365 days of Buhari: His five key achievements

 

 As the man in the saddle, Muhammadu Buhari is not the kind of president Nigerians have been familiar with in the last 16 years. Not known for frivolities and quite aware of the enormity of the task of fixing Nigeria, his body language does not suggest rolling out the drums in celebration of his one in office today.

 

  National broadcast

The much that is being expected is a national broadcast which comes up today barring last-minute change of mind. Recall that the president had, while making his remarks at the signing of the 2016 budget into law on May 6, 2016, stated that he would address Nigerians on May 29, 2016. It may not also turn out to be your usual kind of national address. Buhari, known for his candour and bluntness, may make a statement today. Already, he had said he would unveil the names of those who have looted the national treasury on this occasion. May 29 is historic in Nigeria. For democracy sake, the day has occupied a place in the history of Nigeria. It was the date civil rule returned to Nigeria. Buhari was also sworn in as president on that date and so, it is celebration time for as it is now one full year since he assumed office. One year in any political office is crucial. It is significant. It is such a period elected leaders usually swing into action to work. The products of their action are usually physical infrastructures such as roads which compel them to roll out drums to commemorate the day apart from just giving recognition to the day. And Buhari’s predecessors observed that culture of showcasing and basking in the euphoria of their achievements within one year in office.
 

The criticisms

But neither the President nor his political party is celebrating. At least, not officially. His critics even say he doesn’t have to celebrate as there is nothing to show for it. They would rather admit that the times are hard for Nigerians under the administration. They would cite the towering unemployment level, the skyrocketed prices of commodities including rice and tomatoes as evidence. Buhari’s critics would refer to the hike in electricity tariff, the all-time fuel price increment, the unprecedented foreign exchange rates and, indeed, the general hardship in the land as justification for their criticisms. While the hardship rages, some people on other side of the divide are quick to attribute the hard times to the international oil prices that dipped, clearly exonerating the president from blame. The critics would also catalogue the number of foreign trips the president had made since assumption of office and end with the submission that they have not yielded positive result.
 

Buhari’s strides of change

For the staunch supporter of the regime, Buhari has done exceedingly well in the following five key areas: National security, corruption, economy, governance, national image.