There have been persistent calls from various angles for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign due to the deteriorating insecurity in the country. The first group to ask for Buhari’s resignation is Northern Elders Forum (NEF), followed by other social cultural groups.
Buhari is serving his second and final term in office after winning the 2019 election. In 2015 when Buhari and his party (APC) were looking for votes, their campaign promises were premised on securing the country, fighting corruption and fixing the economy. The enthusiasm and expectations that greeted his first coming among Nigerians were high. Although, it took him six months to constitute his cabinet, Nigerians had confidence that Buhari administration would be the best thing to happen to Nigeria’s democracy.
To the satisfaction of Nigerians, the war against Boko Haram insurgents improved significantly. The bombing of places of worships, markets and motor parks were contained and drastically reduced. The people of North-east who were held hostage by the dreaded Boko Haram heaved a sigh of relief, as the group who frequently attacked and killed defenceless people were pushed back and their negative operation limited to the soft target. Our battered economy appreciated before it was hit by the third quarter of 2016 recession.
Notwithstanding, the government, through its social investment programmes like N-power, Trader-moni, school feeding, etc, stimulated economic growth and development. The war against corruption took an impressive turn with many corrupt people arrested and their illegally acquired assets recovered or seized. At least, Buhari’s first tenure deserves a pat on the back for delivering its campaign promises.
Buhari’s second coming looks different from his first tenure. The president who enjoys unalloyed and popular support seemed to have lost it. His popularity has continued to wane and decline on daily basis.
Many Nigerians who thought he would be the Messiah have given up. His die-hard supporters have started expressing anger and frustration with the way and manner he is piloting the affairs of the country. This cannot be unconnected with the rising cases of insecurity, poverty and hunger in the country with government looking helpless. The North which gave Buhari the highest votes in 2015 and 2023 elections is bleeding. Bandits and kidnappers have overrun the region.
The recent massacre of over 43 rice farmers in Borno state has proven that, the war against Boko Haram insurgents is not yet over. What Nigerians keep hearing from Mr President is he has given directives to service chiefs to arrest the situation. While Buhari has absolute confidence in his service chiefs to tackle the country’s security challenges, many Nigerians have passed vote of no confidence on them due to the escalation of attacks under their watch.
The service chiefs are believed to have performed below expectations. They have overstayed and run out of ideas to provide security to Nigerians.
Unfortunately, the buck always stops on his desk. No wonder, many security experts advised Mr President to sack them and appoint new ones. These calls have fallen in deaf ears. As to whether President Buhari should resign or not amidst insecurity, the answer is at his discretion.
Constitutionally, Buhari was elected in 2019 to serve for another four-year tenure. Unless and until he proves incapacitated as a result of terminal illness can he be forced to resign. If he also commits an impeachable offence, the National Assembly can impeach him. However, Buhari is neither terminally ill nor committed impeachable offences to warrant his impeachment or resignation.
He is being accused of gross incompetence or showing lackluster attitude while the country bleeds. Instead of calling for his head, which I doubt will solve the country’s problems, Mr President’s appointees should save his neck. Let them tell him Nigerians are suffering with insecurity spreading like bush fire.
Ibrahim Mustapha,
Pambegua, Kaduna state
08169056963.