What is President Buhari’s Likely Banana Peel?

Despite the widespread euphoria which greeted President Muhammadu Buhari’s stepping into power last week, some analysts believe he is set to face different challenges in his drive to bring sanity to a disorganised polity. Although challenges to Nigeria’s development are many, they believe there is always a major banana peel somewhere that can trip up Buhari’s quest for good governance. To you, what is this likely greatest challenge and how can it be nipped in the bud?

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

* The APC leaders’ inability to resolve their differences so much quickly may become an albatross; and cynics too, who do not want to give him (President Buhari) the benefit of the doubt. The solution is to call off the bluff of both groups.
- Mr. Godwin Haruna, Ohio, USA

* His fight against corruption may be more difficult to achieve due to light penalties, slow justice system and worst of all a lack of fear of the justice system. Ribadu's EFCC sent fear down the spines of corrupt persons during his tenure. The National Assembly can help by speedily passing a law that would empower the EFCC to hold without bail those culpable of economic crimes against the nation because that is what stealing public funds is; especially those caught red-handed like the N2 billion cash in the bedroom of the pension thief. Also his (Buhari) being courted by the West is suspicious to me. History shows that all these things they are offering usually come with strings attached and these strings tend to end up in problems for us.
- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

* Insecurity or and militancy are the banana peels we must all beware of. Boko Haram’s consistent and lingering and precise strikes call for concern especially as it is draining the nation's finances. Inability of government troops to smoke them out even with good arsenal at our disposal is worrisome. Our insecurity situation needs unique attention urgently.
- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

* The menace of terrorism, Nigerians are tired of being killed every day by terrorists, so they decide and vote a capable President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage them from these apostles of mayhem. How will he do that?; through skills acquisition, dialogue, creation of job opportunities and involvement of every citizen in the security process. If he can achieve this, then be rest assured that developing other sectors will be easy. Secondly, total removal of fuel subsidy and prosecution of oil cabals. Thirdly, power supply is a mirage and disgraceful in this country. The president should as a matter of fact investigate the so-called privatisation.
- Mr. James Bartholomew Sisinbaki, Nasarawa State

* The involvement of APC could be a banana peel.
- Mr. Lekan Oluwole, Ibadan, Oyo State

* President Buhari must watch out for the cruel economic saboteurs lurking around as they remain a major national threat. The oil sector rots, treasury lootings, pipeline vandalism, ritual killings, various contract breaches, import and export irregularities, bad roads, rusty transportation system, militancy, tax evasion, industry and education decay, moral, social and cultural decadence e.t.c. all emanate from obvious sabotage. Government must clamp down on saboteurs and their corrupt allies.
- Mr. Saiki Ometere Tina, Gboko, Benue State

* Corruption should be peeled off from its entire ramification; considering its damaging effect to the nation globally.
- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna

* President Buhari has started on a bright note with regular power supply nationwide as Nigerians react. Let us keep the tempo going. Buhari should assemble people with credible characters in his government to make things happen and to avoid banana peel. The expectation of Nigerians is high for him to deliver, despite the emptied treasury he inherited. With God on his side, he will take us to the Promised Land of good governance. Let us give him time because he must restructure things done badly by the opposition party.
- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

* Lack of discipline and principles in Nigeria are likely banana peels for President Buhari.
- Mr. Feyisetan Kareem, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State

* President Buhari's likely banana peel is oil subsidy. We must remove it urgently and concentrate on local refining for a smooth running of government at all tiers. Government must create and use judiciously anti-corruption courts, prosecute all tax evaders, overhaul our import and export policies, reorganise the Nigerian Customs Service against smuggling activities e.t.c. Let us curb excesses like a Greek gift of over N9billion cooking stoves whereas we flare gas consistently. Indiscriminate timber felling, wild bush fires e.t.c are in dire need of regulations and reforms.
- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos

* Corruption. He wants to fight corruption but he is surrounded by some corrupt people who bank-rolled his campaign. These people have their own agenda.
- Mr. John Shiklam, Kaduna State

* His (Buhari) most likely banana peel is his political appointees that could run him down. He must be very careful with the type of people he appoints. Though he said he is for everybody and also for nobody, sentiments must be kept aside if he is to succeed. A criminal is a criminal and must be dealt with if found wanting. Nigerians are fearful people and the President must not allow them to gain any chance over him. With all these, the sky would be his limit in his leadership.
- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna

* It is subsidy. He has to remove oil subsidy; but he must win the battle first in the court of public opinion.
- Mr. Emele Onu, Lagos 

* Good people of Nigeria generally deserve good governance in the areas of security, social amenities and corrupt-free society. All these put together with the removal of fuel subsidy quagmire will bring our cherished nation to the next level. God will help President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve these in a record time.
- Otunba Kayode Aremu Shobowale, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

* I am not looking at Buhari and his many challenges for I know that there is no problem that is insurmountable. The banana peel will be Buhari’s team – ministers and heads of government departments and agencies. If he makes the right choices, Nigerians will rejoice over the change they have been longing for but wrong choices will throw him out after four years. Buhari has the capacity to move this country forward with or without the bad elements in his party. His approach to issues shows that he knows what the challenges are and a problem identified is half solved.
- Mr. Egbuna Nduanya, Analyst, Enugu

THE FEEDBACK
Top banana peel: Fight against corruption
Second: Battling insurgency
Third: Political interference
Radical tip: Remove oil subsidy!
Total no of respondents: 15
Male: 14
Female: 1
Highest location: Lagos (3)

Next Week: Which Foreign Aid Does Nigeria Need Most?
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently enjoying the goodwill of the international community, where powerful global leaders are courting him and offering to help bail Nigeria out of her present all-round difficult situation. Some analysts want stolen loot repatriated quickly to the cash-strapped country; others want looters identified for local prosecution; yet others want technology transfer; improved agric breeds and varieties; weapons for the military to help overcome insurgency; and unconditional grants and loans, To you, which particular form of foreign aid does Nigeria need urgently and why?

Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (June 11 & Monday (June 15) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, June 18