Buhari’s next level cabinet

Politicians, especially in Nigeria where corruption in the public space is widely and deeply entrenched, usually make promises even if, and normally, they do not intend to fulfill them.  Few, like the honest, forthright and incorruptible President Muhammadu Buhari make and intend to fulfil their promise.

Of course, politicians who are serious and desirous of fulfilling promises made by them before and during election put in place some mechanisms to realise that.

This week, in order to fulfill his promise to make Nigeria better than he met it, the president said he needs a formidable team to deliver on his ‘Next Level’ promises and commitments to Nigerians.

The president said this during his meeting with members of the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) led by its chairman Mr Omoniyi Akinsiju at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

To highlight a formidable threat and or barrier to the realisation of his promises in the form of corruption, the president said: “Our government continues to grow in strength and will place a firm foundation for future generations. While there will be those who are determined to drag us back to the bad old days….The task ahead for the four years will require a formidable team.”

And, it sure does. A formidable team and, by extension, government, is needed to take the country to the place it ought to be as far as development is concerned.

For years, lack of patriotism and the ineptitude of the supposed leaders were  the main reason why the country has failed to develop despite its oil wealth.

No doubt, the ineffective and inefficient utilisation of the abundant resources and the inefficient social institutions by previous leaders have hampered Nigeria’s development. Under the reign of former leaders, brazen stealing from the public treasury and other forms of official corruption became rampant and weakened state’s institutions and processes.

On the other hand, common people were neglected and leaders, until Buhari came, never felt the need to fulfil their promises. In fact, it seems that the nation, prior to coming of the present administration, neglected the welfare of the citizens, which ought to come first. 

Nigeria has failed to develop because it lacks the preconditions for meaningful economic growth and development. For the nation to progress it must first tame corrupt practices and change the mindset of the population.

Corruption is a daunting obstacle to sustainable development because it affects education, healthcare and poverty alleviation. Thankfully, under the Buhari-led administration, the country is trying to fix its roads, provide reliable electricity and good water supply, and improve its communication systems, and basic health services.

Undoubtedly, the failure to provide good operating environment, such as political stability and rule of law, are among the obstacles for sustainable development. Evidence shows that political instability, created, sustained and promoted by opposition, has caused serious disruption in the economy.

Certainly, a mere democratic form of government is not a prerequisite for development, especially if it results in political instability, like in the case of Nigeria, making it essential for politicians to join hands with this administration to take the country to the next level.

Though this administration is trying to, as the president said, do things in new ways, investment in human capital was neglected for too long. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ills of poverty, illiteracy and violence now disturb the country.

Yet, the solutions to many of Nigeria’s problems lie in the hands of the leader, Buhari, and, happily, he knows that and accepts his responsibility. The president knows that the country would not progress beyond its current level if it does not change the way it conducts its affairs. More importantly, the president and his envisaged members of new team must introduce policies and programmes that would cease to perpetuate poverty, conflicts and violence and guarantee sustainable economic growth and development in the country.

Though many unpublicised achievements have been recorded under this administration, the president should devote more resources to tackling insecurity, promoting economic diversification and fighting corruption because gaining success in these three areas is fundamental to taking Nigeria to the next level.

Agreed, it won’t be easy job to sell this administration’s accomplishments because it’ is, in the words of the president, “doing unpopular things and facing powerful individuals and taking on invested interest who are accustomed to the corrupt era.” Still, things must be done in the right way, regardless of whose interest is touched since “there must be a manifest departure from the old order.”

Why the ICC should stand

Though in some quarters it is considered as African colonial court because many of the 26 cases it has dealt with so far took place in Africa, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has frequently been active in Africa because African states themselves have called upon the court to adjudicate in matters affecting them.

Thus, this week, President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria would continue to support the ICC to enable it fulfil its mandate chief among which is to ensure that international crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression do not go unpunished – and to deter potential perpetrators.

The president, receiving the Nigerian-born President of the ICC, Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, at the State House, appealed to developed countries to take the ICC “more seriously in order to strengthen the rule of law and democracy.”

Now, the ICC only takes up a case if a country is unwilling or not in a position to prosecute a criminal offence. Its jurisdiction is claimed to have worldwide validity, but currently it is still restricted in practice.

Does this, then, explains Buhari’s call on developed countries to accord higher appreciation for the ICC and means that the law does not apply, equally, to all countries?

Apparently, because, at the moment, the ICC is not yet accepted by all countries. Countries regarded as some of the developed like the United States of America, China and Russia continue to regard the court with considerable skepticism.

However, 123 countries, including Nigeria, have acceded to the Statute of the International Criminal Court – and their number will continue to grow.

Notably, the ICC is still in a process of development and, in the light of the call made by the president, it needs the cooperation of all, especially the developing countries where leaders rule with impunity and corruption, to successfully discharge its mandate.

There’s no doubt that the ICC provides a moral strength for victims to receive justice against internal and external injustice.

Agreed, the major successes of the court have been almost exclusively on paper and not in the actual prosecuting or sentencing of criminals. Agreed too that the success of the court has not yet been completely realised, but the framework is in place and is constantly adapting to the changing world that should ensure the success of the court in the future.

No wonder, the president commended Judge Eboe-Osuji for the achievements of the ICC under his presidency. And it is as well gladdening to hear Eboe-Osuji praising the president for his “strong and unambiguous statement in support of the rule of law” and for the court and its principles during his recent visit to the headquarters of the ICC in The Hague.

In fact, it is based on the potentialities of the ICC to make the world saner, safer and just place to live in that the Judge Eboe-Osuji’s appeal to the president to continue to support the ICC must be appreciated.

Of course, like he also pleaded, African leaders whose countries have yet to ratify the Rome Statute which established the ICC should do so in their effort to rid the continent of future despotic and authoritarian rulers.

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