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| Buhari leading the nation from the Other room |
When you become the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, the whole world, not just Africa is watching.
The things you say and do are analysed by the whole world. The Buhari led Federal Government seems to be either taking Nigerians for granted or ill prepared for leadership by their unpatriotic actions and comments.
We all misrepresent facts occasionally, but theirs has become a pattern which has been going on for two years now.
First, it was the deceit about oil refineries, the lopsided anti-corruption war/ loot recovery, decimation of boko haram, the budget saga which has broken old and set new world records.
Then came its deregulation/subsidy removal/ price modulation of petrol, then the call for Nigerians to swallow the 'bitter pill' since Nigeria is broke after recovering billions in Naira of stolen funds and saving about N3 trillion in the TSA.
The sudden appearance of some abducted Chibok girls with a boko haram commander as a husband to one, adds to the list.
While innocent Nigerians were grappling with the dramatic turn of events, the nation was officially plunged into an economic recession, after millions of jobs have been lost with many investors leaving the shores of our land.
Most recently, the president has been conspicuously absent from the weekly federal executive meeting for weeks and that's after spending almost two months on medical leave abroad.
Today, we have been informed that the president needs to rest, hence all files on his desk will be taken to the "other room" from where he now operates as President and commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the federal republic of Nigeria.
I understand that the work of the president is incredibly difficult, I also understand what tough decisions he has to make and the creative thinking that has to go into such decisions. Though cabinet ministers and advisors may give their opinions, its always up to the president to make his decisions. How he will cope with this while resting, is what I don't understand.
Now, politics is about personal interest, while governance is about the people and this is the single most important decision the president has to make now.... The people? or politics?
The job of the Nigeria's president isn't just another CEO job, its the hardest in Africa.
It requires strengths and smarts, that's why the president must come prepared.
In leadership, as it is in law, ignorance is not an excuse. With the recent happenings in Nigeria, one is compelled to question again the motives and readiness of this government. As much as we try to be objective and hope to see light at the end of the tunnel, the daily twist and turns leaves much to be desired.
It is normal for anybody to be ill, more so when you have his kind of job description. At PMB's age, everyday you live is a blessing from God.
President Buhari should stop playing saint, put his ego in his pocket and get the job done, Instead of just appearing only on Friday's from the other room to the mosque. Nigerians need to see their president behind the desk as the boss, making things happen.
A man who needs rest cannot get Nigeria out of recession. If Nigeria entered recession with the President behind the desk, I see depression with him in the "other room".
This is a clear message to all the over aged people who are still jostling for power and political control.
President Buhari should officially hand over power to his Vice, pending when he may get enough rest to return to work.
Ukorebi Esien is a Blogger, writer and Conference Speaker
