Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome,SAN has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 30 days in office as a monumental disaster and a great disappointment to most Nigerians who had hoped for miracles and ground breaking deeds.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja Ozekhome said that “he had hit the ground sitting, rather than running. He appears very confused, not having a strong grip on power. He appears to live in the 80s, with serious diplomatic gaffes such as calling Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Michelle of West Germany! This, in 2015.
“The Boko Haram insurgency has intensified geometrically, with power supply getting worse. Internally, he appears to have no control over his APC party, which he ought to be leader of, perhaps because they regard Bola Tinubu as the national leader” he added.
He stated that “the party is imploding instalmentally. Impunity in all facets of life has increased. PMB is still running the government solo, in the manner of a military dictator, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution which compels him to have Ministers.
“There is despondency and hopelessness everywhere, with the government exhibiting no real sense of direction, mission or vision. The ship of state appears rudderless and directionless, with his ruling APC party still talking and behaving tough as if it is still in the opposition.
“Corruption, which has became the 37th State of Nigeria and the wealthiest at that, is not climbing down from its imperious monstrous height. Rather, it is waxing stronger and becoming more and more endemic, lavishing the weak fiber of the Nigerian society with reckless abandon and impunity. Corruption now mocks all of us with utmost derision.
He noted that “insecurity is becoming more frightening, with boko haram which had been massively degraded and nearly decapitated before PMB’s oath of office on May 29, waxing stronger and stronger and indeed becoming more daring and defiant.
“Kidnapping cases has since increased on a monumental scale with Judges, Pastors, Rev. Fathers, Monarchs, Women, Children and Men becoming daily victims in the nefarious activities. There is still no major national broadcast to Nigerians as to the direction of PMB’s govt. regarding his policies on education, infrastructural development, national ethos, anti corruption war, or how to grow the economy, and give jobs to the teaming unemployed youths of Nigeria, unemployed of whom he had promised Five Thousand Naira (N5,000.00), monthly stipends before they get employed.
There is no single statement about oil subsidy and emergency oil subsidy merchant, who are bleeding the Nigerian economy and threaten to asphyxiate and vanquish already hapless Nigerians
“The bi-camera National Assembly is in turmoil with no presidential intervention to save Nigeria’s hard earned democracy. Nigeria appears to be wobbly, groggy, fumbling and near prosaic.
“He is busy frittering away the groundswell of goodwill and affection Nigerians bestowed on him on March 28. Ex President GEJ did it and paid dearly for it. Although he was sworn in on May 29, truth is that he became aware he is the elected President of Nigeria since April 4, nearly 100 days ago, when GEJ called to concede defeat and congratulate him. Till now, he has not appointed a Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the clearing house and heart beat of any government, Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, etc. government business has ground to a halt, with no money in circulation.
“Nigeria appears to be in a state of suspended animation, dancing in uncomfortable limbo, like a yoyo.
PMB, sir, don’t allow the usual bootlickers, grovellers and fawners deceive you by telling you that u are doing well. It’s a complete lie. You have so far performed dismally, with no spark to ignite national passion and enthusiasm. No endearing leadership traits have so far been exhibited.
“Be informed that Nigerians are very interesting and impatient people, easy to govern, difficult to satisfy, and impossible to tyranise, intimidate or browbeat. Your missions to G7 and AU in South Africa cannot help us. No slave masters like those western imperialists and neo colonial slave drivers will want freedom for slaves or servants.
He further said “they won’t help you sir, beyond mere tokenism, crumbs from the masters table. Don’t tell Nigerians you are not a miracle worker or magician. They want you to approximate the two at once, a merger of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and Prof. Peller rolled intone.
“I support you. Nigerians support you. But, so far, your performance has been below average. Certainly not what Nigerians are yearning for. Time is not on your side, whether in age or in performance. The clock is ticking away. Very fast. Inexorably. Seize the sliding tide before it is too late, sir.
“Tell your media aids (perhaps your only two duplicated appointees so far), to scrutinize the social media for you and see how the tide is turning frighteningly fast against you. Just within three months of your popular and populist emergence as President of 175 million Nigerians, after four grurlsome attempts, if sweat, pains, pangs and blood” he declared.
-Daily Independent
