25th June, 2015
I’m not a big fan of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, in fact, I’m not a fan of Wike at all but in recent weeks, he’s caught my eye and I’m pretty much impressed by the actions of this stern-looking man.
Going after Rotimi Amaechi’s government and exposing all types of corruption in the immediate past government of Rivers State was one of his campaign promises and its one he has dispatched vigorously and jealously.
Shortly after he was sworn-in he made his witch-hunting intentions known, going after anyone and everyone who worked with Amaechi’s administration.
In the process, he sacked many, recovered stolen government vehicles and set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe Amaechi. From the blast of the whistle, he has been on the offensive.
Whether he emerged as governor via rigging, manipulation and connivance with INEC, police, SSS, NSCDC and others is for the election tribunal to decide but no one has discharged their duties as governor, so far, like him. He is indeed keeping to him campaign promises.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I support Wike for going after Amaechi the way he has set out but one must give it to him that he has a clarity of thought and a master plan which he is carrying out on daily basis.
President Muhammadu Buhari on the other hand is still talking tough, vowing to recover billions of dollars stolen by the previous administration and vowing to probe corrupt politicians but he is yet to hit the ground running.
This does not mean he is slow but this has definitely relaxed the momentum and hope that Nigerians once had in his leadership and style.
Like the game of football, Barcelona’s offensive approach does not mean that they will always triumph. It can be Initial Gra Gra (IGG), like Nigerians call it, or it could also translate to a treble of titles at the end of the season.
President Buhari must stamp his foot on the ground and let Nigerians know what direction he is heading. Unlike Wike, he pretty much won his election fair and square but delivering on his campaign promises which was hinged on ‘Corruption’ is somewhat elusive.
While I believe that Buhari can deliver the goods, I also have a right to doubt his ability, if actions do not speak louder than words.
Given his military antecedent, President Buhari might choose to be cautious in his approach and many Nigerians would understand this, but been perceived as slow and without a master plan could be damning.
With his cabinet hanging in the balance, corrupt elements travelling in and out of Nigeria without anyone breathing down their neck, one cannot blame Nigerians for impatience.
The National Assembly’s actions in recent weeks is also a bother. They are still hell-bent on allocating to themselves millions of naira in allowances. If Buhari does not stop them now, he probably might not be able to, in the next four years.
A little aggression like that of Wike blended with his systematic approach would possibly bring a balance that might suit all.
Seun Bisuga
Twitter: @bisuclef