WHERE IS THE "CHANGE" APC?

It will be difficult even for a keen observer to keep track of the many policy somersaults and gaff of the Ruling All Progressive Congress APC but the most recent is laughable to say the least.

The Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed described as a round peg in a round hole in a statement quoted President Mohammadu Buhari to have said former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP were not prepared for defeat.

Those who know our Information Minister must have taken what he said with a bag of salt, but for the very few that may have swallowed what he said a little clarification is necessary.

Is it not surprising that Seven Months into the life of this administration, the APC still carries on with the Attitude of a Party on Campaign trail? Recall that the same Lai Mohammed who was the National Publicity Secretary of the APC had informed the Nation back in April 2015 that President – elect (as he was then) had inaugurated a 19 member Transition Committee to liaise with the Federal Government then to ensure a smooth transfer of power.

The terms of reference of the committee included “To develop a clear framework for liaison with the out-going Administration for the purpose of a smooth hand-over/take-over and receive hand-over documents from Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Itemise the most important or most urgent issues confronting the in-coming government.

The committee was also saddled with reviewing and making preliminary assessment of the balance sheet of government with particular emphasis on the status of assets and liabilities of government; cash flow position of the government; quantum of public domestic and external debt of government and their deployment; government’s out-standing contractual obligations and its ability to meet such obligations and the status of implementation of capital projects.

The committee was also expected to undertake a preliminary assessment of the security challenges facing the country and the counter-insurgency measures taken by the government thus far; the counter policy measures being implemented in the Niger Delta to deal with unrest and major economic crimes in the area.

The committee will assess in particular, the status of the Amnesty Programme, the readiness of the Police and other national security and intelligence agencies in addressing threats to law and order and provide a brief over-view of CBN, NNPC, NCC, Customs and FIRS.

Other terms of reference of the committee included to suggest “quick fixes” which will result in tangible, visible and practical measures so that “change” will be seen after 30 days, after 100 days, after 6 months of the Administration taking office.

The committee will also make any other observations which in its view would be helpful to the transition and take-off of the new Administration.

Speaking at the inauguration, then President-elect charged the committee to “assess the information provided to you and advise me on its quality and accuracy. It is a simple matter that you must have the right information if you are to shape appropriate policy decisions.”

“Needless to repeat, that your Committee and indeed our Government are not on a witch-hunt or engaged in fault-finding. We want the facts and nothing but the facts. What has been done cannot be undone. Our job is to learn from the mistakes of the past and attempt to avoid similar.”

The President – Elect (as he was then) hailed the caliber of the committee’s membership, saying they represent some of the best Nigeria can offer. He described the committee chairman, Ahmed Joda, as one of the few surviving links between First Republic civil service to the present day, a man whose versatility includes farming, industry and 21st Century IT and one of Nigerian’s precious assets.

Full list of Transition Committee members:

1. Ahmed Joda – Chairman

2. Doyin Salami – Vice-Chairman

3. Boss Mustapha

4. Muhammad Hayatuddin

5. Abubakar Malami

6. Lawal Jafaru Isa

7. Hadi Sirika

8. Audu Ogbeh

9. Dalong

10. Bola Adesola

11. Wale Edun

12. Nike Aboderin

13. Ogbonnaya Onu

14. Festus Odimegwu

15. John Oyegun

16. Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

17. Tam David West

18. Lai Mohammed

19 Adamu Adamu – Secretary

The only complain the committee (and the APC a Party of complainers) had was that there was delay in getting the Hand-over notes from the Ministries a situation the Chairman of the Committee said they devised other means of getting same information. If there is any failure then it’s a failure on the part of the Transition Committee to adequately prepare the ground for Mr. President.

Former President Jonathan was not prepared for defeat? But he called the President – Elect Mohammadu Buhari (as he was then) before the final announcement of results was made and congratulated him. A far cry from the response of President Buhari who in 2011 refused to concede defeat, prompting his goons to take to the streets taking several lives. It is not on record that our President had apologized to the Nation for his actions and inactions that led to the butchering of several National Youth Service Corps members serving in the Northern part of the Country then. President Buhari was said to have gone on to threaten that “The Blood of the Monkey and the Baboon will be soaked in Blood” if he lost the 2015 Elections.

The APC, President Mohammadu Buhari and the Information Minister should know that the Campaigns ended after the Elections. The party and its officials will do themselves and the Nation a world of good if they will heed President – Elect (as he was then) Buhari’s charge to the Committee then. “Needless to repeat, that your Committee and indeed our Government are not on a witch-hunt or engaged in fault-finding. We want the facts and nothing but the facts. What has been done cannot be undone. Our job is to learn from the mistakes of the past and attempt to avoid similar.”

It’s time to get to work. By the terms of reference of the Committee that Alhaji Lai Mohammed was a part, Nigerians ought to have felt the impact of this administration after six months, if that is not happening; it’s not the fault of Former President Jonathan and the PDP. President Buhari was a member of the Council of State under former President Jonathan and many of those in the APC had access to even secret information, they knew the state of our Economy and the internal workings of the Government before they mounted rostrums across the length and breadth of the Country and beyond making promises they know good and well they never intended to fulfill.

The ceaseless blaming of the PDP only point to the fact that the APC and President Mohammadu Buhari were not prepared for Victory and Governance. The Party that was so eager to take over power that they almost formed a parallel government as President –Elect (as he was then) Mohammadu Buhari was receiving diplomats even before he was sworn – in to office, given Nigerians the impression that he will hit the ground running, unfortunately Mr. President hit the ground and sat down earning for himself the nickname Baba Go-Slow.

It was John Burroughs who said “A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.” The Government in Power ought to listen to this time worn truth, but I doubt if they will as the party continue to sing; “Now that we have power, what are we going to do with it”

It is also pertinent to call Lai Mohammed’s attention to the fact that Late Murtala Mohammed ruled this Nation for about Seven Months and left his prints in the annals of the History of our Great Nation that an International Airport and several National Monuments are built in his Honor. President Buhari’s first coming was dogged with controversies and Nigerians greeted his ouster with a sigh of relief, what will he be remembered for in his second coming?

Finally, Nigerians that are groaning presently and are further compelled to keep vigils in fuel stations across the Nation, are the least interested if PDP or Jonathan lost an election Seven Months ago, they are asking where is the “CHANGE” you promised APC”