The impending Buhari presidency (2)

As General Muhammadu Buhari formally takes over the reins of power on May 29, another area that we urge him to focus on is the issue of human security. As the appellation suggests, human security goes beyond military hardware. It also involves a situation in which the economy is accorded a measure of the Jeremy Bentham dictum – the greatest good for the greatest number of the populace. In other words, the economy should be used to service the needs and aspirations of our teeming populace.

As things stand, the odds are not looking good in this area. The country has to contend with declining oil prices and a naira that continued to fluctuate after a period of freefall. Our belief, however, is that honesty of purpose will guide the General such that the country will effectively come into its own in the area of human security.

Incidentally, it is a similar hope that we are entertaining in an important area like the oil industry. If the street conditions are anything to go by, the General is already being inundated with various pieces of advice as regards the oil industry. One issue which continues to recur is oil subsidy. A number of voices are already declaiming that the subsidy should be removed, while on the other hand, populist forces like labour and the student-movement are urging the incoming government to refrain from this move. On our own part, we urge total deregulation.

In view of this, the president-elect must ensure that our refineries work. It is hard to understand why Nigeria should be about the only country in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) which relies on imported fuel.

Equally important is the need for us to diversify within the oil industry itself. As it is, we do not have viable petro-chemical industries which ought to be the base of our authentic industrialisation.

In the area of power, we urge caution. This vital sector has been the nemesis of previous regimes all the way from the Obasanjo era. Evidently, a number of things must have been done right, and of course there are also some lapses. We therefore urge the president-elect to do a thorough review of what has been done. This is with a view to ensuring that ample power supply becomes available.

The compelling need for adequate power supply is obvious enough. In the absence of this critical variable, our economy will remain comatose and life for most Nigerians will continue to be hellish.

Another important issue is the plight of pensioners. Till date, the outgoing Jonathan administration did not discharge its responsibility to this vulnerable sector of our society. They were supposed to be paid 57 percent of their monthly entitlements. But only 33 percent was paid. Evidently, during the elections, a lot of the pensioners did not pitch their tent with the Jonathan presidency.

All told, our conviction is that come May 29, if the president-elect gives adequate attention to these issues, Nigeria will be on its way to fulfilment as a stable and wholesome polity. Of course, the converse is that if General  Buhari  fails to live up to expectations, some four years down the road, Nigerians will give voice to their disappointment, as they have just done in the last elections.