•Plead he fights hunger too, not
only corruption •Past govt failed to save for rainy day—FG •Says genuine effort
being made to revamp economy By Chidi Nkwopara, Luka Binniyat, Samuel
Oyadongha, Jimitota Onoyume, Peter Duru, Daud Olatunji, Suzan Edeh, Francis
Igata & Abudulsalam Muhammad In the twilight of the Goodluck Jonathan-led
Peoples Democratic Party administration, Nigerians lamented that they had never
had it that bad. The challenges confronting them appeared insurmountable. There
was pervasive corruption that threatened to sweep away the entire nation.
Insurgents were having a field day in the north, declaring their own republic
within the Federal Republic of Nigeria and annexing towns and villages while
the government looked helpless. There was massive unemployment and the energy
sector was in comatose with unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power
shortages.BUHARI-NIGERIA The generality of Nigerians, with the exception of
those who were directly benefiting from the government of the day were totally
disillusioned. They cried for change and yearned for a messiah that would
restore sanity in the land. When the former military ruler, General Muhammadu
Buhari therefore emerged the presidential candidate of the then opposition All
Progressives Congress, APC, there was wild jubilation in many parts of the
country. For someone who hated corruption with a passion, Buhari was seen as
the only person who could fight corruption to a standstill. He was known for
his fight against indiscipline when he was military head of state. With his
large following and his pedigree, his victory at the presidential polls in
April 2015 was not a surprise. He had tremendous goodwill both at home and
abroad. Alluding to this in his inaugural speech on May 29 2015, President
Buhari said “my fellow Nigerians I can not recall when Nigeria enjoyed so much
goodwill abroad as now. The messages I received from East and West, from
powerful and small countries are indicative of international expectations on
us. At home the newly elected government is basking in a reservoir of goodwill
and high expectations”. To whom much is given, much is therefore expected.
Nigerians expected President Muhammadu Buhari to hit the ground running. The
president himself promised to tackle the challenges head on. “Nigerians will
not regret that they have entrusted national responsibility to us. We must not
succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. We can fix our problems”, Buhari
declared in his inaugural speech. One year after assuming office however,
Nigerians have expressed total disappointment in his administration. They are
agonising that they have not felt the desired change they voted for in
President Buhari. Great efforts have been made to curtail insurgency and the
government deserves huge commendation for that. The fight against corruption is
well appreciated but it appears targeted at politicians only as the customs,
the police, the civil servants are still corrupt. It is still business as usual
in so many sectors. There is a groundswell of criticisms of the government’s
response to the economic crisis which led to increase in prices, growing
unemployment, job losses, pay cuts and owed salaries. Even President Mohammadu
Buhari’s ardent supporters like fiery Catholic Priest, Ejike Mbaka are
commending him for the fight against corruption but accusing him of not equally
responding to an economic emergency that has left many families struggling or
unable to feed. Mbaka, in a sermon to his congregation on July 23, said “hunger
is everywhere. As the president is fighting corruption, some of us are praying
that he will equally fight hunger. The landlords are crying, tenants are
lamenting. Sellers are crying, buyers are lamenting. Many students are being
rusticated from school because they can’t pay school fees. Proprietors are
distressed. Many companies are winding up. The economy is hard”. Nigerians
across the country agree with the Catholic Priest who however maintains that
the blame of today’s condition should go to the Jonathan administration.
Nigerians are now saying that what they are experiencing now is not the CHANGE
they bargained for, that they have been deceived by the APC government that led
them out of the biblical Egypt and the government has now abandoned them in the
wilderness to die of hunger and misery. We sought the views of many Nigerians
especially the commoners. And their common saying is that the Buhari CHANGE has
not brought the expected change but gloom. Salisu Saidu, bricklayer, Kaduna
state “I used to make about N1,500 to N2000 everyday I went out to site, and
there was plenty of work up to 2015. We thought we were suffering even at that
time and I was a strong supporter of APC. Today, I cannot believe what I am
going through. I am a Muslim, my religion forbids lies. The two men I
supported, Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir el-Rufai were supposed to abide by this
rule. But, I can tell you that it is unfortunate that they have not tell us the
truth. For the past one month, I have got only four jobs and the pay was below
N1,500. People are not building anymore and prices of foodstuff are getting out
of hand. It is very sad, that Muslims would be like this. I had to argue with
my Iman the other day, when he kept saying that we should be patient and I
asked ‘should we be patient until we die?’ Idris Makama, butcher, modern
market, Kaduna state “I am very sure that baba Buhari means well for this
country. Yes, there is suffering, no doubt, because even in my business you can
see that. The only problem Baba has is that he has allowed very wicked people
who were formerly in the PDP to close his eyes. But, if you look at the way he
is arresting those who stole our money, you will know that there is hope for
this country. I’m sure that things will improve. Bad aides and former PDP
members in APC today are the problem, not Buhari. I expect him to sack them and
bring people who have the genuine love of Nigerians.” Shegun Akinola, Barber,
Waff road, Kaduna state “Look, Buhari did not go to school. There is no man
with simple education that will not be able to know that you cannot just give
appointments to your brothers and friends in a country of 170 million people in
36 states. That is why he is not able to understand simple advice on how the
economy works. He thinks everything is by force. As a graduate, I have been
living fairly well in this barbing business, because of my location and because
people came here not only to barb, but to also buy clippers and perfumes here.
But since these people came to power, I’m now regretting not having a formal
job. Patronage has dropped badly, and my wife is worried that we may not be
able to pay our rent this year. They say he is fighting corruption. Let him
fight hunger first, let him provide security too. Let him stop selection in
fighting corruption, let him do something about the value of the Naira, jobs
etc. Everyday prices of things keep going up and there is even no money to buy
them. I’m very angry, sir.” Hassana Awolu, Food vendor, Kano road, Kaduna state
“I don’t like talking about Baba Buhari, because if you are not careful people
will insult you anyhow. There was a day that I quarrelled with my husband and
he almost beat me up in the presence of the children. He was one of those who
campaigned for Buhari, but now he hates to hear that name. As for me, I love
Buhari. He is a honest man and he does not care about the things of this world.
We are suffering now because Goodluck Jonathan left so many problems for this
honest old man, and he did not know that the problem is this much. We should be
praying for him and not abusing and cursing him. At the beginning we shall
suffer, but in the end we shall enjoy. I don’t want to lose hope on him.
Because, if Baba Buhari is not there, I don’t see anyone that is good enough
for this country. The change will surely come”. Grace Onyebuchi, food and
drinks vendor, Kakuri, Kaduna state “I beg sir, don’t ask any question about
that man. Are you not in this country to see what is going on? Since my husband
died five years ago, this business of selling drinks has been feeding me and my
children. I used to have five girls working here, apart from the woman who
prepares my pepper soup in the afternoon and leaves. I paid each one of them,
N10,000 every month, apart from giving them transport money. It was from this
business that I completed the house which my husband started before he died in
2014. But now I can barely pay two girls, and I have to stop the woman from
coming. I now prepare the pepper soup myself. From selling about 50 cartons of
assorted drinks everyday, I now manage to sell five, and many people are owing
me. I could sell 50 plates of pepper soup, Nkwobi, Goat Head before but now if
I sell ten plates, then it is a good day. Governor El-Rufai is not paying
workers, business is not moving for many people and food is too costly. Is it
not when you eat that you can afford to drink? If things continue like this up till
next year people will die like flies. I hate APC now” Tabitha Markus, Trader,
Sabo Tasha market, Kaduna state “In 1984, I was nursing my four months old
first baby, Kazah when Buhari and Idiagbon removed Shagari from power. I cannot
ever remember being so hungry like in those days. We would queue for hours and
days just to buy milk, rice and bread and there were soldiers flogging us. That
year, people were stealing other people’s food while it was being cooked. I
told these young boys shouting “change! Changi Changi!” that Buhari would bring
hunger, but they would not listen. I can see another 1984 coming again. People
are suffering. My shop is full of goods, I cannot sell, because people don’t
have money. Please help us tell the president that people are dying of hunger.”
Dr. Ben Tantua, Teacher, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state “The present slogan of Change
is rather a situation of bad to worse economy. There is high inflation rate
coupled with the exchange rate of Naira to the Dollar now fluctuating between
350 and 400 to one dollar. This clearly shows the kind of change we have, this
change has no economic policy direction.” Comrade Alagoa Morris, Niger Delta
activist, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state “What I have observed so far is that, the
President has the zeal he had when he was a military head of State to tackle
those things which have continued to embarrass Nigeria in the committee of
nations. These include corruption, indiscipline and unethical behaviour in our
individual and collective lives. His lack of confidence in the judiciary speaks
volume, especially in his desire to tackle the hydra-headed monster called
corruption. While the above is the scenario, I wish to observe too that Buhari
should know we are not sailing in a military era. He should endeavour to align
his thoughts and actions with the ethos of democracy. And, paramount in this is
respecting the Rule of Law in his actions. And any lopsided fight against
corruption should be avoided, if he should get the goodwill of all Nigerians.
In the light of the above, the fight against corruption should be total and,
not shielding some as sacred cows. Currently, I have not seen change in the
fight against corruption as sacred cows exist. Targeting only members of the
opposition party reeks of partiality and nepotism. Maybe, as we go on more will
be seen, but for now; not much has come the way of Nigerians as change. The
Road between Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States is in very deplorable state, the
East/West Road is yet to be completed, NDDC is owed about N1 trillion and more.
So, there is much more to convince Nigerians that real change is here.
However,I hail him for raising hope in the UNeP related Cleanup and restoration
of polluted Ogoniland;we hope the entire Niger Delta would be treated equally.”
Ego Agbenke, Business man, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state I am an APC chieftain but I
have not seen any change in this government because when former President
Goodluck Jonathan was in power at least people were managing very well but with
this government, things have changed. Prices of goods particularly foodstuff
have sky rocketed, hunger is everywhere and people are suffering. We now buy
rice for N19,000 and N20,00, but in the previous administration it was not as
bad as this as we were buying rice for N9,000. The difference and inflation
level in this so called change government is too much. There is no electricity,
no potable water while fuel and kerosene are now beyond the reach of the common
man. The previous administration was managing the amnesty programme but now ex-militants
are being owed four months stipend. The government fight against corruption is
okay but the corruption fight is not all encompassing. If we must fight
corruption, there must be no sacred cows irrespective of party affiliation.
Right now the fight against corruption is partisan, they only fight people from
the other side. In our party APC, there are a lot of corrupt people but they
are walking around free.” Comrade John Bodebilayefa, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state
There is no change whatsoever. I see this government as a witch-hunting
government. If you want to bring change, bring positive and not negative
change. Now, life is difficult especially food, there is hunger in the land. We
are in stagnation. President Buhari should review his economic policies and
address the problem squarely. In this kind of change our democracy is
endangered because there is no more rule of law. A situation where the
government does not abide by the rule of law is pathetic. More so, the change
should start from the presidency. He should cut down his lifestyle, reduce the
presidential fleet etc. Chinyere Chibuzor, Applicant, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state
From all angles this is not the change we expected. I don’t know where they got
it wrong but the truth must be said that Nigerians are suffering. Buhari for me
has good intentions for this country but he seems not to be getting it right.
What Nigerians need is food on the table, steady electricity and low cost of
living, but that is not the situation on the ground. The government is trying
in the area of terrorism and corruption, but in welfare and food sustenance
Nigerians are suffering and complaining, unemployment is high. The government
should sit up, Nigerians don’t want excuses from this government because they
promised us heaven on earth and they must live up to their expectations. Eric
O. Agbo, civil servant, Makurdi, Benue state The truth is that from the common
man’s perspective, the so called change they promised was a fluke, because it
was all premised on propaganda in order to dislodge the last administration.
Since coming to office, the government has performed abysmally. Going by the
present situation we have found ourselves it has become imperative for
government to do a re-jig of its economic team in order to check the slide in
the value of the Naira. This government is killing the Naira with its policies
which are essential to the stability of the economy and the prices of goods and
service. Whether we like it or not Nigerians are going through the worst
hardship we have ever witnessed since after the civil war and the earlier
something is done the better for the government and Nigerians. There is no
gainsaying that you can visibly see hunger and anger on the faces of 90 percent
of Nigerians. For me, the so called change is nothing but a deceit. Adamu
James, motor mechanic, Makurdi, Benue state This change for me is from good to
bad. How can they promise to change our situation but what we have now is a
sudden skyrocketing of prices of goods and services. Parents cannot pay the
school fees of their children, people can hardly feed themselves and their
families. It is as bad as that. George Alechenu, human rights activist,
Makurdi, Benue state There is nothing like change, we are simply in chains
because of Buhari’s lack on knowledge on how to run the economy. Buhari and his
government have reneged on the promises they made to Nigerians. We are
suffering and they don’t care. He promised to monitor the governors, he has not
done that, because there is looting all over the states. Governors are refusing
to pay salaries despite funds that accrue to the states. The so called
corruption fight is unarguably one-sided. They should also probe the sources of
the APC campaign funds, that is when we will take the government serious. This
is obviously not the change Nigerians yearned for. Terfa Answem, contractor,
Makurdi, Benue state We all know that the situation in the country at the
moment is not palatable, and we also know that the government has no magic wand
to fix the country, but we believe that it will get better. I believe that the
government means well because no government will deliberately unleash hardship
on its people, we all need to exercise patience, I see light at the end of the
tunnel. Mr Mayungbe, teacher, Abeokuta, Ogun state It is a new development in
the country in general, this particular change is a gradual process, and it’s a
matter of time. Things have gone worse than we expected. This present situation
is like water that is polluted for a while, and it will surely take much time
before it gets cleaned. We just have to be patient for a better change. Dauda
Bamidele, Driver, Abeokuta, Ogun state As a transporter, it’s really hard to
drive around, even our passengers are not paying what we are asking them to
pay. Likewise, the high cost of fuel. We just have to pray to God for better
change in the country. Timothy Odagbodo, Newspaper Vendor , Abeokuta, Ogun
state This change has really made positive and negative impacts, things are
really changing as the slogan of APC. Mostly, the negative sides are the high
cost goods. There is no money in the country and the economic crunch is
crushing us. I don’t think our president has what it takes to boost the
economy, he should set up a panel to tackle the problem Abiola,Motor dealer,
Abeokuta, Ogun state The slogan of APC is change, so we have to change our way
of doing things and our way of living. As a businessman, it has been tough
since the beginning of the year, we just have to endure anything that comes our
way. The change is really negatively affecting everyone from businessmen, to
traders, civil servants and many others. Customers are not patronizing us like
before, they say there is no money in the country. Government should please
help us because we are suffering. Prince Emma Anyanwu, Abeokuta, Ogun state
“The government of President Mohamadu Buhari is a failure. It was the biggest
mistake Nigerians made to have voted him to power. It is difficult for anybody
of my age to think that Nigeria made the right choice with President Buhari.
Nigerians are sick and pained. They are hungry. The greatest mistake they made
was to think that a man who had stayed out of governance for so long can come
and change things. He made all promises yet we see that nothing serious has
been done. The excuses he is giving for failure are not tenable. He may have
good intentions but unfortunately he has failed Nigerians because he made
promises that he has not been able to fulfill. Nobody is happy now in Nigeria
because of the hunger in the land. You don’t starve people and say you are
fighting corruption. You need the people to fight corruption but since they are
hungry they are also angry” Uduak Abigel, Port Harcourt, Rivers state “The
change mantra of the Buhari led government simply means suffering. Change for
me under this government is hardship, hunger and poverty”. Timothy, bricklayer,
Owerri Imo state “Most people voted for the All Progressives Congress, APC,
with the hope that things would be better. From the look of things, the APC has
completely disappointed the masses. Cash has become a scarce commodity and
since people no longer have expendable cash, most artisans have been thrown out
of business. Ikpechukwu, civil servant, Owerri, Imo state “You can see what we
are passing through in the hands of APC regime. Honestly, we were better off
when the Peoples Democratic Party was in power. Honestly, nobody knows where we
are heading to in this country”. Madam Ngozi, Mbieri, Imo state The suffering
in the land is becoming unbearable and most unbelievable. If the Buhari
administration is not inundating us with the blame game, it finds itself
announcing mind bugling sums allegedly stolen by people who served the Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan administration. Nobody has so far been found guilty, but we
have continued to suffer”.. Mr Dauda Sani, information officer, Bauchi The
coming of Buhari government has ensured the safety of lives and property,
especially since the appointment of the new service chiefs that yielded
positive results. A lot of achievements have been recorded, especially in the
area of security and we pray for a lasting peace in the country. To a large
extent, we can now sleep with our two eyes closed”. Malam Goge Muhammad, civil
servant, Bauchi The anti-graft policy of Buhari administration has reduced
corruption that has eaten deep into the Nigerian economy, particularly during
the previous administration. The war against corruption by the President
Muhammadu Buhari government has yielded positive results, especially with
recent corruption probes by the EFCC. These probes will serve as deterrent to
government officials who may exhibit such tendencies” Buba Mohammed,
businessman, Bauchi The government of President Buhari should be lauded for
bringing an end to insurgency, corruption and oil theft in the Niger Delta. I
am satisfied in the manner with which the present administration has empowered
Nigerians to create job with establishment of new skill acquisition centres in
the country. Bin Usman Diyaulhaq, Student, Kano So far, security is in place,
and change has guaranteed peace of mind in an environment hitherto full of
apprehension and tension. Jamila Muhammad Sale, Student, Kano I still have
trust and faith in President Buhari’s government despite the trouble with the
economy. I believe he remains the best choice for now. Abdullatif Kassim,
Artisan, Kano Change is a healing process, I’m hopeful there will be light at
the end of the tunnel, it’s just a matter of time. Johnson
Chukwuobasi,Businessman, Enugu The change we have witnessed since this administration
took over power has been a downward change which has not made any positive
impact on our lives. For some of us who are businessmen,the high cost of
Premium Motor Spirit,PMS,which sells for N145 per liter has affected the cost
of running businesses without any corresponding gain. The epileptic power
supply and high tariff have not helped matters either. Most businesses have
closed shops as a result of incessant power outage. For an administration which
took six months to constitute its cabinet,we expected a very tangible change
for our good. Danjuma Gambo, Human Rights Activist, Enugu Before the inception
of this administration,a bag of imported rice sold for N11,000 but now it sells
for N20,000. Look at the exchange rate per dollar which stood at N197 per
dollar when this administration came in. Now, a dollar goes for N396. Nigeria
being an import dependent economy had to devalue the Naira under this
administration which further plunged the nation into this economic woes. We
cannot wait for Buhari to leave the seat. The government has shown its lack of
economic direction which accounts for the present socio-economic challenge
bedevilling the nation. Nkechi Obasi, Entrepreneur, Enugu The prevailing
economic predicament plaguing the nation has stifled the growth of Small Medium
Enterprises, SMEs. Access to loan facilities has become almost impossible. A
country with a high rate of unemployment and which cannot encourage
entrepreneurial growth is doomed. The inflation rate has soared to an all time high
of 16.45 percent. This means that prices of commodities have tripled. This
administration has not demonstrated any commitment towards addressing these
economic problems and that is why there is strident agitation from various
quarters for dismemberment from Nigeria.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/change-now-means-us-nigerians-tell-buhari/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/change-now-means-us-nigerians-tell-buhari/
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