Buhari vs
Jonathan: Beyond
the Election
BY CHUKWUMA CHARLES SOLUDO
JAN 25, 2015
I need to preface this article with a few clarifications. I have taken a long sabbatical leave from partisan politics, and it is real fun watching the drama from the balcony. Having had my own share of public service (I do not need a job from government), I now devote my time and energy in pursuit of other passions, especially abroad. A few days ago, I read an article in Thisday entitled “Where is Charles Soludo?”, and my answer is that I am still there, only that I have been too busy with extensive international travels to participate in or comment on our national politics and economy.
But
I occasionally follow events at home. Since the survival and prosperity of
Nigeria are at stake, the least some of us (albeit, non-partisan) must do is to
engage in public debate. As the elections approach, I owe a duty to share some
of my concerns.
In
September 2010, I wrote a piece entitled “2011 Elections: Let the Real Debate
Begin” and published by Thisday. I understand the Federal Executive Council
discussed it, and the Minister of Information rained personal attacks on me
during the press briefing. I noted more than six newspaper editorials in
support of the issues we raised. Beside other issues we raised, our main thesis
was that the macro economy was dangerously adrift, with little self-insurance
mechanisms (and a prediction that if oil prices fell below $40, many state
governments would not be able to pay salaries). I gave a subtle hint at easy
money and exchange rate depreciations because I did not want to panic the
market with a strong statement. Sadly, on the eve of the next elections,
literally everything we hinted at has happened.
Part of my motivation for this article is that five years after, the
real debate is still not happening.
