By Swill Mavua
Muhammadu Buhari’s “Change” mantra was supposed to revolutionize Nigeria. So the people were fooled into believing. Instead, it became a cruel joke, in the first four years; and starvation as nigerians were made to go through the “Next Level.” Let’s revisit the promises and, well, reality.
Buhari was marketed as the latter-day saint of Nigeria, and he vowed to tackle corruption with an iron fist, upon assumption of office. Instead, his administration became a masterclass in selective justice – prosecuting some, while others seemed to have diplomatic immunity from accountability. It was as if corruption had a special hiding spot, and only certain people – his ilk of the Katsina ruling cabal – knew where it was.
The economy would boom under Buhari’s leadership, creating jobs and prosperity for all; a nation in want of a saviour from the economic oppression doldrum was assured. Reality check: the naira took a nosedive, inflation skyrocketed, and Nigerians were left juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet. It was survival of the fittest. The economy became a puzzle, and Buhari’s team seemed to have lost the instruction manual; and foreign debt piled up against the depressed economy.
Buhari promised to make Nigeria safe, to rid the land of Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, and bandits. Instead, these groups seemed to have taken out a permanent lease on Nigeria’s insecurity. Fulani herdsmen, bandits and criminal elements became larger than life; and their activities were tagged by government as herders/farmer clashes. RUGA will be the only solution, he told a resisting nation. Nigerians became experts in hiding, fleeing, and surviving – but not feeling safe.
Roads, power, water, healthcare and education – Buhari would fix it all, making Nigeria a paradise on earth. But it turned out he loved himself more than he loved Nigeria. Made multiple tripes abroad for his medicare, while critical health infrastructure collapsed back home. Potholes multiplied like rabbit-holes in our highways, power outages persisted like a bad habit, and water scarcity remained a challenge that seemed to have no solution. Very importantly, a railway line had to be constructed from Daura – his hometown – to Niger Republic. Meanwhile, the ones back are in dilapidation. It was as if the infrastructure fairy had taken an extended vacation.
Buhari’s administration would be transparent and accountable, with no more hiding behind closed doors. Instead, secrecy and controversy surrounded many projects and policies, leaving Nigerians wondering what was really going on. It seemed transparency had a new address – somewhere in Buhari’s tweets. And so, N210trillion were unaccounted for under his watch at the NNPCL. Nigeria we hail thee.
As Buhari departs to the great beyond in death, Nigerians are left to ponder the “Change” mantra’s legacy. It seems “change” meant more of the same – or worse. The nation is left to wonder what could have been if promises had been kept, if rhetoric had been replaced with action.
In death, Buhari’s “Change” mantra can be seen for what it was – a marketing slogan that lost its way. The real change Nigerians needed was in the government’s attitude, policies, and actions. Alas, that change never came. Instead, Nigerians got a healthy dose of disappointment and a side of unfulfilled promises. Like Sam Omatsaye did write about Buhari: “He loved himself too much to love Nigeria. Did less for man than for cow.”
Buhari’s “Change” mantra will be remembered as a well-intentioned phrase that lost its way. Nigerians deserve better. As the nation moves forward, let’s hope future leaders will learn from the past and deliver on their promises. After all, Nigerians don’t need more change – they need results.
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