Nigeria: 2014 National Conference and the Benefits of Restructuring

In 2014, the Goodluck Jonathan administration organised a national dialogue to deliberate on, and recommend ways to resolve some of the challenges facing his government, many of which problems were rooted in history, and arguably, have been multiplied and magnified by the failure of the current administration. Since Buhari took office in May 2015, virtually every sector of the society has been impacted adversely. Direct foreign investment is down. The stock market has shrunk. Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which surpassed that of South Africa for the first time during the Jonathan years is now the lowest it has been in 25 years. Unemployment level is growing by the day. The cost of essential commodities such as food stuff has tripled, causing hunger and unheard of levels of poverty in the land. The naira is at the lowest level it has been in history.

There is also the growing state of insecurity. Despite the administration's attempts to downplay the menace of Boko Haram, the terror group continues to rampage. Fulani herdsmen have added another dimension to the state of insecurity. The impunity with which these graze their cattle continues to create conflict in local communities across the country. Sporadic clashes between the Federal Government and various groups in the south east, and the south-south geo-political zones have continued unabated since Buhari became president.

The Igbo allege that they are politically marginalised, and the Ijaws claim that they are fiscally exploited and environmentally abused. Others in the South-west, and in the north-central have joined in accusing the President of being concerned only with the core northern parts of the country. Comments from even allies of the President allude to his failure as a leader and Dr. Junaid Mohammed's declaration that "Nepotism in Buhari's Government Is The Worst In Nigeria's History," is a chilling, but widely held opinion. It can be said that the political climate today has never been this convoluted and gloomy in peace time Nigeria.