[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll over town, the Muhammadu Buhari administration has been receiving a deserved bashing for its most recent folly – the Alhaji Dollars aka allocating scarce dollars to pilgrims going on the Muslim Hajj to Mecca.
Even within the ranks of its most forgiving and defensive loyalists, a general feeling of dismay and let-down is now almost palpable. This is as it should be, for what is wrong is wrong.
The greatest calamity, however, is now to be seen in the administration’s arrogant silence in the face of the peoples’ displeasure. Not a word of explanation, clarification or defence for this infernal act of maladministration. Not a word!!!
In these circumstances, we must feel free to extrapolate and to extend the discussion in whatsoever directions we choose and into whichever realm reasonably suits our social, religious, economic or political leanings. And we must harden our positions and our hearts against this government that either won’t listen or is so hard of hearing.
Elsewhere, a retraction would have been issued; apologies served and a ranking officer relieved of his duties for ruffling the national equanimity. Here, there are some, even deep within the Rock itself, who are hailing ”Rankadede” to his imperious majesty for this historic accomplishment!
I wish them well. We shall meet again. In 2019. And whether under the banner of change or the cloak of progress, an account must be given of this administration’s policy of inglorious silence whenever and wherever matters of elevated public concern have occurred.
Okon Iyanam is a top corporate executive in Nigeria. Connect with him on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
