TheCable

BY ABDEL RAHMAD MUHAMMED

The beats of campaigns as we approach the 2023 presidential election are in the air. Nigerians are expectedly interested in who becomes the next president. After six years and a half, the jury is out on the performance of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who has been on the job since May 29, 2015. There is a popular sentiment in some quarters that the administration is a failure, but how true would that be? While many point to the harsh economy, with the freefall of the Naira, rising debt, unemployment, general insecurity and the ethnic and religious distrust as evidence that the last six and a half years have been worse for Nigerians, it has not been all bad news.

Granted that President Buhari has his own unique style, including that he is slow to take action and perhaps, on account of this, decision-making has been slow and has affected the response time to issues, yet Nigerians can point to some success in the administration’s infrastructure development effort. Lately, there has been some successes in tackling the dreaded Boko Haram menace, which was a growing monster when the president was elected in 2015. There has also been some successes by the administration in advancing Nigeria’s international clout with the election and appointment of a diverse group of Nigerians such as former Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Dr Akinwumi Adesina as President of Africa Development Bank Group. These and others such as the recent appointment of Dr Chike Ihekweazu as Assistant DG of the World Health Organization may be taken for granted, but they show that the regime has not been an all-out failure. Definitely not. Yet, as we look to the presidential party primaries due in less than a year from now, it is apposite to take a proper study of the government’s performance to project what kind of person we need as president in 2023.

It is without a doubt that the president’s age has been a limitation as Buhari himself feared at the outset of his administration. The problems Nigeria faces today would task any young man, much more an elderly person. There has also been a deficit of capacity among some of the president’s men. Despite his best effort, everyone agrees that Nigeria is not working optimally. The country is threatened by ethnic and religious divisions as the fissures seem to have widened further. It is without a doubt that sectional conflicts are fueled by a feeling of insecurity across many parts of this country. These realities present a challenge that, post-Buhari, we need a leader that will appeal to the broad spectrum of the country to build on the successes of the current administration and correct its missteps.

We are in a state where the man who would be president must have the mental and physical capacity to handle the rigours of leadership at that level, so that decisions are timely and progress can be made speedily. He or she must be knowledgeable and have a good working knowledge of government, because there is no time to learn on the job. Such a candidate should have earned the respect of a diverse range of groups and cultural tendencies across Nigeria as to inspire followership and trust.

While there are a few such persons who may fit the bill, there is none that matches the current Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi. Soft spoken, humble, knowledgeable, practical and soothing in communication, Dr Fayemi’s choice will be like quenching a raging fire with water because of his demeanour not just from a distance but from the testimonials from the broad array of people across Nigeria who have worked and interacted with him.

Dr Fayemi has not declared for the presidency but he appeals as someone who has the right fit for the job. A PhD, he is a second term governor of Ekiti State who comes highly recommended. As Vice President Yemi Osinbajo remarked at the Ekiti State Investment Summit held in Ado Ekiti last week Thursday, October 14, Dr Fayemi is “an experienced CEO of the State, Governor Fayemi, whose academic, civil society background, (and we will leave out the outlaw days of NADECO), excellent relationships with international donors and DFIs, his experience as second term Governor, one-time Minister of Mines and Steel, and as Chair of the Governors’ Forum, whose important experience in extracting benefits for the States from the Federal Government; all these put the State at a distinct advantage.” Beyond that, it shows his diverse training, experience and social connections necessary to navigate the demanding job of president in these troubling times.

It is instructive to look at how Fayemi has impacted the Ekiti State economy. As everyone knows, Ekiti State is a landlocked state whose only known reputation was for farming and education. However, as he crests the end of two terms as Governor, Fayemi has transformed Ekiti into a budding agro-industrial state and ICT hub through innovative policies that provide a glimpse into what he is capable of at the national level. His plan to make Ekiti a knowledge economy is taking shape in incentives for ICT companies to reduce their broadband charges. The state reduced charges from N4500 to N145, spurring new investments in ICT in the state.

What he has done for Ekiti, Fayemi can do for Nigeria. As noted, his excellent leadership skill is what has kept the NGF together despite the tense political and ideological rivalries of the governors in the last few years. It is a skill much in need in Nigeria today, as are his excellent record in public sector management.

Fayemi has shown competence in the management of resources and his messaging is spot on how this country needs to move forward. Speaking in a recent interview, Dr Fayemi said: “Well, leadership is not a title, and leadership is not an office. Leadership for me, is influence, and if you’ve occupied certain positions of authority, it will give you insights into the complexities and challenges of a country. So without a doubt, I like to think I have the requisite qualifications to be the president of Nigeria.” It couldn’t have been better put for a man whose experience, persona and performance cut the picture of a unifying and competent leader, a man Nigeria needs.

Muhammed is an Abuja-based politician and businessman. He can be reached via [email protected]