Buhari’s Inaugural Speech: My Opinion
By Kayode Ajulo
Having read and listened to the inaugural speech of General Mohammadu Buhari even with high expectations, one can deduce that Mr President conspicuously refused to dwell on burning issues like unpaid salaries of Nigerian workers who are groaning in pains with no respite on sight.
He equally failed to clarify in simple terms how corruption will be tackled despite directing Army Command to move to Maidiguri to overrun the outlawed religious sect, Boko-Haram, a decision which is quite commendable.
Buhari’s speech was vague, not direct and very disappointing in my view; yes he mentioned that he will tackle rot in the power sector, but he never said how.
Another intrigue that his speech has triggered was the fact that nothing was mentioned by this nascent government on foreign policy or bilateral relations as the case may be, dispute having over 40 foreign leaders as his listening audience.
I thought the focus would have been on strengthening existing law-enforcement capabilities, constitutional crises, improving socio-economic conditions and redeeming (all or few) of the promises made during the electioneering campaigns and giving us the workable models through which these could be achieved, honestly Nigeria is expectant.
Agreed, the President’s speech could not have covered every conceivable issue; however, the commander-in-chief cannot brush these issues aside because all key stakeholders want to hear from him, it is from him that they take their cue respectively.
There cannot be sustainable growth, higher productivity, job creation or economic development in a crime-infested environment, where businesses cannot operate around the clock, or where labour cannot move freely around or get rewarded. The crime situation is symptomatic of a deeper social issue; we need to pay keen attention and do all we can at the highest level to tame and correct the causation.
President Buhari also need to be reminded that election campaigns are over as he still sounded as if he’s still wooing electorates for votes.
In a nutshell the speech utterly lacks direction and therefore a disappointment.
Olukayode Ajulo, Esq. is the National Secretary, Labour Party
