Will Buhari ever face the truth about his govt?

By Dele Sobowale

“But, the fact in our favour is that nothing was done under the veil of secrecy. We were as transparent and accountable as possible, being aware of the fact that posterity was the ultimate judge” – Ex-President Buhari at the launching of the books chronicling the purported achievements of his administration.

I have not read the books; and for two reasons. One, I was not aware they were coming out until the news reports about the launching. Two, I have my own project requiring a lot of money. Reading a book predictably self-serving about the Buhari government is not top on my list of priorities. However, if anybody is willing to donate a set, then I promise, on my word of honour, to read the entire thing – line by line. After that, I will write a rejoinder – for the sake of posterity.

Meanwhile, I want Buhari and Femi Adesina to remember that journalism – editorials, news reports, commentaries, features, cartoons etc – represent the first rough draft of history. Those of us alive will provide future generations with most of the raw materials which will enable them to judge the present better. That record, on which generations to come will base their assessment, cannot be left to the actors themselves. The dishonesty involved in that approach to history is akin to students seeking to mark their own examination papers. Obviously, nobody would fail any examination. Buhari, Adesina and co-writers of “faction” (a mixture of fiction and fact) are wasting their time – if they assume we are going to fall for an old trick of propagandists.

Even without seeing any of the books, it is easy to know what to expect; after reading the statement credited to Buhari. I am reminded that most heroes, being human, eventually disappoint many of their former followers. Buhari was my hero until he won the election in 2015 and embarked on the most lopsided selection of Federal Government officers till then. The fact that President Tinubu is matching him step-for-step, partially (but not fully) explains why we now read daily about upsurge of banditry, kidnapping and corruption in high places.

Nepotism also explains why cash scarcity persists, exchange rate remains in the range of N1300/US$ and inflation in tending towards 30 per cent. Buhari failed to understand that the team selection of a President largely determines the results – very much like the coach of a football team. He loaded his team with low quality people; and spent eight years blaming his predecessor. When that failed they collectively resorted to lying. The statement above is classic Buharism – government based on avoiding the truth and insisting that the Nigerian people are to blame for not seeing his good legacies. Four examples – out of thousands – will be sufficient to expose the lies in that short sentence he uttered.

WAYS AND MEANS LOANS

“We won’t allow CBN to print money, says Budget Minister” – VANGUARD, January 19, 2023
In an unveiled reference to Buhari government’s lack of transparency and accountability, the Minister of Budget, Atiku Bagudu, announced as follows: “The Central Bank is not going to be printing money for the government anymore.” Then he said: “The law allows that we can borrow but not more than 5% of the previous year’s revenue. What we have been doing wrong is to go beyond that 5% limit.” It was extremely noble of Bagudu to accept responsibility on behalf of the Tinubu government for what was essentially the greatest illegal and unconstitutional abuse of the Ways and Means, W&M, provisions designed to bail governments out of unexpected financial predicaments. It was mandatory that every request for W&M by government should be made known to the National Assembly, NASS – in order to ensure that the 5% limit is not exceeded. Buhari, in eight years, and without recourse to the NASS, accumulated about N30.5 trillion before leaving office. Out of this, N22.7 trillion was only disclosed in his last month in office; additional N7.8 trillion was later discovered.

Yet, the former President shamelessly stood before a gathering of distinguished Nigerians and the media to give his government credit for transparency and accountability. What was transparent about hidden loans taken without NASS approval – especially, when they constituted gross violation of the Constitution; bordering on economic sabotage? Furthermore, where are the reports detailing the accounts of how the N30-plus loans taken under cover of darkness were utilised for the peoples’ benefit? Boxing legend, Mohammed Ali, was credited with saying “the bigger they come, the harder they fall”. That statement aptly describes Buhari; once regarded as the man to clean up corruption in the public service. He has disappointed woefully. He ran a government strongly wedded to falsehood and he was the most vocal person in the group.

MALAMI’S $200M PAYMENT TO WHISTLEBLOWERS

“Crude oil exports: Malami allegedly paid $200m as whistleblower fees – Reps” – Report, APRIL 20, 2023.
From this report, one comes away with the impression that Mr Malami was given a free and illegal hand to dip into the Federation Account without restraint. In this case, the transaction was approved by Buhari, who failed to take three steps. One, to ask if the AGF was empowered by the Constitution to get involved in such payments; two, to ask if the Auditor General’s office had vetted the request; and three, to ask if NASS approval was needed. Buhari signed; the Central Bank paid and until now few people knew the basis for the claim; and who were the owners of the companies paid.

SCHOOL FEEDING DURING COVID

“EFCC uncovers N37bn fraud in humanitarian ministry, indicts Buhari’s minister, contractor” – Report, December 24, 2023
Just as millions of Nigerians were facing a very bleak Christmas, they were jolted by the revelation that one of the remote causes of their poverty was the alleged unbridled corruption perpetrated by Buhari’s appointees at various levels. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was apparently headed by someone totally inhumane. According to the EFCC, under the cover of darkness, N37bn allegedly developed wings. Funds allocated to feed school children were allegedly siphoned to other ends while the kids were safely tucked under their parents at home.

The interesting thing about this particular example of alleged fraud was the fact that the Ministry reported to the Presidency that it actually fed the kids despite COVID-19 lockdown; Buhari believed it and was proud to claim credit for that feat by his administration. Obviously, there are two options on this: either Buhari failed to read the report, implying mental laziness; or, he read and believed the lies. One thing, however, is clear. There was nothing transparent or accountable about how money meant for feeding children vanished.

NEPOTISM, TRIBALISM AND RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY INSTITUTIONALISED

“Adesina’s book: Your 8-year rule was biased, unjust, nepotistic”, Clark tells Buhari” – VANGUARD, January, 19, 2023.
Here is a portion of what our patriotic leader, Chief Edwin Clark, had to say about the tissue of lies published and presented to the world; as well as Buhari’s statement at the event. Papa Clark will talk first on this issue before I add my own. If the Buhari gang hope they alone will write the history of eight disgraceful years, then I have news for them. We will write our own; it will be shorter but more truthful. Falsehood will not be allowed to overcome truths – supported by evidence e.g Buhari’s appointees now exposed for unprecedented corruption.

Here is what Chief said: “To most of us Nigerians, Buhari failed abysmally…His administration was full of insecurity, economic collapse, injustice, religious bigotry…For instance, he appointed 14 of 17 security chiefs from one section of the country. So, the declaration that he was for everybody was a sham…”

Buhari’s bigotry and ethnic biases were not limited to appointments of heads of security forces. In a nation where there are over 250,000 distinct names, almost fifteen per cent of Buhari’s appointees were named Mohammed, Abubakars, Ibrahims, Ahmed, Idris and Umar. And over 67 percent of top appointments went to Muslims in a nation almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians. People like Femi Adesina were just token Christians in residence.