By Adetunji Ayobrown
Only intensity can give eminence; extent alone can never rise above mediocrity, a misfortune that had befallen the race of men. The ‘opportunity cost’ for Buhari was to visit his cows rather than the grieving families of the abducted school children.
In Buhari farms; all animals may be equal but some are more precious than human beings. It is nothing but an untasteful private visit; many were seen in a video angrily booing President Buhari. Elicited huge local and international criticisms, many called it a bad show for Buhari. Sadly, at this time of our national tragedy, our president is seen visiting and cuddling his cows in Daura.
That better be a soundbites and not an attitude, for no nation is counted worthy with such leadership style. Understandably or not, old age is never of concern to many but with recent events, it’s now giving cause for concern. For most of what he had said or done in the past few years, are not much of anything to be proud of.
A video showing President Mohammadu Buhari visiting his cows, came up barely a day after the President, who is also in Daura, Katsina State, failed to visit the Katsina school where over 300 school children were abducted but rather sent a delegation from Abuja, several kilometres away, to visit the school and sympathise with families of the victims.
X-raying issues within the Nigeria polity shows it deserves more than 3-dimensional approaches and responses in its quests in which only more than an armchair president with versatile economic team can provide.
To the Grand Patron, Buhari, all thanks or what can we say to the leadership of MACABAN/Miyetti Allah that facilitated release of abducted Katsina students, according to Masari, perhaps the organisations relate well with each other, they meet, bend and talk sometimes Nigerians are more worried.
Nigerians took a swipe on President Muhammadu Buhari shortly after the video surfaced online of him visiting his ranch rather than visiting the school where some boys were abducted.
Laughable in any language, that President Buhari, value of lives of Nigerians is lesser when compared to his cattle herds. Kanakara school can burn for as long as his ranches are fine. It is a case between ‘Sokoto Gudali’ and Red Bororo’ cow species and homo-sapiens, the human being.
Failure of which except there are individuals with national interest at hearts that can go beyond the ordinary, would dare many personal dangers to rise to the occasion in order to challenge such decadents.
The video showed Buhari touring his ranch in Katsina in company of his aides while the pupils of Government Boys Science Secondary School in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State were abducted by unknown gunmen. Where is the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its members in this critical time of national call to lend their voices? Sadly, they are found wanting; they seem to be in absentia across the states of the nation and at the National Assembly.
It is as if it is democracy without democrats? If not, where are the heroes at times like this? Where is the National Assembly; the supposed bastion of our democracy? Where is the Judiciary; last hope of the common man, why is thy legal prowess in times like this?
In the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended, is there no provision for such situation of incapacitation like this. What is expected of other arms of government and what is expected of you, as Nigerian citizens?
It is the elites who made the choice of who become elected. If this happened during their time, how would the likes of our founding fathers attend to this. ‘If ye all allowed Buhari to fail thy nation in thy presence and time, not only the president alone, but all ye failed our generation’.
Perhaps, our country is full of people of presumed integrity within this government who are active only on the face value. By not standing up on the side of truth, are we all not counted among those supporting this mess, perhaps enjoying from our unending national calamity and sorrows.
Election is said to be the bedrock of democracy. In all sincerity, as expressed through the ballot box, is this the Nigeria we voted for?
Beyond mere kicking, Northern elders may condemn Buhari over the schoolboys’ abduction but beyond such attacks, is there no role ascribed to organisations like JNI around its region in a country like Nigeria that is bedevilled by insecurity. If none, then, we need our own constitution different from what was handed over to us.
The UN and UNICEF may flay the kidnap, but also beyond such, many treaties signed by the nation are supposed to come to play in times like this. Being the global watchdogs, our country need your attention at this critical moment.
It better explains competency or incompetency in its most terrible shape and form. Ministers and presidential aides are better prepare good responses for posterity is in the waiting.
Yes, it may be obvious that Buhari is not competent, but more than him, what about those around him? Better understanding reasons why national restructuring became a must.
But what about the people of the community, they are so powerless to the extent that no single individual or group abled enough to raise any eyebrow against these terrorists during hours of their operations.
From cross sections of the public, no single positive comment emanated after watching the video. Even a right decision at a wrong time is a bad decision. In case of incapacitation, there must be provisions for others to act in our constitution, if not, then there is no constitution.
Though, government claimed.
Understandably why it was pure negotiation, those involved include governor’s adviser, top military and police operatives, and also members of Miyetti Allah. It was purely negotiation, though, no ransom was paid before the boys were released was the claim, yes or no. Nigerians are happy for the boys are their families.
Whether or not those who kidnapped the boys were Boko Haram or bandits; from all other Nigerians the MACABAN/Miyetti Allah should in the name of Allah appeal to their sister organisations to put final end to all these senseless killings and kidnappings.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via [email protected]
