TheCable

BY SANI MUHAMMAD UZAIRU

It’s barely a year before the next general elections yet Nigeria continues to grapple with mammoth problems in spite of All Progressives Congress (APC) government’s promise of change. To this day, it has been all motion but no movement, as the government appears clueless on how to accomplish this change. And seemingly overwhelmed by the country’s challenges, the government in September 2016 changed gear with the introduction the ‘Change Starts With Me’ slogan and implored Nigerians  to change their old ways and mind-set so as to tackle the gargantuan problems confronting the nation head on. Even yet, this one too has lost steam!

Though it is rational to expect attitudinal change from Nigerians, the APC government must first seek to ensure that ‘balance’ is maintained in governance structures and institutions in order to promote national cohesion and neutralize the perception of an imbalance and thus non-representation by some ethnic nationalities.

To be effective, this change must start from government, then tickle down to the masses. Granted, divesting the populace of the deeply entrenched religious and ethnic sentiments is a necessity so as to facilitate a harmonious working for the common good of everyone. But, renouncing the old ways will not be the proverbial ‘walk in the park.’ And this explains why the president and his cabinet must show example. This way, they can win the confidence and sympathy of all Nigerians.

It is a common knowledge that in any organization that is aspiring for change, there are basically three groups of people, and this perhaps hold some truth for President Buhari’s current cabinet. For instance, there are those who will actively support the President, and do whatever it will take for his government to succeed. This group is referred to by experts as the ‘accepters.’ And they are openly committed to jettisoning their old ways just for the success of their boss.
They are positive and upbeat.

By the same token, there are also ‘sleepers’ in his cabinet. These are those who will neither support nor prevent change. This group are lukewarm and lackadaisical towards the president’s commitment to change from the status quo to the new focus. They maintain their cabinet positions for self-serving motivations, and do very little to rock the boat or vigorously promote the government’s programs. In short these are the survivalists, and what is significant to them is
hanging on to their appointments. They are also the ones who are
most likely to react violently if their jobs are threatened.

The final group, ‘blockers,’ are those who are diametrically opposed to change, and would prefer to maintain the status quo. Blockers are often openly supportive of their bosses, but utilize subterranean means to undercut their
leader’s efforts. They ‘talk the talk’ but refuse to ‘walk the walk.’

Even though the success of the president’s vision and fight against the ingrained culture of corruption, insecurity and unemployment depends on how well he has been able to effectively handle the different interests and varying personality styles of the above groups in his cabinet, it is doubtful if he is completely au fait with this categorization. Familiarizing himself however with the commitment and dedication of his appointees to his change policy will help the president reach an important decision to either retain or discharge some of them in the event of a cabinet reshuffle.

Even important, there should be no exceptions to holding people accountable when the rules are violated. Successful delivery of meaningful change demands that there should be no sacred cows. This is particularly difficult to implement because, more often than not, the guilty parties are either APC stalwarts or close associates of the President.

Change must be effected for the good of the country. Equally difficult but essential in the change process is the minimization of influence peddling by banning relatives from lobbying the president on behalf of long standing friends. Attempts at promoting cronyism, patronage and graft by members of the ‘old boys club’ must be resisted.

President Buhari’s supporters should also not utilize the fight against corruption to employ a savage mind-set for naked revenge against political opponents. This is especially the narrative today where there is an apparent unanimity that only PDP members are prosecuted.

Change and transparency are advanced by encouraging among others, freedom of the press and freedom of speech, protection for whistle blowers, maintaining an effective police force and, an independent judiciary.

The linchpin to a successful actualization of all of the above is possessing the requisite political will power to act unfailingly against advocates of the old order. Whilst it is a necessity for our president to be virtuous, it is critical
that he should never aspire to be loved by everyone.

As it is with all leadership positions, it is
difficult to please everyone. President Buhari should therefore deal decisively and without any equivocation or reservation towards all obstructionists of change and advocates of maintaining the status quo.

Those who are close to the president and know him best, like Femi Adesina, indicate that he is a first rate gentleman, with a pleasant deamenor, who is easy to deal with and quick to make friends
and defend old ones.

This notwithstanding, he should heed the words of Niccolo Machiavelli who advanced in his book, The Prince, that rulers have to learn how not to be good in order to be successful and respected; and that they would have to “enter into evil” for the greater good. Machiavelli warned that leaders who do not would invariably create “more evil by failing to act”.

Uzairu is a political commentator and  can be reached via [email protected] and on twitter: @enigmatic_sani