By Bisong Achor
ONE of the boldest steps President Muhammadu Buhari has taken since his assumption of office about a year ago is certainly his administration’s decision to remove petrol subsidy which has become an albatross around the neck of this country. For doing what several governments before it had failed to do is certainly something that deserves a national salute. Boldness and courage are hallmarks of leadership and Buhari has shown through this spectacular act that he wants to be remembered as a bold and courageous leader who rose to the occasion when action was demanded from him by the circumstance.
And by doing what was needful in the circumstance, Buhari made a very loud statement about his character and the quality of leadership he is ready to offer to Nigerians. He said it loud and clear that he will not shy away from doing what is right even if such actions may cost him a part of his popularity. A good leader does not do what is popular but what is right and proper for his country.
There comes a time in the life of a country when a certain decisive decision must be taken as to which direction the nation may have to go. If the existing leadership of the time is intelligent, patriotic, foresighted, courageous and selfless enough, such a decision is made no matter the social and political cost of taking such a policy option. And when that is done, the country will, years later, look back and salute the sagacity and boldness of the set of leadership that took it on behalf of the country. If, on the other hand, the men and women of destiny of the time failed to take it, years later, the whole nation will also look back and rue the opportunity that was missed in failing to take that particular route. Nigeria has reached such a point with regard to whether or not the downstream sector of the petroleum industry should be deregulated or not to free the country from the humongous amount of money it spends yearly in subsidizing petrol.
One of the reasons this blessed country has not made as much progress as it ought to have made over the years, is the failure of many leaders to do what is right in any circumstance. The fear of losing popularity or losing re-election or losing power, as in the case of military rulers, has always been the main consideration of many of our past leaders. But the taking of hard, sometimes unpalatable decisions by a leader, is what makes nations which have produced such men and women, great.
The taking of hard, painful decision is so crucial that one American ex-president, George Bush, wrote a book entitled Decisions in which he saluted or celebrated a select list of American leaders who were called upon in their times to make hard decisions and who had the courage to make such even when an overwhelming majority of their people were against the taking of such decisions.
If a book with such a title and content is written by a Nigerian on some Nigerian leaders who have exhibited the courage of their convictions to do what is right and just for their nation, the name of Buhari will certainly be among them. If a Hall of Fame of courageous leaders is erected in Nigeria today, Buhari’s name is certain to be in that hall.
Here is a president who rode to power on a campaign promise, among others, that he will not remove subsidy on petrol. However, when he got to the office and discovered the reality on the ground and the necessity of removing subsidy lest the country grinds to a halt, his hand was not restrained by the possible political cost of not been seen as a promise keeper. He quickly demonstrated that he is swayed by the higher love for his country than keeping a promise that will ruin that same country. In other words, he acted more like a statesman who has an eye for his place in history than a politician who is more conscious of the next election. For a man, who possibly has an eye for re-election come 2019 to keep that aside and do what needs to be done in the circumstance, such a man is truly a rare leader.
While there is a mixed reaction to the move by Buhari, majority of Nigerians are supportive of Mr. President not because they are not aware of the temporary pains the policy option will bring upon them. No, they are fully aware of the sacrifice all citizens are expected to make for the good of the nation because they accept the fact that there can be no pain for any people who desire gain. This writer humbly calls on other Nigerians who are yet to see the wisdom in what the administration has done to realise that it is better for petrol to be available at a higher cost than that it is not available at all. This is what removal of petrol subsidy means. We should be happy that this decision has been taken rather than for reason of self-survival the government shied away from taking it and allowing the nation to fumble and wobble along until the whole country crashes one day.
Nigerians should also distance themselves from all those do-gooders in some of the labour unions who are calling out citizens to come out on strike designed to paralyse the nation. The country is facing severe crisis on many fronts. This is not the time for any further action that can only get things worse.
. Achor writes from Abuja