Although Muhammadu Buhari presented himself in the mode of a firm and focused nationalist and held deep contempt for corruption and disorder in his first coming as military head of state, many held different opinion in his second coming. Pitiable weakness in governance and unbridled corruption pushed the level of expectations higher by many notches. Many may also have forgotten that Buhari in spite of his age has been inwardly mobile, underwent some inner expansion during the past 30 years and his conviction and method.
Buhari is undoubtedly devoted to Nigeria and believes in its greatness. He gave the indication that his belief in many a thing have become conviction that he can live or die for. We sense that he is unafraid of anything, anybody in the pursuit of the realization of his conviction, in this case the reconstruction of Nigeria. But while he is passionate about Nigeria and its reconstruction, the problems that remain are the dearth of persons who hold the same view of a Nigeria and corruption; the other is the sponsorship of the Buhari campaign by politicians. While many believe that Buhari is firm and unflinching in uprooting corruption even among those who sponsored his election, others are of the opinion that he will be unable to bite the fingers that fed him. Yet a third part wonder why he even allowed the so called corrupt politicians to bankroll his election in the first place. Would it have been more morally justifiable to have refused their contributions at that time, they reason.
Nevertheless, Buhari proceeded with his governance by appointing some like minded fellows we hear, as his first and second rings of defence. We heard stories of his ADC Lt. Col. Muhammed Lawal Abubakar. Similar stories exist for Babacir David Lawal Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Director of State Services, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Managing Director of the NNPC. These and the newness of the faces, the very fact that Buhari has an unyielding stand never to appoint corrupt persons made the process very exhilarating.
But there hardly is anything new to show for this position in the current ministerial nominations of Mr. President. I had thought that young, vibrant, highly qualified, experienced and passionate nominees especially from institutions around the world with depth of knowledge and exposure, and that have the degree of conviction and devotion that match those of Mr. Buhari should have made up much of the list, persons with clear understanding of the differences between service and business, purity and corruption.
The problems in Nigeria require professionals that embody not only these traits but also traits that are averse to the stealing of the commonwealth of the people. For instance, States received Federal Government allocations throughout the last 4 years at least, yet in some States workers (whose only sources of income were the salaries) were owed salaries for months. A basic question should be; did the accused receive his salaries during the same period that workers in the State remained unpaid? The conversion of government funds and salaries of workers to private use and the cruelty that accompany such thievery are the highest aspects of terrorism only to be equated to the ISIS insurgency. Approving the nominations now with the hope of sacking them when they err as ministers becomes even more difficult. I believe therefore that Buhari knew all these but was pressured to accept some of these men and women as nominees. In Buhari`s administration I expected new faces, extraordinary persons and new perspectives!
As it is, many of the nominees do not meet the criteria that Buhari set down. Subsequently, members of the cult of Buhari, many of those who believe in his ability to change Nigeria and therefore voted or worked for his success at the polls do not necessarily share the same levels of conviction and passion as does Buhari. They are not also those who could if given opportunities carry out functions under him without lining their pockets or impairing his efforts. Members of the cult of corruption are obviously in the majority!
Corruption does not sleep! Indeed, corrupt persons remain perpetually awake! Daily they explore several options to circumvent the laws. They are awake strengthening old alliances, making new ones or planning schism. It is the awareness and skill of this horde of humans and their minions who have the capacity to suffocate Buhari that made many and I am afraid, including this author, to raise alarm over his safety. How prepared is Buhari this time if this horde prepares a defence or launches an attack, or simply just wear him down?
This brings me to a scientific study conducted several years ago. A vicious and voracious cat was placed in the midst of thievish and destructive rats, the intention being to determine the behavior and endurance of the cat in the long term. The conditions consisted of a store filled with groceries. The rats tore and scattered packets of food ran around playing and defecating on them. In the first week, the cat killed and devoured many of the rats. Soon however, his killing instincts and appetite diminished as the days wore on until they stopped completely. The sheer number and skill of the rats overwhelmed the cat until some even played with it giggling as they did so. The very bold ones even pulled his whiskers. This is my fear!