photography), in a tweet said “The governor presented a report on the extent of the destruction suffered by Lagos State in the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests”.

Also, the President came under verbal attacks on social media following a video showing him visiting his farm in Daura, Katsina State, few days after a large number of students of Government Boys Science Secondary School in Kankara Local Government Area of the state were kidnapped.

The President who is currently in Katsina, his home state where the abduction occurred, has not visited the scene of the crime or the parents of the abducted students which . He only sent a delegation comprising his service chiefs.

Speaking with our correspondent, Faith Akindola, a legal practitioner said the President, through his actions has failed to prove that indeed he is the father of the nation. According to him, the President’s style is clear departure from what obtains during the reign of his predecessors.

“It is appalling to say the least. As a president who is alive to his responsibilities, I don’t think you need to be cajoled or begged to visit victims of calamities in order to show empathy, fatherly support and give them reassurance”.

“I remembered that during the Ikeja cantonment bomb blast in January 2002, President Obasanjo visited the scene promptly. If I can recollect, the incident happened on Sunday evening and Obasanjo visited on Monday. That is leadership and that is how a true father of the nation behaves” he said.

Also speaking, Olawale Olaleye a public affairs commentator and journalist in an article titled ‘This Nigerian President’ wrote “President Muhammadu Buhari is by every definition an error of choice, which happened on the country through intentional and collective stupidity – largely so. But that’s no longer a concern for a majority of the people. At least, many are now convinced his lack of capacity for everything and anything is innate and of course, irredeemable”.

What is, however, considered the real tragedy are those privileged to see his helpless failings from many vantage positions but still stick to their guns at national expense. “We dey with Baba”, they often glibly say, even though they will all pay for their hypocrisy and immodesty in due course. Narcissistic lot!”

“The current state of play is nothing but Darwinian and it cuts across all levels. When leadership lacks empathy, it has nothing, ultimately. Even worse, a colourless and uninspiring one. What you see now is the same Buhari of yesterday, today and forever. He changes not and delights in who he is. He’s incorrigibly self-serving!”

“His government isn’t just broken, it is damaged for good. This administration embodies failure, unenviably. It is grand! Posterity is, in fact, bewildered at such crass incompetence. How do you even deal with an arrogant, emotionless, rigid, yet, inane leadership? There may be nothing esoteric about governance, certainly, not with a clueless and aloof leadership”.

“For the Buhari presidency, there’ll be no untold angle to its stories of many misadventures. The opportunities missed are deliberate. Rather, it will end up with a familiar footnote: A Disaster Foretold!

President Buhari, the bitter truth is that any support for you at this time, from whatever quarters, is utterly misplaced, unpatriotic, a national disservice and unforgivable. Indeed, it is punishable in the hereafter”.

“You’ve had all the time, opportunities and privileges to change the Nigerian story, but sadly, you just couldn’t give what you do not have. Going forward, only Nigeria deserves all the prayers, not the Buhari leadership”.

Isn’t it pertinent to therefore ask: for how long shall the country and her people continue this way, even post the Buhari presidency?

Also bemoaning the President’s apathy towards insecurity in the country, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere in its last communiqué raised the alarm that the country has become ungovernable and therefore on the brink of collapse.
“To President Buhari it’s a time to get up and secure Nigeria and allow a federal architecture that promotes homeland security. Being the commander-in – chief can’t be a title with no responsibility” the organisation said.
https://www.independent.ng/is-buhari-worthy-of-father-of-the-nation-appellation/

hmmm

He is limited by old age

bolaayenimo:
He is limited by old age

Is it old age stopping him from rejiggling the military?

As he is now, so was he in 1983 when he was military head of state.

Those that helped him to power weren't expecting any Sterling performance from him but for their own selfish agenda.

Just prolly they weren't expecting his failure to be abysmal.

Absolutely not.Buhari is only a father to his cherished cattle and fellow corrupt cronies within his circle of trust.
He give no hoot about anyone outside this range even his zombified followers.

Nepotistic father of the minority fulani nation.

Person wey no fit control him wife wan control a whole country. So funny

A father dat cares little or even shows no form of empathy for his children dat one na father? Children were kidnapped in his home state and he couldn't go there himself, how fatherly is dat?

It's too early to wail, children of these days

"...This Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is by every definition an error of choice, which happened on the country through intentional and collective stupidity...At least, many are now convinced his lack of capacity for everything and anything is innate and of course, irredeemable....."

[s]

Afamed:
It's too early to wail, children of these days

[/s]What's however considered the real tragedy are those privileged to see his helpless failings from many vantage positions but still stick to their guns at national expense. “We dey with Baba”, they often glibly say, even though they will all pay for their hypocrisy and immodesty in due course. Narcissistic lot!”

After 6 years in power

Afamed:
It's too early to wail, children of these days

bolaayenimo:
He is limited by old age

Ask your head this question: Should your destiny be tied to a man that is limited by old age?

Who is going to suffer from his age limitations? His family or your family?

Do you sensless hailers ever take time to use your Brains in thinking at all?

Afamed:
It's too early to wail, children of these days

To tell you how useless you are, Aisha Buhari travels with her kids, but they never even consider taking you and your family along.

You are just a useless, dispensable pawn. Your life doesn't mean shiit to them.

Didn't you vote for him in 2015 and 2019

freeborn02:
Ask your head this question: Should your destiny be tied to a man that is limited by old age?

Who is going to suffer from his age limitations? His family or your family?

Do you sensless hailers ever take time to use your Brains in thinking at all?

bolaayenimo:
Didn't you vote for him in 2015 and 2019

I didn't. Because I knew he didn't have what it takes to lead. I knew this since 2013/2014.

Buhari left all the signs of a failure everywhere, but tribalism pushed many Nigerians into blindness.

Not tribalism really. Many thought GEJ was worse

freeborn02:
I didn't. Because I knew he didn't have what it takes to lead. I knew this since 2013/2014.

Buhari left all the signs of a failure everywhere, but tribalism pushed many Nigerians into blindness.

bolaayenimo:
Not tribalism really. Many thought GEJ was worse

Please state what areas where GEJ was worse. Don't run away from this question.

He is not father enough in his family not to talk of the nation

you too you know GEJ was clueless then and so many impunity in his PDP party. Only that Buhari was worse-r.

freeborn02:
Please state what areas where GEJ was worse. Don't run away from this question.

hisexcellency34:
you too you know GEJ was clueless then and so many impunity in his PDP party. Only that Buhari was worse-r.

Yes, GEJ really disappointed me. I expected better from him, especially with the way they squandered security money. It is disgusting.

I expected Buhari to be better, but nah opposite of better we get from am.

He messed up big time

freeborn02:
Yes, GEJ really disappointed me. I expected better from him, especially with the way they squandered security money. It is disgusting.

I expected Buhari to be better, but nah opposite of better we get from am.

Buhari is The Father of Cows.

he is not what to be called my father! God forbid bad thing.

Ask Google

Let him ask you nah...APC apologist

Okoroawusa:
Ask Google

nairavsdollars:
Let him ask you nah...APC apologist

No vex..

PDP apologist

He is the father of Nigeria and Aisha is our mummy. Whether you like it or not

amakadlite:
he is not what to be called my father! God forbid bad thing.