APC and the NOSE DIVING ECONOMY: AN Open Letter to Buhari

Okanlawon Tijjani

APC and the NOSE DIVING ECONOMY: AN Open Letter to Buhari

Dear Mr. President,

The 2015 General Elections in Nigeria will forever remain in the history of Nigerian electoral system as one of the most unpredictable election that is filled with fear, suspense and propagandas. It was a year that the political class of Nigeria came to the realization that the era of GODFATHERISM, MONEY POLITICS AND MASS RIGGING is over. Nigerians through the social media, street, and market places all spoke with one voice ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Certain factors were responsible for the support gotten by APC at the 2015 general polls, they are:

* Insecurity across the nation: (This is the main reason for the support of a change mantra)

* Decline in power supply

* Perceived corruption: (though Nigerians never knew the degree of corruption in the public sector prior to the elections).

It’s almost a year now after the APC victory at the general polls and some gubernatorial and senatorial elections have taken place with the ruling party winning just the Kogi State guber. Something is thus definitely wrong.

Dear Mr. President, in the world today, two societal issues are key to and for the successes of a ruling party at the polls, they are: SECURITY and ECONOMY!

In 2008, president Obama of the United State won the general elections at a time when the economy of the US was in a bad state of crunch.  Nigerians voted for a change in ruling party because of unending security challenges, ranging from terrorism and insurgency in the North East, kidnapping in the South East and armed robbery in the West.

These two issues are so bonded that a neglect of one affects the fulfillment of the other. When a government concentrates on economy and neglects the security challenges, electorates will see no reason to continue with such a government, same goes when the government improves on security issues but has poor economic ratings.

In Nigeria today, permit me to say the truth as it is from the street. There are some APC lead states that if elections were to hold in such state today, APC will lose out. The reasons are not far-fetched: UNDER-PERFORMANCE.

KADUNA STATE: In Kaduna State, the governor is sure one of the best in the country; however, he has failed to commence physically seen projects most especially the abandoned projects of Late Patrick Yakowa. Though the lights up Kaduna street poles are noticeable, citizens are concerned about the slow pace of work in the state.

NIGER STATE: Niger state is said to have the worst government as at February 2016. The state governor is not always on seat and his deputy is not totally accepted by chieftains in the state. The state was one of the last states to swear in commissioners. Some APC members are now saying that the new governor is worse than the Babangida Aliyu lead government.

OSUN  STATE: Governor Aregbesola has been having challenges with financial funds for the state. Frequent strikes by various civil organizations are now a norm in the state.

OYO STATE. After the elections, Governor Ajimobi has slow down the pace of government activities. He is now seen more at social functions than state issue base functions.

Sir, some aides close to the governors and your humble self might discard the above mentioned states and the possibility of APC to lose such states in coming elections if all things being equal and remain the same as at today.

Yesterday an election was held in Benue South which was fiercely contested between Senator David Mark of PDP and Daniel Onjeh of APC. Going by our opinion polls in the region, a large number of people who voted for APC at the general elections in 2015 refused voting for same party on the account that the APC lead government has nothing to show that it is capable of giving them a better economy.

Let's  come back to the nitty gritty of this letter sir, `THE ECONOMY`.

Mr. President Sir, some school of thought believes that the APC lead government has poor economic Think-Tanks that are officially meant to advice Aso rock on economic matters. Others believe that Mr. President concentrate more on the fight against corruption than rescuing the nose-diving economy. Someone also supported his claim base on the fact that Aso Rock has appointed 5 Special assistance on New Media and none on Economy related appointments.

Whatever are the opinions of Nigerians on the dwindling economic situations, facts must be made mentioned.

The present government inherited a decade and an half of deceptive economy.
All oil producing countries are in similar economic meltdown.
Past government have been myopic about future realities of crude oil values.
We have more revenue leakages/wastages than revenue savings.

From the above, we can deductively opine that President Muhammadu Buhari came at a right time! Why am I saying this? Am saying this simply because nobody has refute the fact that Nigeria now has a President that has a personality of firmness, focus, and incorruptible. Such personality is much needed when a country is in a state of total collapse.

What to do

Mr. President Sir, Nigeria should as a matter of urgency embark on an immediate short term and long term economic projections.

The short term plan should involve an immediate release of cash to the society via timely payment of civil servant salaries. Most salaries are now paid a week into the new month. Best payment of monthly salary is 26th-28th of every month. During festive periods, salaries MUST be paid before the festive date. It was funny last year during the ed-Kabir when Muslim faithfuls were denied the opportunity of buying rams because of non-payment of salaries. There is always a ripple effect on the economy when salaries are paid before festive date. Our salary system should be reformed. Most effective format of salary payment is fortnight payment. If a worker is being paid #35,000 ( thirty five thousand naira), the government can pay him/her #15,000 first week and two weeks after #20,000.

The second short term plan model around the Keynesian Theory. To a large extent, the Nigeria economy revolves round constructions and other governmental contracts. Waiting on the 2016 budget is a formal way of prolonging the sufferings of the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   LET THE WORKS BEGIN.

The long term projection is based on a genuine and realistic diversification of revenue generation. Past leaders have successfully implemented diversification of Nigeria economy only on papers! There is a new trend of buying made in Nigeria. It is also a way out at the long run, but the government must ensure that raw materials are produced mainly in Nigeria. We can’t be promoting made in Nigeria when 85% of needed raw materials are imported. Let’s wake up the tanneries, textile, Ajaokuta steel, cocoa, rubber and groundnut productions.

Finally sir, the fight against corruption has the blessings and support of well-meaning Nigerians, yes corruption will fight back with more vigor and craftiness than the anti-corruption fight itself, however, the worst case scenario for the future of Nigeria will be a situation when this government fails to deliver its promises economically in so much that it can’t be succeeded by a like-minded government. All your efforts sir will be culminated in the proverbial picturesque of a man that uses basket to fetch water from the river.

May the Almighty God grant you the wisdom and guidance to lead Nigeria aright and bestow around you with sincere whisperers at the Villa.

 

   Okanlawon Tijjani

( A concerned Nigerian)