Some of President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters have felt let down, and critics have grabbed more ammunition, over appointments and economic uncertainty, and many more now question his ethnic neutrality – in just three months.
It is still early days.
Yet, the shouts of his adversaries – whose henchman is Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose – are gaining traction in a country of vocal people, who readily applaud the president when he does right, and openly take swipes at him when he falters.
Many slips, big and small, characterise Buhari’s100 days in office.
From the simple, when he referred to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as All Nigeria People’s Congress during his visit to the United States in July; to the serious, telling his American audience that “constituencies that gave me 97 per cent (in the election) cannot in all honesty be treated, on some issues, with constituencies that gave me 5 per cent.”
More than 100 days after his inauguration, he has still not appointed a cabinet. His advisers argued that permanent secretaries are carrying out the day to day functions of government.
Atiku happy
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, said Buhari’s 100 days in office have reinforced his confidence that Nigeria is on the path of progress and bright future.
In his view, Nigerians can see clearly with proofs that the country is moving in the right direction charted by Buhari’s leadership style.
“Buhari has boosted his optimism that Nigeria would rebound again,” Atiku said.
Okoye scuffs
But Godson Okoye, the United Democratic Party (UDP) presidential candidate in the 2015 election, poured cold water on the logic.
He said: “Permanent secretaries are here, you (Buhari) announced that you have removed roadblocks; permanent secretaries are there, suddenly you said they are back.
“You said you have recalled all ambassadors. Suddenly somebody remembered you were going to America and then you said the ambassador in the United States should go back.
“Permanent secretaries are there, you dissolved all boards, suddenly you remembered the universities have to function and then you said okay, the universities are not included.
“So what are we talking about? I am only trying to tell you that the system is not as programmed as that of the U.S. And the sooner we realised that, the better for everybody.”
Meddling in NIMASA
Buhari also made a major blunder in appointing a replacement for Patrick Akpobolokemi, the Director General (DG) and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), exposing himself to suspicion of being an ethnic gadfly.
After his sack, Akpobolokemi was directed to hand over to the most senior officer who would remain in charge until the appointment of a new DG.
Callistus Obi (Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services), took over, but on July 25, Aso Rock upturned the appointment and directed Haruna Jauro, (Executive Director Finance and Administration), to become acting DG.
This followed a protest by Jauro to the Ministry of Transport that he joined NIMASA 24 hours before Obi, and hence, was his senior.
The action jolted many because both men were appointed on the same day by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Obi is from Anambra State in the South East, and Jauro from Yobe State in the North East.
Denies ‘My Covenant With Nigerians’
The most recent blunder by Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) is the denial that a key campaign document, “My Covenant With Nigerians”, did not emanate from them.
In the document, Buhari said he would declare his assets publicly if elected, and outlined many things he would achieve in 100 days.
His assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were not made public until Thursday, September 4.
On April 29, Buhari himself, while inaugurating his 19-member transition committee on the handover of power, asked the committee to suggest ‘quick fixes’ which would result in tangible, visible, and practical measures so that change would be seen after 30 days, after 100 days, and after six months of him taking office.
Analysts wonder why Buhari has distanced himself from the document.
Concern about public perception
“In politics, perception is everything. Even if Buhari did not promise anything, those managing his perception index should have done a better job by saying that this is what he said during the campaign, and this is what he has done in 100 days,” argued Tunde Oseni, a lecturer in politics and international relations at Lead City University, Ibadan.
He added that while Buhari has made efforts at religious balancing by appointing both Christians and Muslims in his government, he has failed to consider the ethnic and regional factor.
“The opposition party is already capitalising on that. He has to correct that perception.”
Improvements versus lacunas
Oseni said although it is too early to assess whether Buhari’s presidency has been a bad or good one, the improvement in electricity, foreign policy dynamics, and the anti-corruption posture of the government, put him in favourable rating.
Buhari has also not outlined any substantial economic policy and there are no signs of effective governance, leading to the stalling of many projects, including the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Abeokuta Expressways, due to the non-payment of contractors.
He recently directed that the second Niger Bridge project be put on hold.
The surge of confidence that followed his electoral victory may be ebbing.
