By UCHE DIALA
This is to my fellow Compatriots, irrespective of whether they are Buharists, ex-Buharists, ‘wailers’, ‘hailers’, non-aligned or ‘I belong to no party’. We are all Nigerians in equal measure and rights.
Dr. Uche Diala.
We are at that critical juncture in the life of a second (last) term Administration – midway from the election that brought the administration to power and half way to the end of the tenure and a fresh election where the incumbent will definitely not be on the ballot, meaning there must be a new President.
This is the time when an incumbent Administration might have fatigue and a tendency to laxity while those waiting in the wings to take over will try every antics to position themselves as a better replacement. At such times, the temptation to discredit or stunt the efforts of the incumbent administration is usually heightened. This has been a common experience in Nigeria.
As citizens, who are the grass that suffers each time the political elephants squabble, it is incumbent upon us to stay focused and remain even more vigilant.
An achievement of the Buhari Administration.
For Buhari supporters aka Buharists, while we thump our chests, hail one another and our principal, we ought to dutifully put an eye on the ball and on details. Now more than ever. We ought to rise above soundbites and intellectually and factually analyze issues of governance and act upon them. Campaigns are long over.
There were promises made by this Administration; Many have been kept, many still in the works and some untouched yet. There are programs and projects at various stages of implementation or non implementation. There are undeniable progress made in the areas of Agriculture, Economy, Power, Infrastructure etc that are being threatened.
It is our patriotic duty to keep our eyes on the ball, keep the Ministers and other officials of government at all levels and all organs of government and governance on their toes to ensure that those projects and programs continue and that those billed for completion before 2023 are completed.
We have rising challenges of insecurity across the nation. No one can sincerely deny that. This time in the life of such an administration is also the time that there is a spike in insecurity both real and orchestrated as we have seen in the case of Nigeria. This is sadly complimented by the spread of fake news and propaganda. But we can’t excuse our way out of it. We must continue to confront them head on and deliver results.
This is a wake up call or call back to reality. Our country is at a cross roads like it has been for a long time. The difference is that presently there is an Administration determined to administer the needed but not wanted bitter pills and expectedly it is meeting with stiff resistance and fierce push backs. Truth be told, this Admininstration has also scored some own goals itself but we must not relent, surrender or give up. The support is for the nation, not for any individual or group of individuals.
Therefore it is not yet uhuru by any stretch of the imagination and we must all realize that and act accordingly. If we are not able to deliver on most of our promises and verifiably so, we would not have that full bragging rights at the end of the day.
Finally, for those who see themselves as opposition, perpetual naysayers and compulsive critics, it is important that they realize that this is our nation and whatever goes wrong or right with it affects us all equally. We need to we must work together to make the nation and the administration succeed for the good of all of us.
This Administration has embarked on some bold and brave programs, policies and projects that may not be popular, populist or palatable but that are germaine to true national growth and emancipation. Whether it be in the area of infrastructure – roads, rails, bridges, airports, power or Institution building like local government autonomy, community policing, legislative autonomy or in the area of fiscal and financial discipline, budget planning and implementation, project execution, poverty alleviation, food security, oil and gas sector reform, social security/safety nets to mention a few. No informed and well meaning Nigerian will deny these.
Yet there is still a lot to be done. We must endeavour to lend a helping hand in our own little ways. Criticisms are only productive if they are constructive and well intended and proffer alternatives. We must do our best to help the current Administration that has shown commitment to make a difference no matter how imperfect it it. We must do what we can and must, today because today is what we have and are guaranteed. We do not know what or who comes next.
As I sincerely empathize with all of us over the challenges we are all going through today as compatriots, I pray for the grace upon us all to persevere to the end.
#GodBlessNigeria
*Dr Uche Diala, is Co-convener, Nigeria Patriots Call.
