Whenever overbearing critics make disparaging remarks about the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, they often like to hammer on the so-called government’s slow nature in delivering electoral promises.
Th ough people have the right to talk, comment and ask questions especially under democratic settings, some however derail into personal attacks on individuals rather than off ering solutions to lingering challenges facing the nation.
What these critics forget is that the country is still grappling to come out of an economic recession and insecurity.
Th ere are however some areas where incontestably, this administration has done remarkably well.
Haughty critics of the current administration should have it at the back of their minds that no government in the world is perfect, even the advanced nations of the world are hovering to come out of the woods.
Instead of casting aspersions, they should rather come up with constructive criticisms that would help government eff ectively carry out its statutory role to the people.
In other words, they could suggest to government on how to go about making the economy better than what it is which would translate to a better living condition for Nigerians.
Harping undue criticisms on individuals or group of people in or outside government would certainly not be of positive consequence to the development of our country.
Some have gone to the extent of alleging that the nation’s aff airs have been hijacked by some individuals.
At the centre of their criticism is mostly Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura whom they believe is the leader of the so-called cabal.
One of such critics recently described Daura as a “sadist” who “didn’t want Buhari to become president” in the fi rst place.
Haba Alhaji: while everyone has the right to freedom of expression,n personal scores or need for relevance at all costs shouldn’t be on the media at least by those perceived to be elders.
Th e likes of Malam Mamman Daura had always been by the side of Muhammad Buhari helping him to serve Nigerians well long before he became president.
A veteran journalist and industrialist, Daura had also been editor of the New Nigerian newspaper, before rising to become the company’s Managing Director.
He also played infl uential roles for the growth and development of the country during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime in 1983.
Some people might not be comfortable with his closeness to the president, but that does not make him responsible for real or perceived challenges facing the country.
Moreover, to say that the presidency is controlled by one person is simply mischievous.
Th at is just an opinion in itself and not an argument that’s based on facts.
Facts, they say are sacred, but opinions are free.
It has now become a norm that every government that comes would be linked to someone or a group of people as having controlling trend of events.
Th is government is therefore no exception.
Daura’s closeness to the president may be subject to interpretation by critics, but to continue to level accusations and personal attacks by the likes of one Lawal Idris in his recent interview is not by any standard progressive and decent.
Some people may not like Daura and may actually be envious of his relationship with the president, but that does not warrant his vilifi cation at every given opportunity in the media.
Th ose who claim closeness and access should take that opportunity to off er useful advice for the good of all Nigerians rather than personal public engagements which would do no good to anybody.
Nigeria is for all of us; we all have a duty to contribute our quota for her growth and development.
Let’s join hands to pull out of the glaring challenges by confronting issues rather than individuals by self-styled critics who only talk in favour of self-aggrandizement.
Ibrahim wrote from Kofar Soro, Katsina
