By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Senator representing Kaduna Central at the Senate, Shehu Sani has said there are clear indications that the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been hijacked by a powerful cabal who has been holding the President hostage.
He cited several shortcomings in the administration’s double-standard on corruption as clear evidence that certain individuals have “seriously stained the government of Buhari and undermined the capacity to deliver.”
In his words: “Another factor is the existence of a government within a government . A clique of people appeared to have surrounded the President and hijacked instrument of power . They overran the government and held the country to ransom. Otherwise , they are known as cabal.
“ From a democracy that is a government of the people for the people, we are now in a government of the cabal , by the cabal and for the cabal . And this seriously stained the government of Buhari and undermined the capacity to deliver.
“ Nigerians are worried that the President is held hostage and the government is being tele-guided, manipulated and directed by few people within the corridors of power.
“Another problem that the nation will continue to face is the fact that the moral component of Buhari ’ s administration is the war against corruption . Nigerians expected so much from him , but the disturbing trend is the fact that his capacity to address the problem of corruption seems to be very limited.
“ He seems to lack the virility , capability and potency to deal with friends and friends of his administration who have been found wanting.”
He went on : “ There is the issue of grass cutting scandal, which he has not been able to address . There is the issue of Kachikwu and Baru – NNPC scandal, which seems to have been swept under the carpet.
“ Now, there is the scandal of the recall of Maina. An impression is now created in the minds of Nigerians that the anti – corruption crusade is double -faced. And we must tell ourselves the truth: Corruption has become a cat with nine lives.
“ In the past , it was under the shade of an umbrella, but today , it is being swept under the carpet with a broom.”
In his reaction to the state of the nation, Musa said : “ There is no good sign that the situation in Nigeria has improved under Buhari ’ s government . Rather , things are now getting worse.
“ The only thing that can save the nation is for this country to redirect its policies and centre the socio-economic and political interest to public interest first , rather than private interest, which is the order of the day in Nigeria.”
