However, the view among Nigerians is that to complete the qualities that would truly make him that Leader in whom Nigerians would be justly proud, PMB needs to also adopt fairness and equity in all that he does. The 1999 Constitution of the Republic prescribes these for whoever is a Leader at any level. Moreover, at his eventful inauguration, The President raised hopes on these when he declared that he would be President of all Nigerians by belonging to all and no one in particular! Everything possible has to be done to ensure that the mention of the name Buhari, brings smiles in equal measure to the faces of all Nigerian citizens irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation. That way the brand Buhari, and the Change that he represents would not only endure but be sought after when he must have left the stage.
A careful analysis of the actions and moves of President Muhammadu Buhari since he came to power on May 29, 2015, shows a political leader who has been transformed. Buhari’s reputation as a leader was hinged on the fact that he is a disciplinarian, Mr. Integrity and a no-nonsense personality who would not hesitate to send any corrupt or fraudulent person to jail. Much of this characterisation of the President was made by both the media and those who remember the action of the military government that he headed with the late Brigadier-General Tunde Idiagbon. Before Buhari took over then with late Idiagbon as deputy, Nigeria had come to a sorry pass and was sick. It did not take long when they took over for majority of Nigerians to heave a sigh of relief because the actions and moves of that government kept everyone on their toes.
Today’s Buhari, is no less a disciplinarian and a man of action. The point is that unlike in late 1983, he is now, a much older person, operates in a democratic set-up with checks and balances and where decisions and policies are made with consensus and the Constitution in mind.
While President Buhari remains a disciplinarian and no-nonsense person, qualities that have been impacting on the disposition of Nigerians in all walks of life since May 29, 2015, the Buhari of today is a more caring, considerate and empathic person. These qualities means that the President’s love for the nation and its people now finds expression in other ways than merely arresting people and clamping them into prison. In this second coming of this accomplished soldier and political leader, criminals and enemies of the country who participated in the present pauperisation of the Nigerian people may only go to jail if they fail to take the opportunities provided by the transformed Buhari for restitution. For example, President Buhari has set up an anti-corruption committee to deal with the deep-seated corruption that has brought our country to its knees by providing opportunity for people who have defrauded the country to come forward and explain themselves. The committee has already sent out invitations to those who know they have cases to answer to appear before it of their free-will and get fair hearing, failing which they would have themselves to blame if the government has to come after them! Continue reading on AllAfrica…
