BY DR. IBRAHIM H. ALKALI
Why must the “hailers” on the one hand, and the “wailers” on the other hand, of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, necessarily, “not see eye to eye”?! Both sides seem to be extreme in their views in support or in praise of, or in opposition to, or in antagonism with, respectively, the President.
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Unwarranted “hailing” and unfair “wailing”, even without the “hailers” and “wailers” necessarily realizing it, could be psychologically tantamount to fanatical “blind followership” on the one hand; and unjustly unfair antagonistic opposition of the President and his government on the other hand, respectively.
In the “neutral” middle of all these “hailing” and “wailing”, there are many of us Nigerians — some of whom may have been his loudest “hailers” and “staunchest” supporters (while others have remained in the middle “neutral” from the inception of his government in 2015). Those of us who have been his “hailers” and even more, have now joined the “neutral” others, to become cautious supporters or neutral “middle men and women”, with our respective tenable reasons, or otherwise.
However, we the “middle benchers” or “neutrals” continue to wish the President and his government well all the same, with our best possible regards and goodwill. But we now prefer to be neither “hailers only”, nor “wailers only”, at least not so habitually, as is the case with virtually most Nigerians.
We of the neutral middle therefore, occasionally hail President Buhari and his government whenever we feel it is so reasonably deserving and worthy or “hailable”. But we also do not hesitate, and are never shy of or reluctant to constructively “wail” occasionally; at least privately or informally and unofficially; rather than publicly or formally and officially; against him and his government, whenever we have good and tenable reasons to do so. This is a clear departure, of course, from the usual barrage of unconstructive and even destructive unending wailing by the “professional” and “amateur” wailers that abound nationwide.
We, the “neutrals” or “middle people”, moved by patriotic zeal, “hail” or “wail” the President and his government as the case may be, only when so occasioned. And even so, with circumspection, and not unendingly, as is the lot of the subjective, submissive, and non-objective hailers on the one hand; and the unconstructive, destructive, and even hateful wailers on the other hand, respectively. Our hope and prayer always, is that the President and his government may likely take heed to whatever situation that may be on the ground that needs to be put aright. And gradually and eventually improve in the administration of the country for the optimum benefit of Nigerians. This is necessary, for the sake of a better Nigeria, devoid of the continuous endemic and pervasive corruption cankerworm in particular especially, at long last.
Unfortunately, we the “middle benchers” are the most despised of the three groups. We are despised by the “hailers” because we prefer “cautious optimism” “reasonably sensible support” to the outright opportunistic “fanatical” and “blind followership” support, which may also be tantamount to sycophancy and bootlicking, of these “hailers”.
Lamentably, we the “neutrals” and “middlemen” are even more so despised by the “wailers”. They generally tend to always antagonize the President and his government unendingly. They do so through their unfair, biased, prejudiced, provocative, sentimental, sensational, unprovoked, and unjustified oppositions to the President and his government, at their every whim and caprice!
We the “neutrals” are even more specifically despised by these two groups of hailers and wailers! Because on the one hand, the “hailers” see us as being no different from the “wailers” — even though sincerely, there is a world of difference between us and them. On the other hand, the wailers see us as “sitting on the fence”, which in reality, we are not at all.
To be sure, we, the “neutrals”, “middle men/women” or “middle benchers” — whichever name you prefer to call us — do see some things good about this incumbent government of President Buhari. And we often say so even louder, and clearer, than even the so-called professional and amateur “hailers” do. But this notwithstanding, where we see other things that are not good or ideal for our country, we also say it loud and clear, in the interest of our nation.
The dogged and unyielding “wailers” also tend to classify us as being the same with the career or occupational “hailers”, which we are actually not. Yes, we may “hail” or “wail” here and there, whenever or wherever we see the need to do so. It is not personal! But it is rather in the larger interests of our dear and beloved country, Nigeria, which is actually above any individual or group. However, both the “hailers” and “wailers” fail to see this, perhaps due to their political or apolitical persuasions, sentimental or sensational views, and/or biased or prejudiced opinions and other “reasons” best known to them!
It is unfortunate, unfair, pathetic, and even unjust, for the “wailers” to claim severally and frequently, that they see nothing good about this incumbent Buhari administration! This is not only far-fetched and far away from the truth and the reality on the ground, but also baseless, unfounded, and uncalled-for. How can these wailers be so biased and prejudiced against this Buhari government, and so blind to the reality on the ground?!
For instance, how can the wailers be so blind to the on-going war against corruption in Nigeria by this incumbent government, which war is still in progress and being fought by the government?! How about the Treasury Single Account (TSA) System, which appears to be working well?! And the Voluntary Assets and Income Declarations System (VAIDS) of Taxation; as well as the increased percentage rate of the Value Added Tax (VAT) System, for more revenues to accrue to the federal government, for more infrastructural development of the country; both of which appear to be working well. The “Whistleblower Policy” of this government is another good policy of the federal government. Unfortunately, this very policy, being virtually no longer heard of since the onset of the President’s second term almost one year ago, appears to have been “silently” discontinued. But it was apparently working well during the first term, when it lasted.
Moreover, a lot of money in both Naira and “hard” currencies, amounting to a total Millions and Billions of Naira, have already been recovered from some of the looters of our country, both here at home in Nigeria, and from abroad. And some of these shameless looters are already in jail, serving various terms of imprisonment of several years each. Cases of other looters are pending and being awaited by Nigerians for confiscation of the stolen and looted amounts and jailing of the recalcitrant corrupt looters. The trials of these looters in different courts nationwide are either on-going, in progress, up-coming, pending, or at least being “Kept In View” (“KIV”). Yet the dogged and unyielding occupational “wailers” are feigning a blind eye and continue to claim ignorance to all these achievements of record of this Buhari administration, and even more?!
Furthermore, even though the fighting of the war against the insurgency of the so-called “Boko Haram” rebels has not yet ended or succeeded 100%; and perhaps an end to this ignorant, conspiratorial, protracted, and perennial rebellion is not yet even in sight; the rebels have obviously been degraded, and their fighting spirit dampened by the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces. Doubtless, there has been a drastic reduction of the attacks by the Boko Haram rebels generally. And specifically, in major towns, cities, and even villages all across the North, where they used to hold sway, and in the North East of the country in particular.
On the other extreme, the “die-hard ‘Buharist’ hailers” generally fail to condone or tolerate the least criticism of their revered President Buhari, who they seem to revere almost to the extent of deification! This incumbent charismatic President of all Nigerians, be they “hailers”, “wailers”, or “neutrals”, is however “overprotected” by these hailers, who always with difficulty and sometimes woefully and with failure, try their best to insulate him from all criticisms — regardless of whether or not such criticisms are constructive, necessary, or useful; or non-constructive and destructive; sentimental and sensational; or biased, prejudiced, unfair, and unjust.
As far as these die-hards, compulsive, obsessive, fanatical, boot-licking, sycophantic, infatuated, or fanatical “hailers” are concerned, President Buhari is “perfect”! Buhari can never do wrong! Buhari or his government can never make any mistake! But how can?! Is he not a human being?! And is his government not composed of and run by members who are also fellow human beings?! Trust me, the truth is man is not God! Apparently, these “hailers” are “charmed” and obsessed by the natural charisma and long-standing favoured personality of the President! Hence, they are equally blind to the President’s faults and shortcomings, at least as a fellow human being, if nothing else.
These “hailers” of the President tend to always feel and behave as if there is no option whatsoever to hailing the President in particular, and most especially. They are therefore not only “blind followers” but also in their continuous journey of blind followership of the President. These “Buharists” and fanatical supporters therefore scorn at any constructive criticism of the President and his government. Even where such criticism is necessary where the need arises in the nation’s larger interests. They are always scornful especially towards the neutral “middle benchers” like myself! Even worse so, than their on-going and unending duel with their “wailer” adversaries. These “hailers” always see the President as such, and insist that everyone else must necessarily follow them suit. How morally and legally right is such a stance by the “hailers”?!
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