The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a political and policy advocacy group, thank Almighty God Who answered the prayers of Nigerians and well-wishers from around the world and returned President Muhammadu Buhari safely to Nigeria after more than one hundred days of medical vacation in the United Kingdom. The expression of genuine love for the President while he was away is unprecedented.
With the benefit of hindsight, it is a near-miracle that Nigeria survived the fairly long period of the President’s absence from the nation’s tenuous political space. We thank God for the maturity and uncommon level of mutual trust exhibited by President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo in navigating through the testy time without any untoward development.
Both leaders have proved to Nigerians that, in spite of the nation’s complexity and diversity, it is not difficult for Nigerians to live together as one united people, as long as we remain binded by the values of love, integrity, openness, mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual tolerance, loyalty and selfless service. Thus, President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo are models of true friendship and loyalty. They are icons of national unity.
There is a message in this for leaders. No organisation can make progress with a divided leadership. There is no better blessing for any organisation than having an open and trustworthy leader who is complemented by genuinely loyal lieutenants.
While we commend Prof Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President for the sustained momentum in governance while the President was away, we, however, believe that the President’s return would boost the morale of the executive team to do more.
In light of this, and given the fact that the administration is closer to its end than its beginning, it would do the President and Nigerians a lot of good if the President could take some drastic measures in order to further deliver on his mandate.
As the President now needs to run faster and smarter, he needs to overhaul his team. Members of the executive team who are performing below expectation need to be replaced. Also, as may be necessary, the government needs to reprioritize its programmes. Premium should now be placed on high impact policies and programmes that can bear the best results in the short and long terms.
What’s more, President Buhari should now do the needful and rally other leaders of the governing party, APC, in a bid to consciously groom the succeeding generation of leaders that would continue the long-drawn battle to sanitise Nigeria and place it on the pedestal of peace, progress and prosperity.
While looking beyond today and casting his mind on posterity, the President, having being saved by Almighty God, should rededicate himself to building a stronger and more united Nigeria. While working in the interest of all, he needs to placate the agitated. Greater engagement with all parts of the federation and a tour of the country, especially the agitated regions, would calm frayed nerves and help put him in a better stead as a truly national leader and icon.
In the same spirit, we want to urge the President to display grace towards his critics, especially his bitter critics who, driven by political differences, mocked him in his trying time. One of the greatest attributes of God is grace. Now that God has fought his battle for him, the President needs to accept all Nigerians as his people. Again, the President needs to remember that not all critics are enemies the same way that not all praise-singers are true friends. He should match forward with unflinching trust in God and greater self-confidence.
There is a lesson in this for us all, especially those who, in the course of national discourses, cannot separate policies from personalities. It is out of step for anybody to rejoice over and make political capital out of another person’s misfortune. As Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) counselled: *_“Do not rejoice over your brother’s misfortune, lest Allah have mercy upon him and subject you to trials.”_* (Tirmidhi). In the same vein, the Bible advises: *_“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.”_* (Proverbs 24:17).
As a leader, the President should rise above the pettiness of his detractors.
Once again, we welcome President Muhammadu Buhari back to Nigeria. May his days be long, purposeful, peaceful and prosperous.
God bless Nigeria!
*Tajudeen Adeyemi Alabede,*
*_Coordinator_*
*Lukman Idowu Ajani,*
*_General Secretary_*
*FOR: Network for Democracy and Development (NDD)*
