Buhari and the quest for forgiveness

To mark the end of Ramadan, the outgoing President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, made a commendable gesture by asking for forgiveness from those he may have offended during his tenure. However, this move has generated backlash from some Nigerians, who criticise his policies and advisors. 

It is common knowledge that President Buhari means well for Nigerians, but many citizens attribute the negative impact of some of his policies to his advisors. As the Hausa proverb goes, “There is no wicked king except a wicked vizier,” which aptly describes the situation. 

Despite this, Nigerians tend to overlook the positive impact of Mr President’s achievements, especially those that do not directly affect them. We are a people who only acknowledge developments that touch our immediate lives, while disregarding those that have long-term benefits. Therefore, it is not surprising that only beneficiaries of policies like N-power and farming loans are among the ardent supporters of the administration. 

However, it is important to note that not all policies of the president are wholesome and beautiful. Some of his ill-informed policies have had negative impacts on the economy, as seen in the recent redesign of the naira, which has affected economic activities, especially in remote areas. 

In the eight years of his tenure, the positive impact of his policies ought to outweigh the negative impact, and the good policies should outnumber the ill-informed ones. Nigerians should strive to look beyond their immediate benefits and focus on the long-term benefits of government policies. 

In conclusion, President Buhari’s call for forgiveness is a commendable move, but it is not enough to placate Nigerians who are dissatisfied with his policies. The president must take responsibility for his actions and ensure to point his areas of errors to his successors, so that they can avoid it, and repair some of his errors.

Alameen Ahmad Imam sent this via [email protected]