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AN OPEN LETTER TO BUHARI ON HIS ELECTION AS NIGERIA’S NEXT PRESIDENT- TONY USIDAMEN

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Dear
President-in-Waiting,
Congratulations
on your victory at the polls. I didn’t vote for you. As a matter of fact, I
campaigned vigorously against your emergence as President, and really hoped
that your bid would fail yet again.
My reasons are
not far-fetched: First, I thought that since you subverted the wish of
Nigerians when you took over power from a democratically elected government in
a coup d’état back in 1983, you didn’t deserve to be President under the same
system of governance you loathed.
Secondly, with
the gross violation of human rights that took place under your watch, and the
sense of injustice against certain persons, groups or regions, I thought that
you hadn’t shown genuine remorse for your actions, and cared nothing about
healing past wounds, which remain in our national psyche.

Thirdly, and
most importantly, as a creative person, I just could not imagine anyone who
could deny the people – particularly the press – their freedom of expression as
my President. Even if I excused the first two points, with this one you stood
absolutely no chance, had the elections been up to me.
But it wasn’t!
It was up to the good people of Nigeria, and the majority chose you (I totally
respect their wishes). As a Christian too, I believe that power comes only from
God, and he has been gracious enough to choose you to lead Nigerians, in spite
of your shortcomings. Who are my to challenge God?
Rather, I
challenge you to see your victory as a divine opportunity in the service of the
Nigerian people!
I am sure you
have observed, from the voting patterns across the federation, that Nigeria is
still very much divided along geographical, ethnic and religious lines. You
couldn’t be oblivious of the resentment towards your candidacy in certain
regions too? Remember that you are President of ALL Nigerians, and you must do
your best to unite our people.
While I
commend you for openly accepting responsibility for everything that happened
during your time as military ruler, I urge you to make conscious efforts to
mend fences, and extend a sincere hand of fellowship to all aggrieved parties.
It may take some time for the scars of yesteryears to fade away…but it would be
a significant gesture in the healing process of our country.
Without a
doubt, there are enormous challenges before us as a nation. But, of course, you
– of all people – know that!  The onus is
now on you, Mr. President, to chart a course forward for Nigeria, steering her
to greatness in every facet of our national life. You need to hit the ground
running by engaging the best minds (and hands) on this all-important journey,
no matter their tribe, religion or political affiliation.
The
administration of your predecessor, President Goodluck Jonathan, was far from
perfect…but there were significant gains! You must build on the remarkable
achievements in the agricultural sector which has set Nigeria on the path to
becoming a global food powerhouse, the on-going revitalization of the, hitherto,
dead rail transport system (with many positive implications for the
agricultural and manufacturing sectors viz more efficient and reduced cost of
transportation of food items and finished products), as well as the laudable
power and electoral reforms initiated by the out-going government.
I would not
end this letter without acknowledging the huge role that men like Senator Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and Governor Rotimi
Amaechi of Rivers State played in your successful presidential bid. My personal
sentiments about them apart, the fact is that they have given Nigerians a
formidable opposition platform, strengthening our democratic process. But keep
in mind that your responsibility and loyalty is not to these men (or any
party); it is to the Nigerian people whose mandate handed power to you, and you
must put the country before any other consideration.
As for me,
just like I have for every government before you, I pledge my support for your
administration, and promise to do my bit as a responsible Nigerian citizen for
the good of our great nation. I encourage all Nigerians to do the same!
Long live the Federal
Republic of Nigeria!
Yours in the
service of our Fatherland,
TONY USIDAMEN
Tony Usidamen,
a public relations consultant & social commentator writes from Lagos
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