Cutting across different age brackets, professional backgrounds and geopolitical zones, respondents in a Public Opinion Poll (POP) conducted by Sunday Tribune online, observed that the country is currently beset with daunting challenges that need a quick fix.
With the title “Now that President Muhammadu Buhari is back in the country and has fully resumed as the President, what immediate change do you expect him to effect or what are your expectations from him? no fewer than 700 respondents spoke on their wish lists for the president, barely a few hours after the post appeared on the Facebook account of Tribune titles.
About 50 per cent of the respondents advocated a paradigm shift in the government policies on the economy, as they expressed loss of confidence in the impact so far.
The wide ranging issues raised by the respondents included the ongoing strike action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), the economy, imperative of cabinet reshuffle, replication of United Kingdom health facilities in Nigeria; introduction of price control mechanism on essential food items.
Others are the need to jail corrupt politicians, reopen international borders to allow more food import, tackle ethnic agitations, embrace dialogue, the rule of law, proliferation and mopping up of illegal arms, the issue of minimum age, depreciating value of Naira to the US dollars.
Below are the views of the respondents, who cut across the country:
Chidiadi Chibyke: “In my own opinion, I think Buhari should have addressed the issue of Boko Haram in the North-East, the unfortunate quit notice by the Arewa youths and subsequent declaring national emergency on how to boost the economy and the welfare of Nigeria.”
Kola Lambo: “If Buhari didn’t choose to rule, his health wouldn’t be like this. He loves his country, whether he got it right or wrong, this is one fact, he chooses his country first, over his life. Age with grace PMB.”
Kazeem Kareem: “Inflation must be critically reviewed. Naira is no more valued; N1000, Nigeria’s biggest money denomination means nothing even to kids. Nigeria’s problems would be solved if buyers can have value for their purchase.”
Stating his position, Olayinka Isola listed that the president should: “Address the insecurity, such as kidnapping, terrorism and extra judicial killings and also address the economic front,” as according to him, the prices of essential commodities need to come down.
Commenting, Adetutu Jerome Akinbohun, said: “If he loves Nigeria to remain as one, he should send a bill to the National Assembly to discuss the Nigerian question – RESTRUCTURING, otherwise, he will not survive the troublesome impending implosion and his name will go down in history as a bad leader.”
According to Ojobu Ewere Ema, “Let Mr President resign and take proper care of his health earn earn the honor. What goes around comes around; he asked Yar’Adua to resign when he was sick. So, he should be a man of principle.”
A respondent, Yusuf Abubakar, said: “I think strengthening the economy is the most important thing to do at the moment. Oh, I forgot, Nnamdi Kanu should be arrested as soon as possible so that he could face justice.
Similarly, Hakeem Boniface said: “He’s very much old now. He needs good rest after this first term. Please let his cabal allow him to rest after this tenure. For now, he should stop witch-hunting the PDP, dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu, Oduduwa agitators and Niger Delta agitators.”
Layi Adebayo: “Thank God for giving him his health back. However, I will want him to have a chat with Nigerians in a live telecast like he did some time ago. This will reassure the citizenry that the man has justified the expenses he used in the course of his treatment and therefore shut the mouths of the doubting Thomases.”
Ignatius Mmaduabuchi: “Please, I think that he needs to change his attitude to all national issues, restructure Nigeria and grant Biafra freedom, knowing too well that the injustices done to them both now and before cannot be healed. Any further plan by Nigeria that includes Biafrans will fail, as their mind is made up.”
Mohammed Ya’u: “Please, my own massage to him is that he should notice that when he came back, so many people jubilated because of his arrival, because they were happy the one who will reduce their hardship was around. So, please let him do what will reduce the hardship in the country; that also will help in stabilising the country.”
Caleb Alkamu: “He [Buhari] is not God; hence, I don’t expect any immediate change from him.
Bello Aliyu Isah: “My expectations are that he should ensure continuity of execution of capital projects; deal with culprits and speed up local government autonomy.
Henry Kpakol: “He should come and reconstruct some parts of the East-West road here in Ogoni land, which he promised us two years ago and he should give contract work to indigenous contractors across the country so that people will have sense of belonging to his government.”
Ecafi Nobu: “He should immediately invite IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo for a meeting to plead with them. If he does that, the tension will reduce. He also needs to tackle inflation and unemployment and query the governors for not paying salaries and pension arrears.”
Afolabi Semiu Olanrewaju: “As the president, he should call for the meeting of the Council of State and discuss the issue of restructuring being clamoured for; whether it should be or not. He should urgently address the issue of Boko Haram and also reshuffle his cabinet for optimum performance.”
Oyebisi Olufemi, on his part, stated: “The president should, as a matter of urgency, address the epileptic power supply in the country. We need power to drive the economy.”
and then