Presidential inauguration speech: Did Nigerians miss anything?

MAYBE, those members of the public who had looked forward to President Muhammadu Buhari delivering an inaugural speech during his second term in office were not circumspect enough. Mr President seems to have devised a way of springing surprises to beat his critics in their own game. About 48 hours to his taking the oath of office, he had adroitly unveiled what looked like his agenda for the next four years of his government. In a close-circuit 24-minute interview on the Nigerian Television Authority relayed on Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network, the President unambiguously highlighted the obvious direction of his government. He talked about the so-called Nigerian elite, who want to dictate the term of engagement of government. Buhari, who reminded critics of his wealth of experience as a former military top brass, equally said the National Assembly tried to usurp the powers of the Executive. Mr President also hinted on consolidation of the success in the fight against insurgency, restating how his government had degraded Boko Haram that now attacks soft targets. The lanky General also spoke about his plan to bite harder and ruthless in the war on corruption; make the police more efficient, as they are supposed to be the “frontline of law and order,” as well as his plan to make the judiciary more responsible, responsive and partner in the days ahead. But the most remarkable ‘item’ encapsulated in his new agenda is that “all those who call me Baba Go slow will see if I am slow” and that it is up to those who might want to test the will of government “to behave themselves and those who want to run away should do so.” Asked if Nigerians should expect to see the real Buhari this time round, he declared: “I do not know what you make of me; but all those who call me Baba go slow will see if am slow or fast.  It means I will persuade the police and the judiciary to be hard and where I discover that they are not hard I will try and trace who is responsible for the slowness in terms of the Commanders of DPOs upward and the IG (Inspector General of Police) alone cannot do everything. He has to depend on commissioners; the commissioners have to depend on DPOs.”

What else could have been in the President’s inauguration address that did not happen on May 29, 2019 at the heavily secured Eagle Square Abuja, where he was administered the oath of office for second term? In the opinion of a few perceptive analysts, the best would have been for the President to tell again, the story contained in his first inauguration of May 29, 2015, which is best remembered for the epigraph on godfatherism: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.”

In the snippet of his new agenda released during the NTA interview, the President spoke of his plan to reverse what he perceived as the “culture” that has been “developed by the National Assembly” that it should dictate the terms of government business rather than the Executive arm, thereby holding the nation to ransom, citing the 2019 Federal Budget that was in the Legislature for seven months.  His words: “I think a culture was developed in the NASS that they should dictate the terms and which was wrong. It is the Executive that dictates the terms and take it before NASS that will examine it agree or disagree with it.  But when they go around opposing that they are the government and not the Executive, then there is a problem and I spoke to the Senate President and the Speaker personally. And they could not deny to hold the country to ransom for seven months without passing the budget. So, in terms of patriotism, I rated them very, very low.  Based on the Constitution, there are things that have to go through them; there is nothing I can do. But to hold a budget for seven months cannot be justified if you really bother about your country.” That is a warning signal to the Ninth National Assembly to be inaugurated in June.

Buhari is averse to the arrogance and mentality of the “so-called Nigerian elite,” who are wont to impressing the population, adopting populist antics and dictating the terms of how things should be done, especially by the Federal Government. He was poignant in conveying his position on such category of citizens. This is how he expressed his indignation on the attitude of the Nigerian elite towards his candidature during the electioneering: “I always knew that the so-called Nigerian elite want to impress on the majority of the population of Nigerians that they do dictate the terms to government at all levels but I found out that the elite are just for themselves. This is why I didn’t bother what they feel about me and what they could do. And I am very pleased that I proved myself right. I hope they could appreciate what sacrifice Nigerians have been making to make for them to enjoy the position they have achieved either materially or politically. I think they should be thanking the rest of Nigerians….” It is yet another sign of the form and shape of things to come in the new dispensation.

Against is the background of and other issues raised in the interview, a lot of analysts wonder what more far-reaching policy statements and programmes could have been contained in an inauguration speech, than a stern warning by Mr President that belligerent forces review their disposition towards the government in the fast-unfolding dispensation. The message is that the authority would not brook nonsense and to use the common parlance in official circles, it will not be business as usual. So, what did the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) find missing on May 29 that warranted the party serving a salvo directed at the jugular of Mr President because he elected not to deliver an inauguration speech heralding his second term in office?

The dust over the action of the President may persist for some time because of the multidimensional challenges confronting the country. A number of other personalities, including leading politicians have joined in examining some inherent and core issues in the development, with some major stakeholders describing the Buhari’s action as curious. While some said they were nonplussed by the action, others stated they were not taken aback because of what they perceived as the ‘tradition’ of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). There were others who believed that it was in the character of the President to perpetually keep people guessing about his style of leadership, which to them, sometimes has the veil of a messiah.  A few of the divergent views will suffice:

ADC national chairman, Chief Ralphs Nwosu

I am not too surprised that there was no inaugural speech. With APC, everything goes. Democratic norms are being desecrated and they do not give a hoot. With APC, Buhari does not have to campaign to be elected. He did not have to present a manifesto. Buhari went to Ibadan for campaign and said nothing to the people; he went to Lagos and promised nothing. In Kogi State, and all other states across Nigeria, he only grudgingly showed up and said nothing to the people. Buhari refused to appear in a well-advertised national television programme for Presidential debate.

The APC as a democratic party condoned that. That is why APC is not taken seriously; and they will lose their relevance the moment the people are able to get their country back. A set of opportunists can only destroy and not build.

President Buhari and his team arrogate so much to themselves; they have this messianic syndrome, and make it look like Nigerians should be happy for having him. Such parochial sanctimony is what has brought us so low for the last four years.

The fact that President Buhari did not give any inaugural speech should be nauseating to any discerning Nigerian, but not the APC members. The country is in distress and the people are in severe pains, beyond trauma, and the President does not see the urgency of the moment. All indicators to the state of health of the nation are in red. If Buhari and the APC actually care for the country and the people, this is a time to create hope, and raise the morale of the people. The inauguration should have been a good occasion to inspire the Nigeria people to action.

Again for a party that imposed themselves against the wishes of the people, what do you expect? I do not expect much. This is fascism with very obvious devious agenda.”

• Elections: Buhari not sit-tight President ― Oshiomhole

Ambassador Makinde Akinlabi

It’s quite clear that President Buhari knows the implications of delivering an inaugural speech because, the Election Tribunal judgment may favour him but that of Supreme Court will not favour him. So, the long term implication of his latest action is that there will be re-run election or total cancellation of the 2019 presidential election; the final judgment of the Supreme Court will not favour them. As you can see, they are preparing for a fresh presidential election; that’s why they want to remove the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Former Nigeria’s envoy to Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide

The inability of the President to present his inauguration speech is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s political transition. Even when the military takes over government, it is part of their tradition to offer a message of hope to the people.  With the level of insecurity and poverty in the land, Nigerians expected the President to assure them that his second term would offer peace, security and prosperity.

The implication of the failure to offer such a message is a clear indication that the President is not making any promise and should not be held responsible for anything. In the face of inability to fulfill his previous election promises ranging from fight against corruption, terrorism and the improvement of the economy, the President is probably not ready to make new promises.

Politician and author, Shehu Bankole-Hameed

I absolutely think that the fact that Buhari chose not to deliver any speech on his inaugural day May 29th, without any known precedence, is ominous, as history does not present us an example of this rude shock beyond our shores. I have used the terms rude shock and ominous to describe the decision for some reasons. Firstly, we are suspicious of the action as an indication that the president hasn’t any new ideal- which is in itself very worrisome. As we all know, the last four years of the president actually brought more poverty to the land. Another way to view the lack of compassion for the millions of his supporters is the rude awakening that the President thinks that he couldn’t do any wrong with these people. A frightening reality! The immediate impact on our psyche is disdain for the value of trust and confidence in democracy and its dividends and in the long run, a total absence of intellectual discourse.

It’s quite clear that President Buhari knows the implications of delivering an inaugural speech because, the Election Tribunal judgment may favour him but that of Supreme Court will not favour him. So, the long term implication of his latest action is that there will be re-run election or total cancellation of the 2019 presidential election; the final judgment of the Supreme Court will not favour them. As you can see, they are preparing for a fresh presidential election; that’s why they want to remove the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Former Nigeria’s envoy to Canada Ambassador Dare Bejide

The inability of the President to present his inauguration speech is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria’s political transition. Even when the military takes over government, it is part of their tradition to offer a message of hope to the people.  With the level of insecurity and poverty in the land, Nigerians expected the President to assure them that his second term would offer peace, security and prosperity.

The implication of the failure to offer such a message is a clear indication that the President is not making any promise and should not be held responsible for anything. In the face of inability to fulfill his previous election promises ranging from fight against corruption, terrorism and the improvement of the economy, the President is probably not ready to make new promises.

Politician and author, Shehu Bankole-Hameed

I absolutely think that the fact that Buhari chose not to deliver any speech on his inaugural day May 29th, without any known precedence, is ominous, as history does not present us an example of this rude shock beyond our shores. I have used the terms rude shock and ominous to describe the decision for some reasons. Firstly, we are suspicious of the action as an indication that the president hasn’t any new ideal- which is in itself very worrisome. As we all know, the last four years of the president actually brought more poverty to the land. Another way to view the lack of compassion for the millions of his supporters is the rude awakening that the President thinks that he couldn’t do any wrong with these people. A frightening reality! The immediate impact on our psyche is disdain for the value of trust and confidence in democracy and its dividends and in the long run, a total absence of intellectual discourse.