By Timi Babatunde
The history of
Nigeria is one characterized by multiple fits, starts and staccatos. Ours is a
chequered history with continual disruptions by both military and civilian
administrations.
Successive military
juntas, heralding a messianic dawn truncated whatever tranquil, stability and
policy direction there was in a bid to 'move' the nation forward. Each one came
to right some apparent 'wrong' perpetrated by the governments of the day.
A messianic zeal and
desire for the elusive eldorado, reinforced by an internal restlessness,
impatience and intolerance of the masses accounts for the constant
impetuousness to see the back of successive governments. Such changes were
usually attended by wild street jubilations, rejoicing and anticipation of the
new dawn- Uhuru!
The history of fits
and starts isn't limited to the military administrations alone. A case in study
was the Yar'Adua administration of 2007 -2011. A conniving, and vengeful
administration not only put a stop to a lot of the momentum from the Obasanjo
administration, but reversed most of her achievements including the sale of
refineries, and halting the NIPP initiatives.
Ditto at the states
and local government levels with successive administrations.
The Buhari military administration of 1983 truncated the nation's second republic democratic experience in a bit to score some points. It in turn was toppled by the Babangida minded coup d'etat.
Does anyone still
marvel at why we remain where we are?
Psychoanalytic
psychology relies on innate and experiential factors to explain human behavior.
Years of social, economic, political deprivation have shaped the Nigerian
psyche into a tempestuous, temperamental, paranoid and cynical lot.
Our worldview is
colored by the wounds of the past, and the failure of successive governments to
achieve the much desired improvement in our socio economic milieu.
Consequently, most
Nigerians have become cynical, impatient and suspicious of the motives of any
government, no matter how well intentioned. This cynicism finds expression as
outbursts of ineptitude about the government of the day, in this case, the Dr
Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Every step of this
administration has been dogged by strong opposition, malice and doubts. Being
in the eye of the storm, it continues to draw flak from all and sundry.
Beginning from the
obvious constitutional crisis of succession, and conspiracy that surrounded
late Yar'Adua's illness, the post election crisis of 2011 preceded by
uncharitable utterances of present day dramatis personae, the Boko Haram menace
and the present day indecorous opposition personified by the All Progressives
Congress.
The achievements of
this administration has tended to pale into insignificance in light of the
above hitches and challenges, unduly exaggerated by a blind opposition, but
this in the mind of the undiscerning.
Challenges and
difficulties are not necessarily and inherently evil. Rather, challenges are
stepping stones for greatness, for individuals, groups and nations; which if
successfully negotiated make us better, stronger and mature.
They are an
opportunity for growth, as they impose changes on us, which though unpleasant,
are necessary for progress.
Who said learning to
crawl, walk, talk was easy for infants? What about adjusting to puberty for
adolescents or the healing of surgical wounds? Yet, in each of these cases,
represent challenges which if well negotiated births greatness, wholeness and
joy.
The challenges we
presently have are teething problems for the birth of a great and enduring
nation, be it the perceived exposure of corruption, the mayhem of terrorism,
general discontent and indecorous opposition.
These are a
reflection of our maturational stage as a nation and are a call for patient
continuance, and perseverance in doing good. That if we stay the course, we
shall reap the benefits.
The temptation
however is to short circuit this unpleasant process and phase, resorting to
quick fixes represented as 'change'. Our first instinct is to label this
administration as clueless, incompetent and incapable of fixing the problems.
The natural and knee
jerk reaction is also to fall for the dangle of "change" being echoed
by the APC. This route is the very familiar one we've been through over the
years. It offers little succor, and will be a throwback to another new
beginning in the mould of successive truncations.
In any case, the APC
has done little to justify her lust for power. It seems it is power for power's
sake, riding on popular sentiments for 'change' and general disenchantment.
What APC seems most skillful at is the haulage of insults on the office and
person of the Nigerian presidency and indecorous utterances.
What it is less
skilled about is the provision of alternative answers, and the articulation of
alternative policy directions (APC lawmakers have achieved nothing groundbreaking-they
continue to collect the bogus and questionable constituency allowances etc).
The Dr Goodluck
Jonathan administration has done veritable and creditably well. She will never
meet all aspirations of Nigeria, as no single administration never will. But
ours is a new vision, a new direction and a new spirit.
Former President
Obasanjo echo my sentiments recently when he emphasized that what we needed was
stability in government. Not the constant and haphazard change in
administrations and policy flip-flops.
Below is a catalog of
achievements of this government. It is credit to the intellectual approach to
governance and perseverance of this administration. They are no mean feats. If
given the chance, it is poised to do more and will consolidate on existing
achievements.
1. Freedom of
Information Bill
2. Local content Bill
3. Nigerian Sovereign
Investment Authority
4. National Health
Bill
5. Petroleum Industry
Bill (yet to be passed)
6. Resuscitation of
Nigeria Railways
7. Independence of
the Judiciary, and legislature
8. Rule of law
9. Massive employment
generation through SURE P, You Win and the graduate internship scheme.
10. Road network
rehabilitation and construction
11. Reorganization of
security architecture and intelligence
12. National conference
13. Access to
education (9 new federal Universities, Interventional grants to public
universities of 1 trillion naira in the next 4 years, over 100 Almajiri schools
built and operating etc).
14. A drive to see
agricultural self sufficiency and policy support
15. Rebasing of the
economy
16. Credible
electoral processes
17. National Identity
Card Management etc.
Suggested areas of
improvement going forward include the following:
1. Introduction of a social security/ welfare scheme for all Nigerians
1. Introduction of a social security/ welfare scheme for all Nigerians
2. Greater access to
justice through creation of specialized judicial divisions such as
constitutional, civil and criminal courts; proliferation of courts, and
creation of regional supreme courts.
3. A review of extant
penal and criminal laws.
4. Implementation of
recommendations of the 2014 National conference, among other things.
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