My Top EIGHT Praise for President Buhari

Previously, I wrote on “My top 10 Problems with President Buhari”. The usual anti-Buhari brigade blamed me for his emergence as I supported him in 2015 (imagine the foolery). Others even told me to ask God for forgiveness and repent for supporting PMB in 2015. Similarly others who are Pro-Buhari no-matter what criticised me for daring to speak negatively about their “Saint Buhari”. They claimed the President has done well in ALL areas. These extremes of blind loyalty and blind hatred is a legacy of poor education and lack of critical thinking capacity among our people.

Yes; It is not a secret that I supported PMB in the 2015 Presidential election. I was a big fan and supporter of the President. But I became gradually as this administration continues, but I felt maybe things will change with a bit more time. Alas, I have seen no major change. Goodwill is important for any government to succeed and PMB had loads of it when he got elected. But it seems his style which is still largely a legacy of his Military background is not well suited to a democracy and the expectations of the citizens.

So, I grew increasingly dissolution by the direction of the government and its self-mutilating tendencies. So, I have not seen any reason to support PMB re-election ambition at the moment, although I am still watching. I will need to see a few changes in approach, style and tone to be convinced things will be any different if re-elected in 2019.

Despite my criticism, I will still like to commend the President for the following achievements, which is by no means exhaustive, but my salient points:

1. The President has used his more prudent approach to spending to grow our External Reserve. This is commendable and puts us in better position to deal with any shock in the global economy in the years ahead.

2. After an initial Roller Coaster; Naira has fairly stabilised in the past few months. Although the exchange rate is till unattractive, it is nevertheless fairly stable and this is helpful to the economy to allow some planning ahead by businesses.

3. There is more negative disposition towards Corruption. This is needed. As a general posture, corruption is now perceived as more of a negative than before in Nigeria. This is the right message to craft. Even though successful prosecution has been few; I will still commend PMB on his war against graft.

4. Greater Diversification of the economy. PMB has succeeded in diversifying our economy better than any government since 1999. Although this has yet to feed into the good feel factor for many Nigerians, it is work in progress and commendable.

5. Growth in Agriculture has been exemplary and commendable, almost unprecedented. I know personally the successes scored by the government in expanding our agricultural base and outputs.

6. There appears to be better success with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists compared to Jonathan’s regime. Although let down badly by his service chiefs and IGP in my opinion; Mr President has however done well to invest in and marshall the resources needed to prosecute the war against terror and violence. The herdsmen killings have been a notable blight on this achievements.

7. Vice President Osinbajo is a credit to this administration in my view. He has done very well within the limits of his constraints as a VP. And has been superb as Acting President each time.

8. There is an improvement in the Standing and image of Nigeria abroad under this administration. So that is a positive thing.

So as you can see, I am not one of those that think this government has not done anything good. That will be uncharitable and and falsehood to say all has been bad. My concern is mainly around the government not accepting its glaring errors thus failing to reassure me they will fix the problems. You cannot fix what you do not agree is a problem. I also will like to see a sense of urgency from Mr President.

His “I will take my time” posture is a real put off and out of sync with the urgency our situation demand. The pace need to be accelerated. II am not convinced that PMB is able to change and accelerate development in another term. That makes me for now reluctant to support his re-election bid. He has not shown he is able to assemble the best brains in Nigeria to fix the country; instead of the bandits he has surrounded himself with and appointed. He also lack self awareness of his own weaknesses. Weaknesses are not bad….but identifying them will allow you to appoint people that will be able to mitigate them.

So PMB has achieved a lot in the past three years; but he could have done better and I am certainly not sure he can do better in the next four years if his approach does not change. But I am open to be convinced. And I wish him well.