I watched yesterday's chat from start to finish except for a few moments when my son transiently distracted me. I actually didn't know my 4 year old knew the name of the president and he pronounced it quite well.
President Buhari was brutally honest and even though he tried to avoid speaking extensively on certain critical subjects, he still made some remarks that reveals his mindset. One of such matters was the Zaria situation. His comment about running a state within a state shows he will not tolerate any group which doesn't recognise the sovereignty of Nigeria. Like I have always advocated, he wants to wait for the outcome of investigations in the matter.
Many individuals somehow fail to understand that the president isn't running a one man show. I don't know why they think his view on economic matters is not based on any input from the managers of the economy. They may not be accurate but one thing I know is that economists outside of the government will most likely not be agreed on the way out of our economic quagmire. Some individuals went ahead to insult the president during the chat and others deliberately misquoted him in order to rubbish whatever he said. That's the beauty of democracy I guess.
I do not claim to be an economist, that is one area I always ask my brother to break down for me into 'economics for idiots' format. One thing is clear, the money regularly looted prior to this administration isn't there anymore; it has become really difficult to send money to the numerous Nigerian students studying overseas and for Nigerian business people to conduct their business even if they only import rubber slippers and plastic. I understand that Nigerians in South Africa experience a lot of difficulties with sending their monies out of South Africa but I do not think South Africans have a problem with that. At times I wonder if there are far more Nigerian students studying abroad than at home to justify the wails about how students abroad will find it difficult to get money at their bases. This isn't being insensitive to the plight of students who will be genuinely affected; perhaps it will all make sense when one figures that Musiliu Obanikoro who I think is a grandfather is now among the contingent of foreign based students.
We thank God for the anchor of the show yesterday, he was the one who kept the chat on track and ensured the two hours spent was maximised to attend to as many issues as possible. That lady to the president's left should be sent for a crash course on how to ask questions, she was the main distraction on the night.
The issue of Chibok and Boko Haram came up; the president could only admit to our fears that those young ladies may never return whole. It would have been wrong if he said otherwise without any concrete intelligence backing. I don't think it's an admission of failure or defeat; I think it's a good dose of reality so that Nigerians can put things in proper perspective. I am particularly more interested in the return of every kidnapped young lady from Boko Haram enclaves including those carted away from their school in Buni Yadi.
My favorite moment from the chat came when I thought things couldn't get anymore interesting. President Buhari answered questions on Biafra agitation and bail. His eyes shot up at that moment and I was glad that the general in him is still alive and well. Nnamdi Kanu is in serious trouble and the president didn't joke when he mentioned treasonable felony, how Kanu passed through airport security and immigration without having any of his passports acknowledged is indicative of high level conspiracy and sabotage.
Nigerians did not vote for a gutless president, it is important that people understand when slightly less ideal methods are employed to detain corrupt and violent elements. Will those advocating for the rule of law to be upheld with respect to the bail requests of those concerned sing the same lyrics if Abubakar Shekau was arrested and granted bail? It's easy to sit outside a government and condemn all their actions pertaining to security and justice; the seat of the president is hot and the situation one is encountered with determines to what extent the law can be flexed.
The American CIA is notorious for doing whatever is necessary to extract information from those in custody. They will waterboard any soul as long as their nation's security is concerned and it doesn't matter how humane and oblivious president Obama comes out to present himself to people; he understands and authorises such interventions even if he may openly condemn them. Obama's 8 years is almost up yet Guatanamo bay remains funded despite his promise promise to shut the place down. He must have seen reasons why such a facility should be kept open based on the current permutations. If my president tells me he will not interfere with the DSS' detention of Dasuki because he could jump bail, should I not trust his judgement as long as Dasuki is not subjected to physical torture? A man who indulged in illegally withdrawing foreign currency at will and inappropriate appropriation under a government that boasted about upholding the rule of law should not be allowed to embark on a trip to London to have his gums checked when I can always be invited to help him with such a check up for just a token fee.
President Buhari asked those wailing about being marginalised to explain exactly how they have been marginalised and who has been marginalising them. I wonder how appointing someone from my hometown as a minister will improve my financial status. He said that no one should be prevented from obtaining the full details of all assets he declared. Those who want such document should take the evidence of that to the appropriate agency to get whatever they want; he's put his integrity on the line for that one.
The chat could easily have gone on for longer and it definitely was not scripted like what we had in the recent past. There were silly questions asked as well as difficult ones. The president did pretty well overall and exhibited the seriousness and decisiveness required to occupy that office.
Dasuki's corruption trial from all indications will be trumped by the rot in the Oil sector and even in the military. I thought I heard him say that the military had over 70 separates accounts before the treasury single account was made mandatory. Those who think president Buhari is senile should be advised to think again. Like my friend tweeted yesterday; PMB answered 95% of the questions but GMB answered the rest. This is indeed good news and a word is enough for the wise.
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