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No Excuses, Mr President - Daily Independent
President Muhammadu Buhari does not cease to amaze Nigerians with some of his statements since he became the first citizen of the country. During his inauguration as president of Nigeria, he came out with a statement that, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”, which to most Nigerians implied that he would serve as President to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribal or religious affiliation.
Equally worthy of note from the statement is his readiness to be a man of his own. Then, just last week Monday, in far away Johannesburg, South-Africa, the President reportedly made another controversial statement while addressing the Nigerian community in that country.
According to media reports, President Buhari expressed regrets at not becoming Nigeria’s leader at a younger age, noting that there was a limit to what he could accomplish now at the age of 72. He said, “How I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man… Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.” Of course the statement has generated a lot of controversy among Nigerians.
But the question this Newspaper is inclined to ask is: When has old age become a criterion for performance? Recall that Ronald Wilson Reagan, the fortieth of United States of America (USA) President (1981-1989), was the oldest man to serve as Chief Executive. Indeed he was 69 years old at the time of his election. In spite of the fact that some members of his Republican party made an issue of his age, he fought a strong campaign against George Bush and became the Republican candidate for the Presidency. Most importantly however, is that Reagan went on to become one of the greatest Presidents of the USA with his achievements.
Buhari could still follow on the footsteps of Reagan. He needs to understand that Nigerians voted for him on the basis of his antecedents and the promises he made to them.
Need we remind the President of his campaign promises to Nigerians, which include the pledge to strengthen the country’s economy further and create jobs for Nigerians? Others are the desire to secure the territorial integrity of the nation, infrastructural development and fundamental political reforms and improvement in governance, including currency stabilisation.
That is why we feel that there should be no excuses for non-performance by President Buhari as such would be unacceptable to Nigerians. The President certainly has a social contract with the people having elected him for four years, based on his programmes. Therefore he must fulfil his promises. Enough of excuses. He should hit the ground running
No Excuses, Mr President - Daily Independent
President Muhammadu Buhari does not cease to amaze Nigerians with some of his statements since he became the first citizen of the country. During his inauguration as president of Nigeria, he came out with a statement that, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody”, which to most Nigerians implied that he would serve as President to all Nigerians, irrespective of tribal or religious affiliation.
Equally worthy of note from the statement is his readiness to be a man of his own. Then, just last week Monday, in far away Johannesburg, South-Africa, the President reportedly made another controversial statement while addressing the Nigerian community in that country.
According to media reports, President Buhari expressed regrets at not becoming Nigeria’s leader at a younger age, noting that there was a limit to what he could accomplish now at the age of 72. He said, “How I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man… Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.” Of course the statement has generated a lot of controversy among Nigerians.
But the question this Newspaper is inclined to ask is: When has old age become a criterion for performance? Recall that Ronald Wilson Reagan, the fortieth of United States of America (USA) President (1981-1989), was the oldest man to serve as Chief Executive. Indeed he was 69 years old at the time of his election. In spite of the fact that some members of his Republican party made an issue of his age, he fought a strong campaign against George Bush and became the Republican candidate for the Presidency. Most importantly however, is that Reagan went on to become one of the greatest Presidents of the USA with his achievements.
Buhari could still follow on the footsteps of Reagan. He needs to understand that Nigerians voted for him on the basis of his antecedents and the promises he made to them.
Need we remind the President of his campaign promises to Nigerians, which include the pledge to strengthen the country’s economy further and create jobs for Nigerians? Others are the desire to secure the territorial integrity of the nation, infrastructural development and fundamental political reforms and improvement in governance, including currency stabilisation.
That is why we feel that there should be no excuses for non-performance by President Buhari as such would be unacceptable to Nigerians. The President certainly has a social contract with the people having elected him for four years, based on his programmes. Therefore he must fulfil his promises. Enough of excuses. He should hit the ground running
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