The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has made its mistakes and errors especially in the politics of governing Nigeria. This is normal in a complex democracy with a President that is not a typical Nigerian politician. Nevertheless, Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second, because he has done quite well. To ask Buhari not to contest is an injustice to all Nigerians- they will be denied the opportunity to grade the Buhari/Osinbajo four years in power.
No administration in Nigeria from 1999-2015 has neared the achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari’s government within three years of its first term in office. The Buhari government has done very well in the two fundamental areas upon which it rode to power- neutralize Boko Haram senseless war and put a stop to official corruption. Though, there is room for improvement. There is not perfect government anywhere in the world.
The Buhari Administration has also done excellently well in other areas including the economy. The biggest challenge for the government has been that most of its strides have been under reported and not well publicized.
Muhammadu Buhari is an enigma – his ‘spirit’ has overshadowed everyone and everything in the government. So, for a seamless and smart publicity of what the Buhari/Osinbajo government is doing, and what it has done, President Buhari should start visiting sites of ongoing and completed projects. This is will seamlessly hyped the achievement of the government to the entire country
Very few Nigerians know that: Nigeria’s foreign reserves have peaked at over $40billion, the highest level in about four years, and up from $24 billion just a year ago. The nation is saving 24.7 billion naira monthly with the full implementation of the TSA. The capital inflow is averaged 1.8 billion dollars. The Nigeria’s stock exchange has risen to 40,000 points for the first time since October 2014. The non-oil sectors exports are up 70% year-on-year and manufactured goods exports are up 22% year-on-year. Power Generation is at an all-time high of 7,000mw from a mere 2,000mw. 25 major highways across the six geo-political zone are being funded with the N100b Sukuk Bond. While the Lagos-Kano Standard Rail Gauge is on. Lagos-Ibadan and Kano-Kaduna sectors will be ready in 2019; the entire stretch will be ready in year 2021; negotiations on for Coastal Rail covering 15 cities from Lagos to Calabar.
The $41 billion foreign reserve is a big plus for the Buhari government, because most of our previous governments lacked control and ability to save, the Buhari government was able to control wasteful and reckless spending. The massive road and rail projects are for prosperity, though the benefits would be felt later. Having a President that is corruption free is a huge image promotion for Nigeria and confidence-builder for investors and relief for the masses, knowing that their president will not steal their monies.
Despite these sterling performances of Buhari within 3 years in power, we cannot hide from this fact- Buhari is human, he has made mistakes as well as committed some political errors but they are correctable. We must also know that in a true democracy no successful president ever spends only one term in office. Buhari deserves a second term.
Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State
