ADVERTISEMENT

Buhari’s Democracy Day speech is yam without oil, By Fredrick Nwabufo

Fredrick Nwabufo |29th May 2018 | 2,106
Buhari’s Democracy Day speech is yam without oil, By Fredrick Nwabufo

Fredrick Nwabufo

Why are President Buhari’s speeches always vapid and tepid? This morning, I listened to his Democracy Day address on a stratosphere of expectations but was brought to the terra firma of disappointment. Totally uninspiring!

I strained my ears to hear the president mention a single project his government started and completed in three years. But he mentioned none, except for “carry-over projects”. Not even a significant achievement. Can I then say the government spent three years floundering and chasing a will-o-the-wisp?

By the way, when has granting licences for the establishment of private universities become an achievement?

Also, the president’s speech was destitute of exactitude in halting violent crimes. He said more security personnel are being recruited and trained, and that more “modern-day” arms are being procured to help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes. Granted that this is a customary government approach to security challenges, I had expected him to address specific cases in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara and Adamawa with spunk.

The president used the political phrase “herdsmen-farmers” clashes to refer to the killings in the central part of the country. I saw this as skirting around the issue. What is happening in Benue, where Catholic priests and parishioners were killed, is a deliberate massacre not “herdsmen-farmers” clashes. What happened in Taraba on Friday, where a seminary was attacked, is intentioned criminality not “herdsmen-farmers” clashes.

I believe the first approach to solving a security problem is stripping it of all political pretences and trappings. The killings in Benue and other places should be properly tagged and addressed. Nigeria is at present an island of blood. Too many souls have been dispatched to the place yonder untimely.

However, I must commend the president for his decision to sign the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill. But he must understand that he is not doing the youth a favour. That bill encapsulates the rights and not privileges of young Nigerians to vie for any elective office in the country. It is long overdue.

I also get a feeling that the president is trying to pacify the youth after his “LazyNigerianyouth” gaffe. Why wait this long to sign the bill – after youth protests and rallies? The 2019 general election is nigh and the youth are crucial to it.

In all, the speech is yam without oil for me. Drab! I ate the yam like that and almost choked on it.

•Fredrick is a writer, journalist and media entrepreneur. He can be reached on Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo, Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo



Comments

Post Comment

Rapper Falz announces engagement to fiancée

Rapper Falz announces engagement to fiancée

 No plans to dump NNPP for another party — Kwankwaso

No plans to dump NNPP for another party — Kwankwaso

Davido, Burna Boy, Shallipopi Lead AFRIMA 2025 Nominations as Lagos Prepares to Host Africa’s Biggest Music Celebration

Davido, Burna Boy, Shallipopi Lead AFRIMA 2025 Nominations as Lagos Prepares to Host Africa’s Biggest Music Celebration

End of an era: Billions of packages of ‘cheap’ goods shipped to the US are now subject to steep tariffs

End of an era: Billions of packages of ‘cheap’ goods shipped to the US are now subject to steep tariffs

‘TikTok for Artistes’ launches in Nigeria to support artiste growth and fan engagement

‘TikTok for Artistes’ launches in Nigeria to support artiste growth and fan engagement

Rivers: Bode George warns against extension of emergency rule beyond Sept 18

Rivers: Bode George warns against extension of emergency rule beyond Sept 18

NCAA launches Service Charter, commits to transparency, accountability

NCAA launches Service Charter, commits to transparency, accountability

Ex-VP hands over Yola property, former Adamawa PDP office to ADC

Ex-VP hands over Yola property, former Adamawa PDP office to ADC

Gulfstream Delivers First Longest Range Business Jet in the World

Gulfstream Delivers First Longest Range Business Jet in the World

Excess crude account shrinks to $535,823 as NEC orders accelerated reforms

Excess crude account shrinks to $535,823 as NEC orders accelerated reforms

Dangote ends West Africa’s fuel import dependence, emerges region’s key diesel, jet fuel supplier

Dangote ends West Africa’s fuel import dependence, emerges region’s key diesel, jet fuel supplier

Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country is facing backlash over US migrant deal

Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country is facing backlash over US migrant deal

Millions of children at risk across Africa as aid cuts impact food supplies

Millions of children at risk across Africa as aid cuts impact food supplies

FG targets 25% contribution from ICT sector to GDP by 2030

FG targets 25% contribution from ICT sector to GDP by 2030

Governor Adeleke flags off enrolment of inmates into Osun health insurance scheme

Governor Adeleke flags off enrolment of inmates into Osun health insurance scheme

Trent Alexander-Arnold, PSG, Barcelona and the winners & losers of the 2025-26 Champions League draw

Trent Alexander-Arnold, PSG, Barcelona and the winners & losers of the 2025-26 Champions League draw

May, Obioma, Olugbile emerge as finalists of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2025

May, Obioma, Olugbile emerge as finalists of the Nigeria Prize for Literature, 2025

Amusan withdraws from Diamond League final

Amusan withdraws from Diamond League final

 Ex-champ McGirt tips Joshua to beat Usyk

Ex-champ McGirt tips Joshua to beat Usyk

Xi shows Trump who holds the cards as he sets up meeting with Kim and Putin

Xi shows Trump who holds the cards as he sets up meeting with Kim and Putin

Friday, August 29, 2025 10:27 AM
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow us on

GOCOP Accredited Member

GOCOP Accredited member
logo

NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Contact

Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
+234(0)8098020976, 07013416146, 08066020976
info@newsexpressngr.com

Find us on

Facebook
Twitter

Copyright NewsExpress Nigeria 2025