Abdulsalami’s Advice
General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Military Head of State, has once again stepped into the spotlight with his recent comments on the country’s economic crisis. While his words echo the sentiments of many Nigerians, they also invite a critical examination of his own legacy and the role of Nigeria’s past leaders in the current state of affairs.
The Irony of History
Abdulsalami’s Advice call for the government to “listen to Nigerians’ cry” carries a certain irony. As a former Head of State who oversaw Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999, he had a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for a more robust and responsive democratic system. Yet, 25 years later, we find ourselves in a situation where such basic appeals for government responsiveness are still necessary.
Missed Opportunities: During his brief tenure (1998-1999), Abdulsalami could have instituted stronger checks and balances, anti-corruption measures, and economic reforms that might have prevented the current crisis.
The Legacy of Military Rule: As part of Nigeria’s military elite, Abdulsalami bears some responsibility for the institutional weaknesses that continue to plague Nigeria’s governance.
Short-Term Thinking: The hasty transition to democracy, while laudable, perhaps prioritized speed over sustainability, leaving many systemic issues unresolved.
Current Recommendations
While Abdulsalami’s diagnosis of the problem is accurate, his proposed solutions fall short:
Food Saturation: His suggestion to “flood and saturate the communities with food” is a short-term fix that doesn’t address the root causes of food insecurity and inflation.
Government Intervention: The idea of government buying and selling food at lower prices could lead to market distortions and is reminiscent of failed socialist policies of the past.
Palliatives Critique: While he rightly points out that palliatives are not the answer, his alternative suggestions don’t offer a comprehensive economic strategy.
The Broader Context
Abdulsalami’s Advice must be viewed within the larger context of Nigeria’s political economy:
Cycle of Crisis: Nigeria has faced similar economic hardships before. The fact that we’re here again points to deeper, unresolved structural issues.
Role of Past Leaders: As a member of Nigeria’s political elite, Abdulsalami is part of a class that has had multiple opportunities to address these issues.
Democratic Maturity: His caution against violent protests, while valid, seems to underestimate the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy and the right to peaceful dissent.
The Way Forward
For Abdulsalami’s interventions to be truly meaningful, they should:
Acknowledge Past Failings: Recognize the role that he and other past leaders played in creating the current situation.
Propose Structural Reforms: Offer concrete suggestions for institutional changes that would prevent future crises.
Support Civil Society: Use his influence to strengthen democratic institutions and civil society organizations.
Mentor New Leadership: Focus on nurturing a new generation of leaders committed to transparency and good governance.
Advocate for Constitutional Reforms: Push for changes that would make Nigeria’s political system more responsive and accountable.
Conclusion
While General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s concern for Nigeria’s current crisis is commendable, his words ring somewhat hollow when viewed against the backdrop of missed opportunities during his own time in power. As Nigeria grapples with economic hardship and political challenges, it’s crucial to remember that today’s problems are often the result of yesterday’s inactions or missteps.
The real test for figures like Abdulsalami is not in offering piecemeal advice from the sidelines, but in acknowledging their own role in Nigeria’s complex history and working tirelessly to support meaningful, long-term reforms. As Nigerians face yet another crisis, they deserve more than sympathy from their former leaders – they deserve accountability, vision, and concrete action to build a more resilient and prosperous nation.
The path forward for Nigeria requires not just listening to the cries of the people, but a fundamental reimagining of governance structures and economic policies. It’s time for Nigeria’s elder statesmen to move beyond platitudes and use their influence to foster real, systemic change. Only then can we hope to break the cycle of recurring crises that have defined Nigeria’s post-independence history.
Reference
Abdulsalami to FG: Situation is bad, listen to Nigerians’ cry published in Vanguard