It is possible that Buhari can solve the Boko Haram “insurgency”. He is from the North East and it will be more politically appropriate for him to tackle them. Most Nigerians seethem as problem native to the area which would not have existed if the local culture and religion did not and sanction tolerate it. Most of the Boko Haram “fighters” are from the pool local politicians draw their thugs. It is possible that he can call back the evil genie into the bottle and cap it. It is possible that like his predecessors, he cannot. Jonathan got on PDP ticket as someone who will help pacify Niger Delta militants. He pretty much succeeded by paying them. Apparently the objectives of Boko Haram are not mercenary. But we will see. Northerners have pretty much run the country since independence. They have not done much to improve the material lot of their people. I don’t know what Buhari can do to change this situation. Like he said, do not expect miracle. Nigeria, like most other Africans states, is a failed state, even though most proud Nigerians will not admit it. Corruption and criminality is rampant all over the country. Most Nigerians see criminals as nothing but scourge which is beyond the control mostly. What makes Boko Haram different is that it is cloaked in a religion that seems to sanction violence. Nigerians do not “forgive” their dictators. They endure them. That is resilience. It is what makes these countries function in spite of the lack of good governance.
1
Supported Gen. Buhari when he came to power the first time in the early 80s, and support him now for many reason. I firmly believe he will fight with all he has the deeply structured corruption system in the country.
Buhari I hope, with time will deal with the problems in the Niger Delta, the nations bread basket with the urgency required to avoid a come back by the militants.
It was disheartening to come back to my country after many years abroad, and see the wholesome looting of the country, by powerful interest groups that do not care about the average citizen.
Yes it is true Gen. Buhari can not rule by military edicts, But the position he won is structured in a manner that would allow him to take the necessary actions that would move the nation forward.
Areas where urgent actions are needed include, solving the Boko Haram problem, a dedication to really develop the Niger Delta and making sure the criminals who where in power and have run this country to the ground do not repeat not go free.
The days of stealing massive amounts of money and moving it abroad must come to and end and anybody appointed to any position must at the end of the year give and account of what he or she has done to move this country forward.
Anybody who can not subscribe to thinking of how can I make life better for my fellow countrymen and women must not attain a position in this government. If Buhari follows through with what he said during the campaign, I believe we will follow him
Buhari I hope, with time will deal with the problems in the Niger Delta, the nations bread basket with the urgency required to avoid a come back by the militants.
It was disheartening to come back to my country after many years abroad, and see the wholesome looting of the country, by powerful interest groups that do not care about the average citizen.
Yes it is true Gen. Buhari can not rule by military edicts, But the position he won is structured in a manner that would allow him to take the necessary actions that would move the nation forward.
Areas where urgent actions are needed include, solving the Boko Haram problem, a dedication to really develop the Niger Delta and making sure the criminals who where in power and have run this country to the ground do not repeat not go free.
The days of stealing massive amounts of money and moving it abroad must come to and end and anybody appointed to any position must at the end of the year give and account of what he or she has done to move this country forward.
Anybody who can not subscribe to thinking of how can I make life better for my fellow countrymen and women must not attain a position in this government. If Buhari follows through with what he said during the campaign, I believe we will follow him
2
Why everything is boiled down to democracy or not ?
Is stability and a coherent law enforcement something, that should achieved first, no matter under what kind of reign.
Is stability and a coherent law enforcement something, that should achieved first, no matter under what kind of reign.
1
Yes, we have seen former dictators see the light, and run for elections and, if victorious, carry out presidential duties in a democratic process. At the same time, asking him to clear years of corruption may be too much of a good thing, especially as his position may be an open invitation to abuse of power, and the institutionalization of corruption, so no toes are stepped on. Time will tell. For now, cautious optimism seems the mood to take, as his predecessor was a lost cause.
3
A little context, Buhari is the 4th president since Nigeria returned to democracy. 3 of 4 have either been soliders, or inheritor:
1. General Olusegun Obasanjo (former military ruler, first guy elected in the new dispensation)
2. Umaru Yar' Adua (the brother of General Shehu Yar' Adua, former #2 in Obasanjo's regime, who died in prison when jailed by the last major, and most brutal military dictator, General Sani Abacha (Buhari had nothing on this guy))
3. Goodluck Jonathan (Yar' Adua's VP, and an "accidental" president because Umaru Yar'Adua himself died in office)
4. General Muhammadu Buhari
So, there is nothing out of the ordinary in the Nigerian context for a retired General (Buhari) to win the presidential ticket. The underlying reason is the military dominated government, the economy, etc for so many years there, and so their members & network have the resources to compete. Think of it like having campaign money in American politics.
As to Buhari, although the description here is generally correct, he wasn't "The" austere hardliner in his own regime actually. That distinction belonged to the late Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, the #2, a man of unsmiling visage, who was so feared by the military hierarchy that when they overthrew Buhari, they made sure Idiagbon was out of the country.
As to corruption, the most productive thing is to design it out in as many places as possible. "Fighting" it at the scale it is in Nigeria is a naive approach. Motion and not movement.
1. General Olusegun Obasanjo (former military ruler, first guy elected in the new dispensation)
2. Umaru Yar' Adua (the brother of General Shehu Yar' Adua, former #2 in Obasanjo's regime, who died in prison when jailed by the last major, and most brutal military dictator, General Sani Abacha (Buhari had nothing on this guy))
3. Goodluck Jonathan (Yar' Adua's VP, and an "accidental" president because Umaru Yar'Adua himself died in office)
4. General Muhammadu Buhari
So, there is nothing out of the ordinary in the Nigerian context for a retired General (Buhari) to win the presidential ticket. The underlying reason is the military dominated government, the economy, etc for so many years there, and so their members & network have the resources to compete. Think of it like having campaign money in American politics.
As to Buhari, although the description here is generally correct, he wasn't "The" austere hardliner in his own regime actually. That distinction belonged to the late Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, the #2, a man of unsmiling visage, who was so feared by the military hierarchy that when they overthrew Buhari, they made sure Idiagbon was out of the country.
As to corruption, the most productive thing is to design it out in as many places as possible. "Fighting" it at the scale it is in Nigeria is a naive approach. Motion and not movement.
7
"There is also a sense of unfinished business. Mr. Buhari’s supporters think his tenure as a military leader was a missed opportunity and that the country may have been spared many years of corruption had his ruthless anticorruption campaign not been prematurely ended."
yes, i am one of these people!
yes, i am one of these people!
2
Corruption is endemic in much of the world; it's as much a part of daily life as work. It ranges from the blatant - paying off the neighborhood police - to the genteel, as in American corporations and billionaires buying government and writing legislation.
Going after corruption in Nigeria has its potential downside. Corruption is pervasive there, infecting all levels of government and business. Any anti-corruption drive - if it succeeds - risks the literal dismantling of Nigerian government and society. Who will run the government agencies, the military, the police forces?
And that's just the managers and generals. The cops themselves, the bureaucrats who deal with the public - they live by the bribe if they want to feed their families.
So what would replace it? For Nigeria's sake - and as an example for the rest of the world of corruption - I hope Buhari has some answers.
Going after corruption in Nigeria has its potential downside. Corruption is pervasive there, infecting all levels of government and business. Any anti-corruption drive - if it succeeds - risks the literal dismantling of Nigerian government and society. Who will run the government agencies, the military, the police forces?
And that's just the managers and generals. The cops themselves, the bureaucrats who deal with the public - they live by the bribe if they want to feed their families.
So what would replace it? For Nigeria's sake - and as an example for the rest of the world of corruption - I hope Buhari has some answers.
2
Well if Mr. Buhari is to go from iron-fisted militaristic dictator to benevolent elected official, he'd be the first in history to do so I'm pretty sure. So the odds are not good.
Nonetheless, it's hopeful that he'll make some headway in nosediving Nigeria. I think this editorial misstates the case a bit saying that there is no military solution to boko haram, and when it comes to military solutions, Mr. Buhari might well be effective. Although the solution isn't solely military, there is no solely non-military solution either. The current militant bokos must be captured or killed, as there is no way to accede to their demands, and no way to convince them to stop their murderous rampage. So that's the military aspect of the solution, and there's no replacement for it, but there's a socio-economic one too. People have to feel like their lives are enjoyable, there's hope for the future, and their children will prosper, and then they won't turn to fundamentalist bloodthirsty Islam. And fundamentalism must be ostracized, contained, and eliminated.
I think Mr. Buhari might do well on the first part of the solution, and even rooting out corruption. I don't know if he can manage the second part, or building Nigeria's economy overall. Either way, he'll be better than the last guy whose effort boiled down to saying 'Good luck'. And as Nigerians chose him, they chose his methods, and they can change their mind next election (hopefully).
Nonetheless, it's hopeful that he'll make some headway in nosediving Nigeria. I think this editorial misstates the case a bit saying that there is no military solution to boko haram, and when it comes to military solutions, Mr. Buhari might well be effective. Although the solution isn't solely military, there is no solely non-military solution either. The current militant bokos must be captured or killed, as there is no way to accede to their demands, and no way to convince them to stop their murderous rampage. So that's the military aspect of the solution, and there's no replacement for it, but there's a socio-economic one too. People have to feel like their lives are enjoyable, there's hope for the future, and their children will prosper, and then they won't turn to fundamentalist bloodthirsty Islam. And fundamentalism must be ostracized, contained, and eliminated.
I think Mr. Buhari might do well on the first part of the solution, and even rooting out corruption. I don't know if he can manage the second part, or building Nigeria's economy overall. Either way, he'll be better than the last guy whose effort boiled down to saying 'Good luck'. And as Nigerians chose him, they chose his methods, and they can change their mind next election (hopefully).
4
The conclusion to this article where either an "anticorruption drive" or "navigation around powerful vested interests" both lead to disaster suggests that Nigeria is doomed no matter what.
If Buhari was ousted by a coup of corrupt officials who objected to having their right to loot the country curtailed, then he's the right man for the job now. Let's hope he hasn't changed that much.
If Buhari was ousted by a coup of corrupt officials who objected to having their right to loot the country curtailed, then he's the right man for the job now. Let's hope he hasn't changed that much.
1
With 70percent of the population under 30 and evenly divided between Christian and Muslim, Buhari will be successful if only he can prevent this from turning into a worse version of Bosnia.
Max Siollun writes: "Nigeria today needs a reconstructive surgeon, not a bulldozer". Three decades since his ouster, Muhammadu Buhari may be a "changed man" now, not the "bulldozer" of his old days.
Only time can tell, whether he will be the "reconstructive surgeon" that Nigeria needs. But he has the advantage of having a united grouping, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on board. The APC attracted heavyweight defectors from Goodluck Jonathan's party, the (PDP), which has dominated the political scene since the end of military rule in 1999. So out of political point of view, Buhari could be seen as a unifying figure. But he has other daunting tasks too - fighting rampant corruption and resolving the conflict with Boko Haram.
Only time can tell, whether he will be the "reconstructive surgeon" that Nigeria needs. But he has the advantage of having a united grouping, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on board. The APC attracted heavyweight defectors from Goodluck Jonathan's party, the (PDP), which has dominated the political scene since the end of military rule in 1999. So out of political point of view, Buhari could be seen as a unifying figure. But he has other daunting tasks too - fighting rampant corruption and resolving the conflict with Boko Haram.
Kleptocracy is always aided by established countries. Always. Amaerica and Europe must help Buhari expose the entire tree of corruption, which includes big western companies. No fines. Jail. If we see some oil heads roll, surely their puppets will fall in line. Only our laws against bribery can truly aid Nigeria at this crucial time.
3
Can Nigeria’s Former Dictator Become a Democrat?
Don't they all? ;)
Don't they all? ;)
A devout Muslim who launched crusades against Boko Haram, Muslim extremists and corruption would truly be a boon to Nigeria---and to the world. One hopes he's as good as his word.
6
With over 500 different ethnic groups in multiple faiths in the most populous African nation-175 million- with the biggest African economy Nigeria can become a monument to the virtues of civil secular plural egalitarian democracy.
Nigeria is 21% Yoruba, 21% Hausa, 18% Igbo and 11% Fulani. With the nation about evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. Boko Haram represents the 4% of Nigerians who are Kanuri. Goodluck Jonathan is Christian and Ijaw (2%) and from Southern Nigeria.
Buhari as a Muslim with some Kanuri heritage along with Northern Nigerian Hausa-Fulani roots is perfect for the current ethnic sectarian situation. Along with his checkered humbled military political past his elder status should also be an empathetic human virtue to resolve deep lingering Nigerian socioeconomic political educational conflicts.
The nameless faceless Nigerian human victims of Boko Haram and corruption and criminality deserve recognition through Nigerian redemption.
Good luck to him! God bless and protect Nigeria and Nigerians!
Nigeria is 21% Yoruba, 21% Hausa, 18% Igbo and 11% Fulani. With the nation about evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. Boko Haram represents the 4% of Nigerians who are Kanuri. Goodluck Jonathan is Christian and Ijaw (2%) and from Southern Nigeria.
Buhari as a Muslim with some Kanuri heritage along with Northern Nigerian Hausa-Fulani roots is perfect for the current ethnic sectarian situation. Along with his checkered humbled military political past his elder status should also be an empathetic human virtue to resolve deep lingering Nigerian socioeconomic political educational conflicts.
The nameless faceless Nigerian human victims of Boko Haram and corruption and criminality deserve recognition through Nigerian redemption.
Good luck to him! God bless and protect Nigeria and Nigerians!
8
An interesting piece on the former Military ruler. One thing though hard and austere as Buhari may have been one would have thought that his rule was basically a military rule where the courts jurisdiction is ousted in most instances. That and the fact that every military officer carries a gun must have many officers co-conspirators. By this, therefore, it is not a mere GMB as who served as a dictator, there were many who may have joined other political parties.
One point again now we have courts with a fairer jurisdiction and more vibrant Civil society that can stand up to the political machination of the elites as we witnessed with Chief Obasanjo's third term agenda. No, Buhari for reasons that may not be fully understood decided that political competitive bid fr power is a batter panacea to many of Nigeria's problems than an outright abrogation of constitutional rule and that is how it should be. The dictatorship tenutr of Buhari couldn't and didn't prevent his outer and jail for nearly forty months by the "loyal" officers that backed him!
One point again now we have courts with a fairer jurisdiction and more vibrant Civil society that can stand up to the political machination of the elites as we witnessed with Chief Obasanjo's third term agenda. No, Buhari for reasons that may not be fully understood decided that political competitive bid fr power is a batter panacea to many of Nigeria's problems than an outright abrogation of constitutional rule and that is how it should be. The dictatorship tenutr of Buhari couldn't and didn't prevent his outer and jail for nearly forty months by the "loyal" officers that backed him!
I don't see why not. Anything is possible these days!
4
However, more pressing, in my estimation, is the need to promptly initiate a system of electoral reform. Only Mr. Buhari could be trusted with doing that.
Nigerian systems of corruption, insecurity, and lack of adequate infrastructure, have persisted because corrupt politicians had always succeeded in clinging to power, by rigging elections for themselves and for their proxies – until this latest election of Mr. Buhari – even with ordinary citizens staying on, to monitor, scrutinize and watch the counting and collation of votes, in cumbersome and laborious voting arrangements.
In previous Presidential election, I was told it was the use of Microsoft Excel – with hidden macros – that did the trick, during the collation process. This time, the U.S. and the U.K. did send joint advance warning to the government of Nigeria, about the need to keep that election collation process free from political interference (or rigging, to be apt). Mr. Jonathan (the incumbent President) is being praised, in some quarters today, simply for heeding that warning.
With a voting system that is free from rigging, Nigerian democracy will become real; and all of Nigerian problems will meet with effective solutions, over time.