What Nigerians think about infighting in Buhari’s govt

The various disputes and in-fights between appointees of President Buhari has become one too many for comfort. Some Nigerians shared their views with Daily Trust Saturday on the issue.

Leluyii Hope Toesae, 27, Scientist, Port Harcourt

In my perspective, Buhari’s fight against corruption is the reason for the clash in his administration. I must succinctly say that Buhari must open his eyes to see that, the fight within his government, is caused by personal interest rather than the interests of the masses. These in-fightings cannot forestall political progress, but economically and socially speaking would breed chaos, anarchy, stagnation, and distrust in our dear country.

Abdul Ahmed Burra, Lecturer

I think the unending clashes between cabinet members and Buhari’s appointees are caused by the highhandedness of some officials in discharging their duties. Many appointees are greedy and selfish. Rivalry for wealth accumulation, contracts, and influence among government officials is now the order of the day. There is no synergy among them even though they belong to the same party or serving the same government or person. I think the President should be up and doing by checking the excesses of his appointees as well a detailed outline of punishments and sanctions of all erring appointees and government officials. There shouldn’t be a sacred cow.

Haruna Mohammed Salisu, Publisher

The standoffs show a very disorganized, disjointed, and disunited government. The power play and the infighting is nothing but scrambling to share the national cake, and in the process, they wash their dirty linen in public.

Bulak Afsa, Journalist

The face-off is not a good omen for the government and the public because they should be able to resolve their differences amicably. Disagreements are inevitable, we know the tongue and mouth fight but the public feud is not good for the government. It is better they resolve between them because even in the media sometimes we don’t get to hear the truth about the issues.

Mohammed Halilu, 42, Software Engineer, Katsina

I think the frequent in-fights between Buhari’s appointees is affecting the performance of the government to a great extent, which is not good for the wellbeing of Nigerians. With what is unfolding, some people around the government are doing everything to sabotage the government and distract its efforts. And this is very sad.

Abdurahman Abdullahi, CSO, Dutsinma

It clearly shows that the centre is weak. It portrays the weakness of the Buhari’s administration in coordination and teamwork. If the centre is weak, everybody behaves the way they like. There would be a clash of interests. The President needs to wake up and put his team in order.

Abdulrashid Danlami, Businessman, Funtua

This is a setback for the regime. It makes citizens lose confidence in the government. The people will use it as a mirror to judge the system and the problems from the infighting will affect the performances of the administration, build lack of trust from followers, thereby leading to loss of credibility.

Favour Udoma, 29, Journalist, Port Harcourt

President Muhammadu Buhari came in for the purpose of removing former President Goodluck Jonathan, and after that, the administration has had no clear purpose. President Buhari is insensitive to what is happening in his government. Some persons had alleged that the person in the Villa is not Buhari but that is yet to be proven.
We all are aware that President Muhammadu Buhari had on several occasions said that he was not aware of some of the decision taken by his appointees, this gives credence to the fact that he is not in charge. This has led to the formation of different interest groups in his government. It is those different interests that are fighting in his government and the fight is about protecting their selfish and personal interest at the detriment of the masses

Pastor David Akpa, Port Harcourt, Cleric

What brought about infighting in Buhari’s administration is greed. Many of those in Buhari’s Administration are there to achieve their selfish goals and that is the reason why they are fighting to protect one interest or the other. The administration has become a ‘dog eat dog thing’ and those involved are fighting for what they can grab.

Lorine Emenike, Journalist, Port Harcourt

The main cause of the infighting in Buhari Administration is on individual interest. Every member of the administration is pursuing one selfish interest or the other. There is no collective interest for the good of the administration and that is why you are seeing altercation. There is no collective interest in the achievement of the administration’s goals. What you see are groups breaking into cabals to achieve their individual selfish interest

Iyanuoluwa Funmilola, Educationist, Ibadan

There is no individual, family, friend, community, or government without infighting. The bigger question is, are these fights for selfish reasons or in the interest of the country? If the infightings in Buhari’s government will expose corrupt practices by government officials and immediate curbing of the cankerworms called corruption, then I think we are making a headway. If the infighting in Buhari’s government would further serve as a means to more looting, conceal corruption and divert public attention from the main course, then I think we are in even a bigger problem.

Chikezie Iwu, Entrepreneur, Lagos

I don’t believe there is anything like infighting. Politics in Nigeria, I would say, is a platform where politicians dramatize, and one of the scenes in the drama script can be said to be the infighting. I feel Buhari’s government is doing this to take the attention of the populace from the main challenges we are passing through in this government. I strongly believe they also want to tilt the focus of the media from the main issue to their personal problems. I think the Buhari’s government should understand that the people are less interested in their fights, so they should focus on their primary reasons for occupying the government positions and settle their differences.

Najib Sani, Author, and public commentator

It’s an embarrassment to the president. He needs to reconcile his appointees and promote unity and synergy among them. For instance, this is not the first time such conflicts ensued among his appointees. It happened between former state minister of petroleum Ibe Kachikwu and late MD of NNPC Maikanti Baru when the former accused the latter of insubordination. It happened between the late chief of staff Abba Kyari and National Security Adviser Mohammed Babagana Monguno. In fact, in recent times, there was a conflict between the first lady and personal assistant to the president which resulted to gunshots at the Villa. These are bad, the president should be able to call his appointees to order, reconcile them rather than allowing them to showcase their animosity in public. There should be synergy; cooperation and teamwork among ministries, heads of departments, agencies and public officers make the government succeed.