Can President Buhari Still Command Wisely?

It is over 100 days since our President laid prostrate due to illness in London has been away for his post.  Whilst the constitution presents a lacuna in the duration of absence authorised, in such circumstance.  However, it is the secrecy and lack of transparency about and of his illness that has made Nigeria a stock of laughter.  There is also some misunderstanding in the way many have gone further to conflate the treatment of the President as a human being subject to frailties to his constitutional office as Commander-in-Chief. 

There is no doubt that his absence has created a market place for mischief with many of his kitchen staff referred to as ‘Cabal’ in consunming indulgence.  Whilst the Vice-President has assumed the role as Acting President on the basis of the constitution it is not clear that many of Aso Rock main players understand this implication. For instance the penchant of Garba Sheu churning out press releases in the name of the President whilst we have an Acting President is part of the mischief at play.

Our understanding of transparency should not be at the expense of a retinue of government flunkies, functionaries and VIPs troddling off to London for photo opportunities as Abuja House. Whilst the optics may satisfy ’Femi Adesina and Garba Sheu, it offers nothing in terms of clarity and transparency. Nor is it faithful husbandry of our scare resources in times of recession when so many workers remain unpaid their basic salaries.

Why must Nigeria diverge from other democracies in managing the ill health of his leader?  What is the taboo in establishing was he suffers from since we the Nigerian People already bear the brunt of his expenses? 

When we voted in this President we felt he would be different, we felt that he would command wisely, advise prudently, protect with vigilance, judge with care, above all defend with all his heart, all his soul and all his courage the Nigerian people.  Of course illness for now has prevented all these and surely it must be time for him to reconsider his position in the light of proper medical advice even as he returns to Nigeria today.