M
mrsam
Guest
President Muhammadu Buhari is sick – that statement has become an undeniable fact after months of denials. We may not know the name of the President’s ailment, but we know that all is not well with him. After weeks of evading public eyes, on 7th May, the President left for a fresh batch of treatment in the United Kingdom.
It’s been almost two weeks since he left and he’s yet to be photographed in publicor even photographed in the Nigerian High Commission London wearing his famous jalabiya that has become a major part of his photos taken abroad.
When there is information vacuum, rumours abound. Already there are rumours that President Buhari has been proclaimed dead in an unnamed London hospital. The Presidency is yet to issue a clear ‘Buhari is not dead’ statement; however, his spokesman, Garba Shehu, recently issued a statement assuring Nigerians that ‘’nothing unpleasant has happened to the president’’. In a country with an average life expectancy of 53.1 years, is the death of a 74-year old man an unpleasant event?
While some may want Buhari dead for diverse reasons; we however pray that the President recovers well enough to continue governance or resign willingly. We do not pray for his recovery because we’re good people or because we do not believe in die by fire prayers. We pray for his recovery because Nigeria needs President Muhammadu Buhari alive.
Why Nigeria Needs Buhari Alive:
President Buhari is needed alive for a variety of reasons – ranging from noble to selfish political reasons. He is needed alive because his life serves more purpose for Nigeria.
1. Conflict aversion
At this point, Nigeria cannot afford to bury another serving President, more so, one from the North. Rumour mongers up north are claiming that President Buhari was poisoned by southern Christians with the same poison that killed Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua [although it is a fact that UMYA didn’t die from poisoning].
Recently, a small document titled ‘’How Buhari was poisoned’’ was circulated on the streets for just N500 a copy. The book detailed how the British intelligence agency, M16 through Bishop Welby, informed President Buhari that his sickness was as a result of poisoning. The document claimed that the poison was put into the air conditioner system in the President’s room. On that fateful day, after inhaling the air, the President began coughing and vomiting blood.
Before it was made into a paper document, this rumour had long spread in the North. This deadly rumour will most likely lead to major conflicts in parts of the country should Buhari die. Remember the innocent lives that were slain when Buhari lost the Presidential election in 2011?
Already, there are rumours that some military officers are planning a coup. The Coup is said to be the reason behind the recent shake-up in the military and the terse warning to officers to hands off politics. Buhari needs to stay alive so that hundreds, maybe thousands of Nigerian lives are not wasted on his account.
2. Political Stability
Democratic Nigeria operates based on a North-South power rotation. President Buhari is currently serving the term of the North, which officially ends in 2023. Should he suddenly step down in the middle of the first term, the timer immediately resets, guaranteeing the North 8 fresh years. The same insane agitation for power that followed Yar’Adua’s demise is bound to repeat itself.
Already, Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic lawmaker has said that the North will insist on a fresh 8 years in power should President Buhari be unable to finish his tenure. Refusing them, the fresh 8 years will only lead to conflict; agreeing to give them the fresh 8 years will also cause conflict in other parts of the country. Nigeria is expected to have an Igbo President in 2023; pushing it further will only strengthen agitators against One Nigeria. Either way, Nigeria does not win.
3. Recession
Political stability is strongly tied to economic progress. As Nigeria slowly claws its way out of recession, a healthy President Buhari is even more important to the Nigerian economy. A large influx of investors is needed if the country must succeed in overcoming recession. Investors in Africa do not like political uncertainty, especially one that may affect their returns. Investors need to get a clear message on who is in charge and what to expect.
4. Buhari needs to stay healthy and complete what he started. He has spent too long trying to be President. Nigeria needs Buhari to complete at least 1 term as a democratic President. We need to see how his anti-corruption war and his economic policies pan out after 4 years. We don’t need people running to the street with ‘’He didn’t have one full term’’ as an excuse for his failure.
His success/failure will no doubt determine the fate of other men from his generation who want to govern Nigeria.
----------------------------------------------------------
Gather round people, let’s hold hands and pray to the Nigerian God for President Buhari’s speedy recovery. Let’s fast if needs be, denying our bellies the meals that are already too expensive. Let’s pray for President Buhari’s health.
It’s been almost two weeks since he left and he’s yet to be photographed in publicor even photographed in the Nigerian High Commission London wearing his famous jalabiya that has become a major part of his photos taken abroad.
When there is information vacuum, rumours abound. Already there are rumours that President Buhari has been proclaimed dead in an unnamed London hospital. The Presidency is yet to issue a clear ‘Buhari is not dead’ statement; however, his spokesman, Garba Shehu, recently issued a statement assuring Nigerians that ‘’nothing unpleasant has happened to the president’’. In a country with an average life expectancy of 53.1 years, is the death of a 74-year old man an unpleasant event?
While some may want Buhari dead for diverse reasons; we however pray that the President recovers well enough to continue governance or resign willingly. We do not pray for his recovery because we’re good people or because we do not believe in die by fire prayers. We pray for his recovery because Nigeria needs President Muhammadu Buhari alive.
Why Nigeria Needs Buhari Alive:
President Buhari is needed alive for a variety of reasons – ranging from noble to selfish political reasons. He is needed alive because his life serves more purpose for Nigeria.
1. Conflict aversion
At this point, Nigeria cannot afford to bury another serving President, more so, one from the North. Rumour mongers up north are claiming that President Buhari was poisoned by southern Christians with the same poison that killed Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua [although it is a fact that UMYA didn’t die from poisoning].
Recently, a small document titled ‘’How Buhari was poisoned’’ was circulated on the streets for just N500 a copy. The book detailed how the British intelligence agency, M16 through Bishop Welby, informed President Buhari that his sickness was as a result of poisoning. The document claimed that the poison was put into the air conditioner system in the President’s room. On that fateful day, after inhaling the air, the President began coughing and vomiting blood.
Before it was made into a paper document, this rumour had long spread in the North. This deadly rumour will most likely lead to major conflicts in parts of the country should Buhari die. Remember the innocent lives that were slain when Buhari lost the Presidential election in 2011?
Already, there are rumours that some military officers are planning a coup. The Coup is said to be the reason behind the recent shake-up in the military and the terse warning to officers to hands off politics. Buhari needs to stay alive so that hundreds, maybe thousands of Nigerian lives are not wasted on his account.
2. Political Stability
Democratic Nigeria operates based on a North-South power rotation. President Buhari is currently serving the term of the North, which officially ends in 2023. Should he suddenly step down in the middle of the first term, the timer immediately resets, guaranteeing the North 8 fresh years. The same insane agitation for power that followed Yar’Adua’s demise is bound to repeat itself.
Already, Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic lawmaker has said that the North will insist on a fresh 8 years in power should President Buhari be unable to finish his tenure. Refusing them, the fresh 8 years will only lead to conflict; agreeing to give them the fresh 8 years will also cause conflict in other parts of the country. Nigeria is expected to have an Igbo President in 2023; pushing it further will only strengthen agitators against One Nigeria. Either way, Nigeria does not win.
3. Recession
Political stability is strongly tied to economic progress. As Nigeria slowly claws its way out of recession, a healthy President Buhari is even more important to the Nigerian economy. A large influx of investors is needed if the country must succeed in overcoming recession. Investors in Africa do not like political uncertainty, especially one that may affect their returns. Investors need to get a clear message on who is in charge and what to expect.
4. Buhari needs to stay healthy and complete what he started. He has spent too long trying to be President. Nigeria needs Buhari to complete at least 1 term as a democratic President. We need to see how his anti-corruption war and his economic policies pan out after 4 years. We don’t need people running to the street with ‘’He didn’t have one full term’’ as an excuse for his failure.
His success/failure will no doubt determine the fate of other men from his generation who want to govern Nigeria.
----------------------------------------------------------
Gather round people, let’s hold hands and pray to the Nigerian God for President Buhari’s speedy recovery. Let’s fast if needs be, denying our bellies the meals that are already too expensive. Let’s pray for President Buhari’s health.
