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Muhammadu Buhari: A Good President Or Not?

president buhari good

February 27, 2016 – Muhammadu Buhari: A Good President Or Not?

Incumbent President Buhari has barely been in office a year and already the hawks have got their knives out for him.

He can’t govern the country. He’s always flying abroad on state visits. The price of oil has plummeted, the Naira is freefalling in value by the minute and everything cost more than it did last year.

And it’s all his fault….

The opposition is having a field day mocking his mediocre achievements citing he’s more interested in chasing corrupt politicians than actually running the country.

It always easy to criticize. Running a country like Nigeria, is not an easy task; there three major tribes and thousands of sub-tribes. There’s the Muslim North and the Christian South. There’s problems with Islamic militants in the North and eco-terrorists in the Delta states and that’s not counting a thousand and one more problems too numerous to mention.

And the responsibility of keeping everybody and everything happy and working in perfect synchronisation lies on the shoulders of one man. And for this man to be able to discharge his duties as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, effectively, he needs just one thing – MONEY!

As we all know money makes the world go round and the lack of it means that nothing gets done- you can’t pay workers, can’t commission new projects or overhaul existing ones, debts pile up and the domino effect carries on down to the poor man on the street who suddenly can no longer afford to buy a loaf of bread.

The Buhari administration, unfortunately, inherited a country on the brink of bankruptcy, its coffers openly looted and emptied by the preceding administration. To make matters worse anticipated income from oil sales has dropped due to a glut on the world market.

So you’re the President with a large country to run, a budget to implement, wages to pay, people to feed and defend, capital projects that need to be built, structural infrastructure that needs to be overhauled and upgraded and you have no money in your central bank to do anything, what do you do?

You can hardly go the way of Zimbabwe getting your central bank to print more and more currency until it becomes as worthless as toilet paper, leading to hyper-inflation. You have to find real raw cash that has value.

Crooked Nigerian politicians, in the past, have stolen billions and billions of Naira of public funds. For those who think the Presidents anti-corruption drive is a throwback to when he was a military dictator out on a witch hunt should think again. Lai Mohammed recently said that 55 Nigerians stole over N1.34 Trillion Naira in 8 years of public funds- now that’s a lot of MONEY!

Now some money is better than no money so if his current ant-corruption drive can claw some of it back it’s a start – half of the amount stolen can pay all current civil servant salary arrears in the country! So every effort should be made to bring all corrupt politicians to justice.

There are also others who want to paint the President as a modern day ‘Ajala-travelled-all-over-the-world’ for his frequent trips abroad which are deemed wasteful and useless.

For those who are not aware of the Presidents job description, one of the things he’s required to do is travel abroad frequently to bolster the country’s image whilst at the same time building new economic and political ties with other nations. So for all those who don’t understand he’s not actually busy accumulating Airmiles!

Change doesn’t happen overnight, as most Nigerians would dearly love to happen. It takes time and considering the state of the nation left by the preceding government it will take years to get the country back up again.

To get the country back on its feet again will take an incorruptible leader with an unblemished record and the nerves and decisiveness of a military commander: Buhari has both.

Clearing up corruption is not easy and can only be done by a President who’s not corrupt himself. Making tough decisions that will not endear him to the populace requires someone with a strong disciplined mind. And that strong disciplined mind is what is also required to deal with wayward politicians and hanger-ons.

To clear up the mess left by the previous administration will take years. Without any doubt there will be a rise in inflation, poverty, unemployment and other things. It’s all, unfortunately, part of the clearing up process.

For impatient Nigerians who are looking for someone to blame for their current woes look no further than those who got us into this mess in the first place, not the person who just got the barely nine months ago.

So leave the man alone and let him carry on with the good job he’s already doing, unless, of course, you want to see the return of ex-President Godluck(- the’ ineffectual buffoon’ as the Economist recently referred to him) and his out-of-control looting mob who plunged the country into this mess in the first place.

[By Tony Ogunlowo]]

48 Comments

48 Comments

  1. Steve Onuh

    February 27, 2016 at 5:25 AM

    U nailed it, whoever says otherwise deserve some jail time

  2. Metu Nyetu

    February 27, 2016 at 5:46 AM

    Writer, you did well. However, the main point on which I take exception is where you say that Buhari needs to travel frequently to bolster the countries image. That makes it more difficult for me what to reckon you as: an APC stooge or simply an elusive commentator.

    The Igbos say, and I quote: “Ahia oma na-ere onwe ya.” i.e., if you have a good product, you hardly need too much adverts. The product sells itself. I want to make it clear that no country’s image is ever bolstered or enhanced by its presidents travelling the whole world. That idea is merely a political excuse to explain away the huge amount of money spent on each trip by the president. I don’t need to first see the president of Somalia or hear his political sermons before I know that I should not set my foot there.

    Moreover, a president that is concerned about the country’s image should have been more diplomatic when he said that Nigerian are criminals. But he was rather so blunt that it cast the whole nation under a pall in the eyes of the international community. I recall Tony Iredia, a former DG of NTA, when he was faced by a similar question about Nigeria. The interviewer wanted him to admit that Nigeria is the most corrupt country with the highest rate of bribery.

    Mr Iredia did not simply say yes, but he rather argued that bribery can never he committed by one party alone; one
    country must be the giver whereas another must be the receiver. By this answer, he just implicated other countries. Everybody in the confrence room started clapping for him.

    Between Iredia and Buhari, who did the job better? Let nobody deceive anybody. A Buhari that stays home and tries to fix our problem is way too better than a Buhari that travels here and there with his entourage, depleting more and more the money we cry that it’s not there. If Buhari stays here and achievs a feat, he would not need to travel to U.S. to tell Obama; before he gets there, Obama had already known.

  3. Jacob Flow

    February 27, 2016 at 5:58 AM

    Baba is outstanding in all ramifications

  4. Amazon

    February 27, 2016 at 6:35 AM

    To be honest since he ascended the seat of presidency, things are now tougher

  5. John Emeka

    February 27, 2016 at 6:41 AM

    if not of d corrupt cabinet dat GEJ sorrounds himself wit during his regime GEJ z far more better dan PMB period

  6. Anointed

    February 27, 2016 at 7:02 AM

    Sai Buhary

  7. Jojo

    February 27, 2016 at 7:42 AM

    He is trying .. For the fact that he is arresting all the PEN RONBBERS in Nigeria , I give him 10/10.

  8. BOkeem

    February 27, 2016 at 7:51 AM

    He is not capable to be our president,but he is good to be EFFC chief

  9. K

    February 27, 2016 at 8:34 AM

    2 old, tired and confused

  10. Dan

    February 27, 2016 at 8:37 AM

    BUHARI = GOOD MEDIC NURSE / UNQUALIFIED DOCTOR
    I would vote for Buhari over Jonathan anyday because its between the devil and the deep blue sea, but Buhari is not even near the calibre of person we need in the comatose situation that we find ourselves.

    In this article you are talking about looters and no money, then you pass a careless budget with all manners of unspeakable looting embedded.A hungry bleeding man who walks past a hospital looking for food will die of blood loss. Buhari has to PLUG the holes or change the basket into a solid bowl before bringing more water. Anti-corruption is good but WHAT are you doing to create a STRUCTURE that even armed robbers in government cannot misbehave. How are you going to liberate the justice system and fund it to life so corrupt politicians are not manipulating it. How are u going to push a bill to ur senate and house that strips you and them of immunity from prosecution so that people don’t steal with impunity.

    How do u fix leaks in civil service of ghost workers,contract bid process and INSPECTIONS for quality and accountability.

    We know he has to do the job of ambassador but we need to see him every quater to address the nation on his achievements and what the plan to do short and long term. He is not a ruler he is serving US. See Video below and begin to understand the extent of rubbish. When the head is damaged, the body is useless.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfRaXNfQtM

    • Metu Nyetu

      February 28, 2016 at 3:34 AM

      I love your comment @Dan

  11. Ademola

    February 27, 2016 at 8:51 AM

    He will do better soon

  12. Maryf

    February 27, 2016 at 10:32 AM

    Una sabi. This case is more than one can think of.

  13. Zeezy

    February 27, 2016 at 11:15 AM

    May Amighty God bless u writer! U’ve said it ol.

  14. Danti

    February 27, 2016 at 11:27 AM

    Those who criticize him are either inherently gullible or criminals who are hell-bent to run the country aground. What is wrong in fighting corruption? These niggars are lucky that the man (Buhari) conforms to democratic principles, otherwise thousands of these monkey-politicians would have become citizens of Kirikiri and Alagbon. In China, these corrupt officials would have been executed! I believe in him to lay down a good foundation for future Nigerians. We have had the chance with our brothers from the south ( Obasanjo and Jonathan) nothing common sensical was attained, but, life-bursting corruption. Before anyone criticizes the man, ask yourself if you know what Buhari is doing or you are just impulsive , if the latter is the case then such vacuous mouth must remain quite. Meen! I hate fucking fuckers who cannot manage wit!

  15. D Hunter

    February 27, 2016 at 11:30 AM

    Pls lets gv dis man more tym yll prayin 4 him 2 succeed in his earnest quest 2 bring down corruption on its knees in dis con3 n balance d ship of d Nation on a smooth sail ova many troubl waters militatin against d progress of our democratic journey.

    #ITakeAStroll#

  16. Kelvin

    February 27, 2016 at 11:41 AM

    Bad President where is change he is talking about maybe change of traveling too country to country

  17. merit brown

    February 27, 2016 at 12:19 PM

    TO ME, BUHARI IS WORST EVER, A TRIBALIST TO THE CORE WHO APPOINTED ONLY HAUSA/FULANIS, AND YORUBAS ONLY.
    HE HAS SHOWN NIGERIANS THAT YOU CAN APPOINT ONLY YOUR TRIBE WITHOUT BEING QUESTIONING

  18. EGBERRI MAMA 1

    February 27, 2016 at 1:32 PM

    SINCE U KNOW ALL THESE ABOUT BUHARI , WHY ASKING IF HE,S A GOOD PRESIDENT OR NOT ? U KNEW ALL THESE AND SAID U WANTED TO COME IN AND CHANGE . UNA DON HANG 4 ELECTRIC POLE ? BUNCH OF CONFUSED PEOPLE !!.

  19. cHUKA

    February 27, 2016 at 1:52 PM

    The writer. you’ve said it all. Between clueless ex-president and the one safe acclaimed righteous who did better under one year? You know the answer, the clueless did not used Nigeria money to fly around the world etc.

  20. merit brown

    February 27, 2016 at 1:55 PM

    I DON’T KNOW IF THIS SITE FOR BUHARI & APC ALONE?
    I MADE COMMENTS ABOUT THEM, AND EACH TIME, THEY WILL DELETE THEM.
    WHAT IS GOIN G ON?

  21. JAMOON(GBS)

    February 27, 2016 at 1:57 PM

    Hahahaha 4yrs will tell if he is a good or a bad president, u people will end-up blaming the last administration for ur foes stupid set of people.

  22. JAMOON(GBS)

    February 27, 2016 at 2:14 PM

    The apc led fedral government shall blame their woes on the last administration for complete 4yrs hahahahahaha change yazo.

  23. sola olaniyi

    February 27, 2016 at 2:46 PM

    A good President

  24. Adex

    February 27, 2016 at 2:55 PM

    May God help us

  25. Chuddy

    February 27, 2016 at 3:21 PM

    time will tell

  26. O'Nels

    February 27, 2016 at 3:44 PM

    Good president! Mr president has good intention for this nation there is no doubt about this, the problem with some nigerians is that they prefer to celebrate criminals, and another major problem is that of illiteracy! Most of them are not well informed. Any time mr president travelled of out the country, u need to see the kind of comment emanating frm this set of peoples mouth without finding out the purpose he embark on such journey. Anybody that is against mr. President anti corruption war is a thief. Pls nigerians should give Buhari a breathing space to clean up the mess left behind by the past administration. May God bless nigeria.

  27. zainab

    February 27, 2016 at 3:56 PM

    For where? Almost one year and nothing to show… What of the monies recovered, naira devaluation is it looters fault also. Abeg let’s hear something. He derieve joy in punishing pple, jailing pple anyhow. Autocratic being. What of her daughter Zara dat ordered pple to get out of shopping mall barely 3months the father became President. Still believe dat GEJ is better than him.

  28. zainab

    February 27, 2016 at 3:58 PM

    For where? Almost one year and nothing to show… What of the monies recovered, naira devaluation is it looters fault also. Abeg let’s hear something. He derieve joy in punishing pple, jailing pple anyhow. Autocratic being. What of her daughter Zara dat ordered pple to get out of shopping mall barely 3months the father became President. Still believe dat GEJ is better than him.

  29. zainab

    February 27, 2016 at 4:02 PM

    For where? Almost one year and nothing to show… What of the monies recovered, naira devaluation is it looters fault also. Abeg let’s hear something. He derieve joy in punishing pple, jailing pple anyhow. Autocratic being. What of her daughter Zara dat ordered pple to get out of shopping mall barely 3months the father became President. Still believe dat GEJ is better than him.

  30. Omokehinde

    February 27, 2016 at 4:10 PM

    President Mohammed Buhari is the right president at the most difficult and challenging times in Nigerian history.Why? For over thirty years, Nigeria as a nation as been very unfortunate to be governed by criminals, looters, wicked, unpatriotic, and visionless Military Head of State and highly corrupt politicians at the local, state and federal levels. Infact, they don’t care about the welfare of odinary Nigerian people and their future. Nigeria is the only oil producing nation in the world where crooks are awarded oil blocks to suddenly become multi billionaires without paying any taxes at the expense of over 180 millions suffering Nigerian people. Majority of our past leaders, governors, senators, ministers, and even commissioners have properties and liquid cash from billions of stolen money from our national and state treasure. But last year, a great president was elected to office by overwelmng majority of Nigerians from the south to the north of the nation in a time when majority of the states can’t pay their worker’s salaries, unprecedented insecurity posed by BH, shattered education, collapsing economy, decaying infrastructures, drastic drop in federal revenue due to sharp drop in the crude oil price at the world market, and corruption on steroids in very area of govt. in our society. If anyone thinks that things are tough and rough now, imagine what will become of Nigeria If Jonathan succeeded in rigging 2015 presidential election. So far, PMB is doing a great job in fighting corruption, is gradually stabilizing Nigerian economy at $23/barrel price of cude oil far below the budget forcast or target, Boko Haram terrorists are gradually been crushed and nearly defeated, and electricity is gradually stabilizing. He was able to achieved those achievements in the mist of great opposition from the criminal Law makers who want business as usual. President Buhari is a great blessing from God Almighty to rescue our beloved nation from over 35 years of bad experience, setbacks due to corruption, abject poverty because of lack of economy opportunity, mismanagement of many years, and bad governance at all levels of government in Nigeria. PMB has the most difficult job as president in Africa, and it will take our prayers, patient, resources, pathrotic ideas, wisdom of God, and time to achieve his goals. It will take at least 16 to 20 years of great leaders like PMB for us to have a stable and prosperous nation. May God protect, keep, and guide PMB, VP Osinbajo, and those that wish Nigeria and her people well. Amen.

  31. fairjudge

    February 27, 2016 at 4:42 PM

    The points are well enacted

  32. Ego

    February 27, 2016 at 5:35 PM

    Bad simple

  33. Stargurl

    February 27, 2016 at 9:22 PM

    Yet to know his direction ???? abeg

  34. my lady

    February 27, 2016 at 9:50 PM

    really? when Goodluck was responding with ‘condemnations’ during each bomb blast, Nigerians called him all sorts of names ranging from being clueless to being heartless and now that Buhari is not even acting like he is seeing the bomb blast , nobody talks . this man juju dey work oooo. Is it because he is a northerner? Or Muslim who are more in the top government offices? hmmmm! He even made himself a god while the former was so lenient that people tag him all sorts of names and he was tolerant enough to ignore. Buhari has only visited 8 states in Nigeria ever since he became President yet, he has toured almost 30 countries. I wail for my people( Nigerians) #suffering and smiling #
    BRING BACK OUR CORRUPTION!!!
    With Corruption a bag of pure water was N80
    Without Corruption a bag of pure water is N150
    With Corruption dollar was N180
    Without Corruption dollar is N400
    With Corruption I have 20hrs electricity at low tariff
    Without Corruption I have 3hrs electricity
    with 45% increase in tariff
    With Corruption keke to my house takes N50
    Without Corruption keke to my house takes N100
    WithCorruption smallest indomie was N40
    Without Corruption smallest indomie is N60
    The list can go on and on but I just have to end it and take a stand……
    #IStandWithCorruption
    #Bringbackourcorruption
    #WakawakaBuhari
    #BuharibringbackNigeria
    #Bringbacknaira
    If with Corruption Dollar was N180 and without Corruption Dollar is now N425,
    Brother and Sisters, you will agree with me that we need corruption in this country…
    Titus Sardine started with 4 fishes, it reduced to 3. Then now it’s 2.
    In years to come, you’ll open Sardine and see “Try Again Later”…
    Lolzzzzzz

    • Metu Nyetu

      February 28, 2016 at 5:56 AM

      Hahahahahahahha My Lady, you have made my Sunday! Thanks

  35. EGBERRI MAMA 1

    February 27, 2016 at 10:48 PM

    WHY ASKING THESE QUESTION WHEN YOU KNOW ALL THESE DOS AND DON,TS OF BUHARI ? DID U NOT KNOW THAT D COUNTRY WAS BAD B4 U PROMISED NIGERIANS CHANGE 4 GOOD ? WHAT IS HAPPENNING TO D PROMISES ? UNA DON HANG FOR ELECTRIC POLE ? BUNCH OF CONFUSED PEOPLE !!!.

  36. Sanusi

    February 28, 2016 at 12:56 AM

    Long life to our dear President,my president please morally advice those who have served and looted our treasury in the past government to please help returned there loot to move Nigeria foward as serious looting started during the regim of Shagari.
    The looters are well known and they are in thousands please appeal to them to please part with some of there loot to help improve the state of nation economy.
    Higher percentage of there loot are kept overseas and other African countries.
    We know them they live in Nigeria with uncountable properties every where in the world because if you don’t one day something is bound to happen.
    My president, Nigeria today need help and those with the means are there in thousands please invite them and morally persuade them to bring back our money home and if you need my help in this area I will be willing to be of service.
    Regards

  37. Ebo Chiejina

    February 28, 2016 at 6:11 AM

    Perfect article

  38. Germani1

    February 28, 2016 at 8:25 AM

    A good president who save is saving you from slavery. Who want a bright future for me and you who want me and you out great grand childrens to be great in the future
    Is fighting corruption so that me and u can see the light
    Is just there not up to one year he bring light to everything that was happen to us in the country why don’t we support the good fruit who is doing good so that we can have a good achievements than be criticized him let us be one and see our self as one

    Compared this regime to the other one who was there for good 6yrs without nothing let us think we’ll

  39. Rita

    February 28, 2016 at 9:24 AM

    Nigeria God pls help us , buhari want to turn Nigeria to Islamic country why nobody is talking only fayosa attack him. Buhari is he not seening wat rochase is doing in IMO state BC he bck him up during election. N build mosque for him dere is God ooooooooooooo we are suffering n smilling

  40. D Hunter

    February 28, 2016 at 12:17 PM

    Hahahahaha u sounded very 4ny @ my lady. Esp d tail end of ur comment.

    #IDonGo#

  41. Dabi Ayanlola

    February 28, 2016 at 7:06 PM

    It is difficult to not like President Buhari.Although he is old and tired but he is true and authentic.He might fail in some aspects but not every.The ebb of this once a great nation is not virtually Buhari’s fault-All the psst leaders Nigeria ever had,have a stake in this conundrum we find ourselves in.Iam apolitic and truth is my Party.Our colossal problem is corruption and the man is doing his utmost to discourage most of our parasitic elites whose bread and butter is corruption.PMB is trying,if there are lapses,it only shows that he is a mortal and no moral can claim perfection.

  42. p.a salami

    February 28, 2016 at 8:30 PM

    Those people who comments bad about MB that’s your problem Nigerians doesn’t want easy president who takes his time to reconstruct the tarnish nigeria image that already gone off to looters administration of last regime of good luck jonathan, all his looters are still in control of Nigerians looted money deposited in different banks in the world what do say about him nothing other European countries are making use of our money to boast their own economy yet Nigerians are suffering and dying in silent because of what please praise Buhari 4 his miracle performance already done there’s plenty to come and we shall all see By God’s grace more grease to your elbows.

  43. St Val

    February 29, 2016 at 5:44 AM

    Buhari is a confused world tourer and a total failure, am disappointed in him. Thanks a million, Metu Nyetu 4 ur comment.
    May God deliver Nigeria

  44. St Val

    February 29, 2016 at 5:45 AM

    Buhari is a confused world tourer and a total failure, am disappointed in him. Thanks a million, Metu Nyetu 4 ur comment.
    May God deliver Nigeria

  45. chyna

    February 29, 2016 at 2:49 PM

    baba failure touring the world royund while nigeria is on fire mtchewwwwwww

  46. glamour ikpeba

    February 29, 2016 at 10:13 PM

    wats up wit Nigerians?a man fighting corruption, sorounded himself with corrupt people like rt hon rotomi amaechi,Chris ngige,fashola and so on bcos they his party members.let’s be realistic here not bais.the president is a corruption free man,BT wat abt those looters he has sorounded himself at just as gej did.don’t 4get that they were once PDP working and looting in d passed administration b4 defecting to APC.and we ve nt heard 4 once dat they ve been question or probe,BT only their opposition.they are all d same,they just reinforced with APC and change to deceive our citizens.

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