On Buhari’s democratic freedom

President Muhammadu Buhari has broken the record to be the only Nigerian president who has virtually provided a level ground for democracy to thrive in all ramifications; he commands an unparallel leadership charisma. His democratic regime has deepened democracy in Nigeria. He has won the love of Nigerians and the people of the world as a rare gem in democratic institutionalization.

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Let me pinpoint areas where Buhari has been recognised as the first. For the first time in Nigeria, money politics is becoming obsolete. The borders are very tight against “importation” of hard currency by politicians; the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is tightly monitored against financial sharp practices. Buhari has warned against the use of any money from the government treasury for his re-election campaign. He reiterated his commitment to eliminate corruption in campaign financing in the country and directed cabinet ministers to take advantage of technology to reach out to voters on the need to return the APC led administration.

This is the first time, an incumbent president will openly make such proclamation. Nigerians want change and Buhari has proved beyond doubts that he can deliver that change. He has taken drastic actions to ensure that Nigerians are no longer swayed by money politics. Though it will take sometimes to fully materialise, the 2019 electioneering experience is just the starting stage.

For the first time, many political parties are participating freely in Nigerian general elections despite the fact that the “free money” in the name of grants to parties during the PDP era is over. What does this signify? It means that despite the fact that INEC does not give free money again, the democratic environment is much more conducive. If it were in the past, PDP would have bought over almost all the parties in the name of solidarity. Now, political parties do not even have the free money to lobby for alliance.

With some of the parties sounding like business and worship outfits, I want to believe that most of them are allowed because of the boundless democratic freedom of Buhari’s regime. For the first time the National Assembly has held the executive arm of government hostage. The controversy over the leadership of the National Assembly can only be tolerated by Buhari’s democracy.

In the past, who dared the executive arm from the legislative arm and went free. Nigeria’s history is full of cases of forceful change of leaderships of the assembly with impunity and grand style. Most of the appointments made by the PDP have remained unchanged throughout the Buhari government. Yes, Buhari’s democracy cuts a sharp edge between the two lives, however by not squeezing the women folks but limiting their interference in governance on the accounts of marital relationship.

Muhammad Ajah,

 Abuja.