Presidential monologue – Part 37

Hello Mr President. I address this morning’s miscellaneous matters. First, is the recent battle triumph by our gallant armed forces under the leadership of General Christopher Musa in neutralising Halilu Sububu, an element in the terrorist leadership in the Northwest and a couple of others in the Middle Belt. An elated defence chief gifted one million naira to the gallant soldiers.

In rewarding the gallant soldiers, one million naira gift is not commensurate with their act of bravery. It is a killjoy. Reportedly, there has been a ninety-five million naira bounty placed on the heads of the 19 purported leaders of the terrorists, that is, five million naira apiece since November 2022. That wager must be honoured.

I acknowledge here the exhortation of Retired Lt. Col. Abubakar Kangiwa Umar who has implored the soldiers to seize the momentum and root out the terrorists. I also acknowledge the words of Theophilus Danjuma, the respected former Chief of Army Staff who has also exhorted the troops to win the peace. In his words, “The number one problem today is security. We must end the violence and stop the killings happening in the country as soon as possible. Those of you who are serving have no excuse. None.”

Mr. President, on your part, you must reward the fighting soldiers and boost their morale through state-of-the-art weaponry to confront the armed irritants who are armed with sophisticated weapons as special forces would. I am happy though you have pledged to do so. Please walk the talk.

To defeat the insurgents, bandits and terrorists, as you may wish to call them, calls for a high sense of nationalism and embedded patriotism. Fifth columnists must be identified and purged. Similarly, profiteers through dubious arm purchase who wish that the crisis continues to be dealt with. My president, it might interest you to know that the Nigerien authorities have hinted on the point that Turji Bello, one of the terrorists is being shielded by Nigerian accomplices. Let’s stop living a lie. May God help our fatherland.

The second matter is the Dangote Refinery. The refinery palaver appears to have no end. I had earlier advised the need to support our national bourgeoisie, those who are staking their capital by investing in our country with all its multiple effects: unleashing job opportunities, freeing up the national current account from foreign exchange depletion to the rebound of the local currency and enhancing national independence from the metropolitan bourgeoisie. Therefore, it is troubling to notice the back-and-forth altercation between the NNPCL and the Dangote refinery over the price band for its refined product, especially refined premium motor spirit (PMS).

More troubling is the intervention of the Federal Executive Council to determine price for products from Dangote refinery. Quite intriguing. The NNPCL that had alleged monopoly on the part of Dangote refinery is acting against known anti-trust practices to be sole the off-taker of the products. It is in the interest of the country that Nigerians benefit from the product of domestic investment. A balance between capital realisation and public interest is imperative.

The third issue here is the state of Benin- Auchi-Okene road. It is perhaps a metaphor for federal roads across the country. The state of the federal roads is heart-rending. My personal encounter traveling on Benin- Auchi-Okene road last week was sorrowful. Almost all the sections of the road are impassable. Vehicles were stuck in mud and others made impossible detours into wooded areas of the road in search of egress, and the passengers agonised. Mr President, I am forced to ask again and again, what is the problem with the Nigerian elite? Why are they acting against enlightened self-interest as well as national interest by not fixing the roads?

As we got stuck between Obagie and Okemuen sections of the road, my prayer was that other commuters and I should not be caught in the ensuing nightfall. Praise to God, by dint of luck we got out of the bad sections before nightfall. But not all commuters were lucky.

By the reality on the ground, some would have slept there, and their sufferings could best be imagined. Mr President, please summon your minister of works to fix this important trunk A road. In general terms, pay attention to road infrastructure across the country.

Lastly, Mr President, Nigeria will next month mark its 64th independence anniversary. Given the national condition underlined by hunger and general immiseration, is time for a reset, not for merry.

Re-energise your cabinet and indeed renew the hopes of Nigerians who are tired and disillusioned about the “dividend of Democracy.” God bless you as you reflect on this advisory.
Prof Akhaine is of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University.  He can be reached at [email protected]