Electioneering is over and it is time for governance. It is time to constitute the team and teams to drive the process of delivering the change promised Nigerians by the new President as he toured the country soliciting support. The time when Rhetoric counted for something is over; it is time to walk the talk.
As is the case in the game of football, governance hangs on the strength of the team assembled, and the cohesion forged. A football team, to be successful, must have individually gifted players who also realise that the team would achieve glory only when the ball is moved forward and everyone made to play his part. The goalkeeper has his place and must control his territory and organize his defence. The defence, too, must work hard to impede the flow of the ball into the critical area, while the midfield serves as buffer between the defence and the offence. It carries the ball forward and must be quick to intercept the movement by the opponents. But, even where the defence and the midfielders play their parts well, a blunt strike force would cost the team dearly.
It is therefore up to the coach to assemble a powerful team, undertake to study the strength and pattern of play of the opponents which constitutes the problem to be solved as well as device a winning strategy.
President Buhari’s administration will be as strong as the team he is able to put together. People are already becoming impatient with him for denying them an early glimpse into the working of his mind with regards to the quality of men who would be working intimately with him in driving the process. It had been expected that, as customary, he would immediately on assuming power name the head of his media team, who would then swing into action in coordinating the use and treatment given news of the inauguration. He failed to do so and only made the announcement more than 48 hours later. Even then, it suggested indecision. I hope not. Then, it was expected that a top policy man or retired top civil servant would be named as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He did not, or perhaps could not. Neither could he decide on who would manage the presidential office staff as Chief of Staff. The tentativeness is being noticed and noted.
But, it is yet early day. Every President is entitled to his style. While this leader has been slow in naming people to key positions, he left no one in doubt that he considers the security challenge a priority. But then, shouldn’t he have waited to constitute his team and work with his security and defence team? Or, does he intend to leave in place the security apparatus that had just failed the country in place? What does he intend to do with the inherited security and service chiefs? We need an efficient defence team to put together strategies and policies to redeem the image of the country and restore peace in the troubled areas.
The economy is in a shambles. Jonathan, despite having a respected former World Bank shief as Coordinating Minister of the Economy, was a colossal failure. He failed to build a prosperous Nigeria. How Buhari intends to achieve this is not very obvious from his party’s manifesto. A lot would depend on those he names to the Finance, National Planning, Solid Minerals, Petroleum and Communications portfolios. Would they be men and women of proven integrity? Would they be nationalists and committed to building a New Nigeria? Our President should begin to work on this. We must, in the next one week know those in whose hands the President is committing Africa’s most populous country.
Then, the power portfolio, the man to run transport, especially the seaports and railway: What about education and health? Only when the gaps have been filled would we know that c hange has come.
My plea with President Buhari is to look critically as the foundation determines the strength of the edifice. There are many people pressing the buttons now, seeking to be appointed on the recommendations of their godfathers. Nigerians did not vote the godfathers. We know who sought and obtained the mandate-the buck stops at his desk.
He should watch out for the following categories of people shoving and waving their resumes at him- the Qualified, not qualified; the Qualified but unavailable; the Available, but incompetent and the Not-so-Qualified but irresistible.
The first category refers to those who have impressive academic qualifications and have availed their services to all previous governments. They understand the system and the game- the right buttons to press. But, in all previous engagements, they had failed the country. Asked, they have legion of reasons to give. They lack strength of character and are therefore not good enough to engage the Change gear. They are vultures and undertakers. They must be avoided.
What about the Qualified, not available? These are. in the main, technocrats who are highly rated and respected by the public but would not be seen anywhere near political offices. They are nauseated by the pattern of political play and fear they could lose their reputation. They see all politicians as the same and would rather live their private lives. Even when they are tempted to consider offers, they are scared of public cynicism and the tendency to tar all public officials with the same brush.
Continues next week