Every leader is bound to leave some legacy whether good or bad. Unfortunately, they are neither punished nor rewarded for such legacy.
Some of our leaders left enduring legacies behind.
Tafawa Balewa left us the unity schools; the FGCs in Sokoto (my former alma mater), Warri and Okposi (later transferred to Abakaliki). These schools were later extended by Gowon to every state of the federation (as new states were being created) and added girls’ schools in each state. This was and still remains a key unifying factor in the social development of the nation – an excellent legacy.
Gowon also left us the NYSC; another great unifying factor, which this year, is incidentally celebrating its 50th year anniversary – another excellent legacy.
IBB left us SAP which overnight pauperised 99% of Nigerians and we are still paying for it – a horrible legacy but he also turned Abuja (Murtala’s dream) into a reality – another excellent legacy.
Buhari has raised the level of IMPUNITY to unprecedented height that has turned virtually everybody into a potential thief. He does not believe in punishing anyone and actually pardons convicted felons like Joshua Dariye and Rev. Jolly Nyame after they were painstakingly convicted for stealing their states dry.
Abdullahi Adamu was to be taken to court for allegedly embezzling his state coffers as former governor of his state and that ironically qualified him in the eyes of Buhari as candidate for chairman of his ruling party.
That is why I tag Buhari the high priest of impunity. We also remember him for inflicting unnecessary pain in the currency saga, again, this time to stop Tinubu from becoming Nigeria’s next president – a futile attempt and another horrible legacy.
OBJ left us the functioning (though erratically) telecoms companies that have changed the way we live in this country. Can we imagine life without the handset? Another excellent legacy.
As for Buhari, he has left nothing but gloom and grief.
Sabo Sodangi wrote via [email protected]
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