By Zailani Bappa
I was privileged to witness the period when Late General Murtala Mohammed took over leadership from General Yakubu Gowon. Although I was very young to really understand much of it as I was still in step three of my Primary School education. But I could remember the jubilation that greeted the overthrow.
A few weeks into the administration of Murtala, Nigerians began to groan under the stringent and iron-fist rule of the then-young General. I could remember listening to a group of elders who lamented the inexperience and rash decisions of the General especially what they called the balkanization of the public service. However, General Murtala instilled discipline in the civil service, created more states and the FCT and pursued a fearless foreign policy. In spite, the rather lacklustre Gowon administration began to be missed.
Although the Obasanjo administration was commended for its ability to return power to Civilians, it was still accused of non-investment in critical sectors of the economy. Nigerians only missed that administration when four years into democratic rule led by Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (although there was economic growth) the country did not witness economic development but increased corruption and inflation and oil glut leading to austerity measures.
Hence, the Shagari administration was abused and denigrated silly until it fell in an early morning coup d’e tat which brought back the Military. It was another galore of celebration by Nigerians. But as usual, after a few weeks into that administration, people wished they were still under the Shagari’s “corrupt” leadership due to tight and difficult living conditions and molestation by the Military in the name of War Against Indiscipline (WAI).
Again, the predictable Nigerian populace was enveloped by jubilation congratulating themselves when, twenty months after the coup, there was a mutiny, a palace coup from within. Buhari was no longer there. Babangida came in with a basket full of promises and he “released” Nigerians from the “tight” living condition they were subjected to by the Buhari/Idiagbon Military iron fists. It, too, was not to last.
Led by the media who earlier jubilated the repeal of decree number 4 which was perceived as a gag against the Press, the IBB administration was hated for many of its other actions and practices. It was accused of selling out the economy by taking IMF/World Bank loans through the back door and introducing Structural Adjustment Programme which encouraged terrible inflation and pauperised many business interests and folded up many industries and viable companies in the country. This is in spite of its many positive developmental policies such as the introduction of the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE), Directorate of Food Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), The Peoples Bank, among others. It was accused of nepotism and corruption as well. It was also accused of a dishonest and manipulative transition to civil rule under government-established Political Parties which finally culminated in the ignoble “step aside” by Presiden IBB.
Next is the Abacha Administration. The economic interest and industrial drive of that administration as well as its success to maintain a healthy foreign reserve should have been a commendable service and could be its strength, but the circumstances of its coming (as an illegitimate replacement to an elected leadership of Chief MKO Abiola) clouded all its genuine efforts at saving Nigeria. This was also coupled with the fact that the economic policies of that administration were the harshest as Nigerians yet witnessed the hardest time in terms of living conditions. It also faced a similar accusation of a dishonest transition to Civil rule under government-controlled Political Parties who sought to impose General Abacha with a none alternative candidate for the Presidential elections expected to usher in a democratic rule.
Yes, the Obasanjo’s second coming in Agbada could have been a blessing to Nigerians and his welcome was near total. He started a civilian administration to the admiration of all including the Western World who played a major role in resolving the previous political quagmire in the country. The West further helped the administration by forgiving our foreign debts. However, before long, Nigerians began to cry of a monster in him as his administration was accused of everything corrupt. From silencing opposition, to unexplained high profile assassinations, to official corruption, especially the alleged squandering of gargantuan power sector loans running in trillions of naira to manipulating internal democracy where the ruling Party had at least five Chairmen within a tenure.
It was a sight of relief when Obasanjo left the scene in spite of the fact that he was seen to have installed his chosen successors. Late Umaru Musa Yar Adua was welcomed as usual by Nigerians. He started well as he was seen to turn his back on his assumed benefactors. He portrayed an honest stance and showed unparalleled sympathy for ordinary Nigerians. In a jiffy, however, confidence in his Administration was getting lost as well. I remember that even in his home state, Katsina, there were wheelbarrow pushers who sold vegetable salad which they popularly called the “7-point Agenda” in mockery of his administration’s roadmap to socio-economic and political change. So, when he fell sick, many Nigerians wished him dead. He died eventually.
Nigerians begin to miss Yar adua administration and openly commended it when insecurity began to take center stage under his successor and former Vice. I could remember how it was like the World would collapse if Yar Adua was not impeached for being sick, or Goodluck Jonathan was not made the Acting President. Some people celebrated the death of Yaradua and never mourned his death. They are now celebrating him in spite of an incumbent regime.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was later, however, to be the most denigrated and ridiculed President of Nigeria. Although his administration saw the worst rise in insecurity in the country, especially in the North East, he made efforts to create a better environment which unfortunately was not succeeding. Corruption and squandermania were on the increase as critical infrastructural projects remained stagnant which combined to ensure his record defeat as the only President who could not secure a second term in Office.
The coalition of politicians who eased Jonathan out installed the Present administration of Muhammadu Buhari. It started very well with policies that are meant to change the face of Nigeria. The rail projects and the food security policy as well as the Treasury Single Account were a revolutionary step. However, since his unfortunate hospitalisation in London, things began to fall apart. Insecurity, especially in the North West, began to rise in an alarming stage. The North East problem of Boko Haram which he initially doused, began to rise again. Other sundry security issues such as the IPOB challenge and the farmer/herder clashes also took centre stage. These challenges greatly pitched his administration against the people. Then, Nigerians are now saying they missed the administration of Goodluck Jonathan!
No doubt, Nigerian tend to see only the bad side of any administration and none of its good side while it lasts. Then we later remember only the good of a past administration and not its bad side when it is gone under the groan of an incumbent. Worst of all, we love to bring out the problems, dress them anyhow in the media, and even create false ones but shy away from taking the initiative to genuinely and constructively concentrate on finding acceptable solutions.
While I wish the incoming administration of Siwaju Nola Ahmed Tinubu, I pray that Nigerians will have a change of attitude from now on and start to appreciate what God has given them at any particular point in time. No administration in the world is perfect, even in those Countries where the institutions work very well. We need to start supporting who we vote into office for once, perhaps, we may see a light at the end of the tunnel. This change must start from the attitude of our own media industry, the majority of which finds nothing good in our country at all times.
