How Buhari Wasted His Integrity
In 2015 when Nigerians decided to give President Muhammadu Buahri a chance to rule the country at the expense of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was due to the ‘change’ mantra being marketed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), and most importantly, Buhari’s strategic propaganda of integrity and promise to fight corruption to a standstill.
President Buhari’s was indeed popular among Nigerians because of his anti-corruption campaign, but his integrity in that regard has so far diminished, as the rate of corrupt practices under his administration within a short period of time has been alarming.
Many Nigerians and political commentators are now convinced that the rate of corruption under Buhari is on a fast lane, and more worrisome is the fact that Mr President seems not to have an idea of how to salvage the situation.
From the Ikoyi mansion billions scandal, to Buratai, Mainagate and Babachir Lawal among others, the President is clueless on how to handle the corruption practices happening right under his nose, and this is a sharp contrast to the impression he gave Nigerians during his election campaign.
After series of criticisms both locally and internationally, President Muhammad Buhari was eventually compelled to formally sack suspended Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal some days ago.
Lawal was replaced by Boss Mustapha who until his appointment was the Director General of the Nigeria inland Waterways. The new SGF hails from Adamawa state.
A statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) on 30 September reads that: “President Muhammadu Buhari has studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which investigated allegations against the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayo Oke.
The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr. Lawal, and has appointed Mr. Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The appointment takes immediate effect.
President Buhari also approved the recommendation to terminate the appointment of Ambassador Oke, and has further approved the setting up of a three-member panel to, among other things, look into the operational, technical and administrative structure of the Agency and make appropriate recommendations.”
But the President’s action, according to Nigerians, came “too late because things have degenerated badly already. I can’t blame the First Lady who kept saying her husband’s government has been hijacked. Buhari has failed us. We voted for him with the hope that he would turn things around for the better, but things are actually worse under him,” Tobi Alaran, a citizen told this magazine.
