By Olabode Ayo-Phillips
It was the legendary Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, a former Presidential candidate in the Second Republic who made the plea for change in one of his numerous manifesto speeches: “Fellow Nigerians, the country is in a terrible state of decadent paralysis and there is no point heaping the blame on the discontinuous politicians that have ruled our lives for so long. Together with you, let us make the change …”.
The late legal colossus and Nigeria Advance Party(NAP) presidential standard-bearer promised to give Nigerians a better living condition and modern social system. It is instructive to note that this postulation is, in fact, an amplification and hallmark of what the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Gani Fawehmi and others stood by and for.
A peep into the ethos of the past administrations (civilian and military alike) that so much elicited the change mantra is that over the years, governance has represented every other interest other than the people – the masses.
Against this background, it could be termed a big fraud, if government derives its legitimacy and power from the people. This has been an age-long battle and daggers drawn situation with the protagonists of change till today.
The fact still remains that positive change has been most elusive as regards good governance in Nigeria.
Yes, positive change there has been in terms of people-oriented programmes, addressing the fundamental needs of the downtrodden – food, employment and modern social amenities – such as good and affordable housing schemes, passable road networks, critical infrastructure, good healthcare, quality and qualitative education for the people, among others.
One of the greatest cankerworms that has bedeviled governance in Nigeria is lack of CONTINUITY. Apart from corruption, it is ubiquitous, whether at the federal or state levels; even within the same party, continuity remains dreaded and elusive. It is undebatable that successive administrations from independence have turned out to be worse off in virtually everything. Save the Muritala Mohammed, Buhari/Idiagbon interregnum. Why? Because there had been no continuity in governance.
For example, after a two-party arrangement in the1993 general election produced the widely adjudged freest election in the land which produced the business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as the winner in the election that was unreasonably annulled, years later, a Daniel came to judgment, the annulment was reversed.
The point being made here is, if a policy has produced a good result, it should be consolidated upon by the next government simply disregarded the two-party arrangement through the electoral commission and opted for another option, which has created so much problem till today.
However, Lagos, a cosmopolitan state and unarguably the nation’s commercial capital in Nigeria (Do not want to take anyone for granted) seems to be detached from this malady especially with the advent of Bola Ahmed Tinubu who from political obscurity became a senator and today has become an enigma of sort.
The transformation of Lagos – new Lagos began from his administration and afterwards, he successfully bequeathed a legacy that is not just worthy of note, but worthy of emulation – a legacy of continuity which engendered the transformation Lagos is experiencing today in terms of better living conditions and modern social system fostered also by Babatunde Raji Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode.
The baton of continuity is set to be passed on to Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu. Indeed, Lagos cannot be more assured, insured and secured. Lagos State has over this period witnessed a massive boost, monumental transformation and a meteoric rise to the first among equals. Now for a gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, who is fast becoming a serial gubernatorial loser to choose play politics with the very instrument of that has weld Lagos together and to this enviable feat is the height of hypocrisy, sycophancy and disservice to the good people of Lagos he aspires to lead. Otherwise, how else does one interpret his assertion that Sanwo-olu is Tinubu’s whatever term in office. Away! with discontinuous pseudo politicians.
The same genuine passion to lessen the burden of the downtrodden is what Bola Ahmed Tinubu is instilling in the Buhari/Osinbajo administration, which is evidently robbing off on the administration. Buhari cannot but be qualified for second term in office. He is bold enough to frontally confront the number one enemy, plaguing governance in Nigeria, CORRUPTION, and ever ready to continue to combat the hydra-headed monster, fighting back.
Today, trillions of Naira, Pounds Sterling, Dollars even Euros has already been recovered and been put to good use. In the agricultural sector, a kind of revolution has been achieved. This government has been able to save $21 Billion from food importation that are now produced locally that would ordinarily have been imported e.g. rice.
More so, bags of fertilizers now get to the real farmers directly, gone are the days when these facilities are diverted to private pockets and political farmers with a parcel of land.
Another landmark gain of the government is the implementation the Single Treasury Account (TSA) which has eliminated ghost workers drastically and other sharp practices in public and private offices. Construction of road networks upon by the government, especially Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Abuja-Kaduna railroad has led to the reduction of cost of transportation of agricultural products coming in from various parts of the country. The power generation effort of this government is also worthy of note. As at today, the Power Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola disclosed recently an additional 3,000MW has been added to the existing 3,000MW to make a total of 6,000MW. The implication of this is that what this government achieved within four years is what it took Obasanjo, Yar’ Adua and Jonathan administrations to achieve in 20 years.
Today unlike before now, Nigeria is no longer a laughing stock among the commity of nations, recognition and respect is daily being accorded our president. This is the structural change on which a new Nigeria like New Lagos is been built. This is the time for continuity.
It is a matter of time before the gains of this government be visible. This is a feat that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and self-styled military President Ibrahim Babangida acknowledged in the first and second letters they wrote to President Buhari before their vacillation.
Quite frankly their vacillation cannot and will not change the “Noble Cause” providence has bestowed on President Muhammed Buhari for these perilous times. Let us expect the consolidation of the gains, the real reason he deserves the second term.
AYO-PHILLIPS is of the Media and Publicity Directorate of Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu Campaign Organizations (BOSCO), Ikeja, Lagos.
