PRESIDENT BUHARI’S PROMISES: I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, PLEASE

Except for Atiku Abubakar who has declared his intention to run for the presidency of Nigeria, there has been dead silence on opposition to President Buhari’s administration of the country. So, I ask these questions.

1.   PMB promised that he would stop corruption in the country and that he would recoup looted funds. My question is this: has corruption stopped or been reduced (we have no right to expect 100%) in almost three years of service? How much of the looted funds have been recovered and to what use where they put? A good answer would involve numbers for I am a numbers guy.

2.   PMB said that he would rid Nigeria of the Boko Haram mess and make Nigeria’s security a priority. He has increased the military budget 100% since assuming office. My questions are: have we rid Nigeria of BH yet? There have been at least three occasions when BH was declared defeated, has been cleared from Sambisa Forest and cleared out of all parts of NE? How come that BH is still killing people almost every week in Nigeria including people in Sambisa Forest? When are the internally displace people returning to their safe homes? A good answer would involve numbers for I am a numbers guy. Former President Reagan asked Americans if they were better before Carter and now under Mr. Carter. I ask the same question of Nigerians: are you safer now or before PMB? A good answer would involve numbers for I am a numbers guy.

3.   Another PMB’s promise was the unity of Nigeria; he would make Nigeria more united and stronger. My question is this: is Nigeria more united or more divided at this point or before? Consider the following factors; the restless Arewa Youth, IPOB, Oduduwa people, Niger Delta Youths etc. What has PMB done or is doing about this besides operation Python Dance and Crocodile Smile? Has he contributed to the disunity? A good answer would involve numbers for I am a numbers guy.

4.   My favorite topics. Has the quality of education improved or the quantity as measured by the number of children in primary schools in all parts of Nigeria? Is primary school now really free and compulsory everywhere? It was over 50 years when Awolowo made that promise and fulfilled it for the then Western Nigeria. Can every child get a free lunch at school? Are we generating more power now than under GEJ? Are sea, air, road, and railway transportation improved? By how much? Has Enugu International Airport been really functional? What about food production? Can Nigeria feed herself now? Are we on the road to achieving these goals? A good answer would involve numbers for I am a numbers guy.

5.   I will leave the rest of my questions for another time. No need to get to such things as domestic and foreign debt obligations.

As we go into Christmas and other holidays we need to ask these questions for our future depends on the answers. It might make more people to throw their hats in the ring or at least strengthen the nerves of others and give them energy to stay and fight.