Th e medical leave of President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom has continued to elicit reactions from within and outside the country, since May when he travelled. While several eff orts have been made by the Federal Government to justify his absence, many critics are of the opinion that the inability of the President to personally direct the aff airs of the nation has been a great problem and setback for Nigeria. At the forefront of recent agitations are the former Director, Social Media of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Deji Adeyanju’s ‘Concerned Nigerians’ as well as the ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ movement that is led by popular musician, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), who are clamouring for ‘resume or resign’. Th e ‘resume or resign’ protesters have vehemently accused President Buhari of holding the nation to ransom through his continued absence. Th e protests, which is over one week now, has led to confrontation with law enforcement agents while some persons have allegedly been injured in the process, as policemen were alleged to have fi red tear gas canisters at protesters participating in the sit-out protest. As this was going on, another pro-Buhari rivalry groups have emerged such as the ‘Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative’, to justify the continued stay of the President. Under any democratic setting such as ours, the law allows for freedom of association, assembly and expression. Th erefore, the action of the agitators is legal within the framework of fundamental rights. Not only that, the President, as a public fi gure should be willing to disclose basic information that the citizenry may require from time-to-time and doing otherwise might infuriate the people. On the other hand, the continued absence of the President from the country does not amount to violation of any legislation. For the umpteenth time, it is pertinent to remind the protesters that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) had already provided for such a development under Section 145, through which power devolves to the Vice President as the Acting President. To be candid and in the real sense of it, has the absence of the President really slowed down governance in the country, as claimed by the protesters? I don’t think so. Relevant performance indicators seem to suggest that since assumption in offi ce of the Acting President, the Professor of Law appears to have done very well without giving Nigerians any tangible reasons – unlike what the agitators are claiming – any cause for concern in steering the aff airs of the nation. Some of the major assignments successfully embarked upon by the Acting President include the appointment of 21 federal permanent secretaries, inauguration of two cabinet ministers: Professor Stephen Ocheni from Kogi State and Alhaji Suleiman Hassan from Gombe State. Not only that, he has ensured the crashing of the US$ against the Naira, a major economic set-back for the economy in recent times; and the appointment of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, among others. With these litanies of activities, few commentators have wondered whether Nigeria was better off under Buhari or Osinbajo.
Rather than prolonging unnecessary protests against President Buhari, to either ‘resume or resign’, the following advice may be useful to all the stakeholders on the issue. First, the managers of Mr. President’s information should ensure that Nigerians are briefed on a regular basis on his true health conditions; bearing in mind that no human being is insulated from falling sick. Th ey should avoid making utterances that suggest that the President is a private person, who should not be asked questions. Rather, by virtue of his election as President, he has assumed the status of a public person and has ceased to be referred to as a private person.
Th ey should not be seen and perceived as taking the people for a ride. Secondly, the tension being created as a result of the demands by the agitators is unnecessary and should not be allowed to degenerate, though there are many willing and multitude of unemployed and restive youths in the country that could be kept busy with such an exercise. It is for this reason that some people are of the opinion that the renewed call may actually be stage-managed and laced with political undertone, to discredit the Federal Government and by extension. Well, if this position is true, it should be expected and is not strange in politics. It is only a matter of time for Nigerians to know the real motive behind the campaigns but the government should not fail to accord the agitators their due respect, liberty and honour while the protest lasts. While wishing the President a safe return back to the country as soon as possible, openness and timely disclosure of information should not be taken for granted at this crucial time, to avoid a situation whereby the agitations would be allowed any further. Th is task of laying the cards before the public should be pursued with vigour such that the basis for the ‘resume or resign’ campaign would no longer exist and fi zzle out.
