Naija Political Blog

Most Nigerians were elated by the results of the recent presidential election that ushered in retired General Mohammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s next president. Like we say in the US, the man deserves an A plus for effort after succeeding in his third bid to become a civilian president.  Nigerians will agree that he was the only presidential candidate that inspired confidence that change will at last come to Nigeria with him as president. They have been disappointed over and over watching 16 years of democracy squandered by an inept and corrupt cadre of leaders. 16 years of civilian rule and three successive administrations and yet the government had to depend on generators to power the recent inauguration ceremonies in Abuja in which General Buhari was sworn in as President. Nigerians are truly lucky to have this man as president. Well known as a man of unimpeachable character whose tenure as both Petroleum Minister and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund in the past were so exemplary that, he continues to receive praises for his work at that time.  In addition, he is probably the poorest former president in the history of Nigeria and it is hoped that he will bring that same level of discipline to the presidency this time around in order to transform the country. There is a lot wrong with Nigeria but credit should be given to where credit is due. The outgoing president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and INEC should be commended for conducting an impressive election. Dr. Jonathan should especially be commended for conceding early and not challenging the results of the election which could have plunged the country into post election violence and turmoil like we witnessed during the last presidential elections in 2011. The new president has a lot on his plate…from the current gasoline shortages plaguing the country, to endemic corruption, to Boko Haram and many other challenges. We are confident that he and his team are up to the task. We wish them all the best. It is safe to say that millions of Nigerians at home and abroad see the new president as the last best hope for Nigeria. 16 years of return to democracy has brought very little or no democracy dividend to the vast majority of Nigerians.  Ideas and Solutions that can help transform Nigeria crafted by this writer in a previous blog post are being reposted here for the benefit of the new administration. More…