On that inane question: ‘If not Buhari, then who?’

BY AMIRU HALILU

The above insensate and laughable question makes erudite elucidation and statement of meaning all important, and it evoked a rigorous debate about those who have been asking the question without compunction. Some described them as the set of people who seem to be comfortable in our squalid, desolate and unsavory condition. While others defined them as a small body of unlearn men – cannon fodder whose horizon is limited; imagination is narrowed; certainly, status quo Maintainance.

As for me, this question of “if not Buhari, then who” does not only provoked by institutional complacency but also loss of intellectual abilities such as abstract thought, foresee and demanding. It marks the apogee of one’s dimwittedness to thinks that out of 198 million people no one has the wherewithal to change the fortune of this country except a tired but refused to retire – a 75 year old man. It’s not tempting to agree that Nigeria has not degenerated and gone that barking bonkers. I am delighted this ill informed opinion was formed by the low aim people.

If effectualness and suitableness in my society have claimed to stand for anything, even in my small village, this preposterous crave shouldn’t have been raised much less in a country universally designated the giant of Africa. Nigeria is endowed with accomplished, effectuals, up to snuff, business savvy and know how. Therefore, this myopic thinking of no one but Buhari is affront to a country that graced the world with a very inventive and ingenious species. To name a few:

Sometimes last year, seven Nigerians were re-elected into the United Kingdom parliament in an election that held on Thursday 8th June, 2017. The following week, five young men of Nigerian descent helped England to won the under 21 World Cup. In 2012, a reputable organization, castle Connolly, named a Nigerian cardiologist base in New York, Dr. Oluyemi Badero among the top interventional cardiologists in the United States.

Also the likes of Yemi Bamington-Ashaye, the head, Global Shapers Community and Director at the World Economic Forum; Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, the current Secretary General of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; Akinwunmi Adeshina, the President of African Development Bank; Arunma Oteh, the current Vice President and the Treasurer of World Bank had done very well at home, and they have been doing extremely well at the international sphere.

President Buhari is not a change manager. Rather, he is a quintessential tagiversate of stasis and unchangingness, and unfortunately, he is now working tooth and nail to stay beyond four years. Nigeria needs 21st century leadership foresight – she needs at her helm a person with ideas and energy who can combat the forces of inertia and inefficiency, and who can initiate and manage urgently needed change. Buhari does not come close to that person! Buhari’s second term is a semantic portent of more stagnation, cluessness and incompetency.

This is the right time to say good buy to this set of superannuated that transformed Nigeria into second-rate country. Young men who are well equipped with modern ideas and programs like Adamu Garba ll, founder/CEO IPI solution Nigeria Limited; Ahmed Buhari, CEO of Skylar Inc; Omoyele Sowore, founder/CEO of Saharareporters; Chris Emejuru, founder and managing director/CEO of Liberty Approach and Allied Consult (LAAC); Flea Durotoye, Motivational Speaker and Leadership Coach are ready to liberate Nigerians from the orgy of corruption, economic retrogression and social decay.

These young men, would no doubt deal with disaster called Nigeria, where brilliance and exceptional qualities are electoral liability; where mediocrity is embraced instead of excellence; clueless instead of cognisance; those who can think outside the box, are seen as comedians. Just like how someone recently described young and courageous Omoyele Sowore. These courageous young men must have to get a shock absorber to absorb all forms of mockery and discoraging statements that will probably emanate from confused, uninformed and pessimistic Nigerians.

If anyone is doubting the ability of these young men, even though you can’t convince and get the vote of an electorate on the stage in this federal republic of jokers – Nigeria, notwithstanding why not organise a rigorous debate and mandate all the presidential aspirants to attend. I think that is where the rightful answer to this stupid question of “if not Buhari then who” will surface.

Amiru Halilu writes from Kaduna. Follow me @AmiruHalilu