“Leadership’s primary job is to enhance creative capacity by developing collectively effective leadership.” William A. Adams, Mastering Leadership.
The attack by the Buhari Media Organization and other affiliate groups linked to the President’s re-election campaign on the profound policy statement made by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Wazirin Adamawa and frontline presidential aspirant of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) aptly confirmed their herds’ mentality.
It’s obvious that the abridged creative capacity the present administration is suffering has conclusively impacted its followers. They swarmed on the former Vice President for stating that he will privatize the refineries if elected President in 2019. They obviously did not understand the economic implication of his pronouncement.
There are a few unhidden facts that need to be stated:
- NNPC has demonstrated unrestrained opaqueness in the management of the oil sector.
- The refinery sub-sector is a significant contributor to the proven opaqueness of NNPC.
- Till date, no Nigerian can conclusively state the refining capacity of the refineries, except the occasional declaration of “production below capacities.”
- The endless petrol subsidy scam that has bedevilled the country is a function of the refineries crass inability to meet the fuel need of Nigerians.
- The Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on the refineries has continued to drain the resources of the Federal Government despite very poor refining capacities.
- The stated petrol consumption by Nigerians was between 35,000,000lts/day pre-2015.
- The present stated consumption of petrol is 65,000,000lts/day.
- The present subsidy administration by NNPC has been whimsical, devoid of due process and without legislative appropriation.
- The 30,000,000lts/day additional consumption cannot be explained.
The above economic wrecking, anti-people and development stunting consequences of the government continuous ownership of the refineries are what the “Atiku Solution” is designed to cure. Do these fellows really understand what they are criticizing?
How do we reconcile the barking of the Buharists considering the fact that they and their principal promoted and are still promoting the enactment of “Emergency Powers” to enable the President sidetrack the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly on economic matters?
Under the requested “Emergency Powers” stated above, the government is requesting about US$30bn loan for “infrastructure” development despite its clear inability to effectively manage the economy and provide a clear vision for job creation.
Critically, the administration’s determination to use our crude oil reserve as collateral for the loan will chain the hands of future administrations, hinder the federating units from assessing legitimate revenues and slow the diversification of the economy. This is what the army of Buharists are clamouring for, while turning deaf ears to the well articulated solution provided by the Wazirin Adamawa.
We, the supporters of Atiku Abubakar are ready to engage anybody in a debate. However, such must be based on policy to strict proof every agenda in the interest of our nation and well being of the citizens.
The stake is too high to leave the field for rabble rousers to engage in endless diversionary effusion that will do the nation no good. We have journeyed on the sentimental route for so long and the country cannot afford it again.
Atiku’s policy statement will create wealth for Nigerian entrepreneurs, jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and preserve our foreign exchange.
Atiku Abubakar has demonstrated the capacity to create wealth with his intellect and available opportunities he encounters. He is not a man of excuses. His odyssey so far on earth can be located in this quote by Orison Swett Marden:
“The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.”
Arise Nigerians and take charge of your country through Atiku Abubakar, the Wazirin Adamawa.
Kelechi Jeff Eme