By Tony Nwaka

I honestly wish President Buhari would, as a matter of urgency, hold a live two-hour televised media chat/phone-in program here in Nigeria. I believe the program would not only dispel the many controversies around the president but also afford him the opportunity to directly inform Nigerians about his stewardship.

Buhari

If two hours of such interaction would be too burdensome for him, on account of his age, then, maybe just one hour. At least, he needs to take out time now and speak directly with Nigerians. There is considerable apprehension in the land.

Particularly on such burning issues as the escalating insecurity in the country; Boko Haram, herdsmen, kidnapping, ritual murders. The ASUU strike, the minimum wage, the worries about his war on corruption, the implosion in his party, APC, and assurances on government’s preparedness for a credible election in 2019.

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Following the various reports in the media, it is evident that the Nigerian people are increasingly agitated by the aforementioned inadequacies and would wish to hear directly from their president, beyond the official statements packaged by his speech writers. I hope the president understands that the seemingly conflicting messages coming sometimes from the different organs of his government have not helped matters.

They further tend to create the impression of an uncoordinated administration. Nigerians would want to be convinced that President Buhari is still the man calling the shots and not a shadowy cabal, whose agenda may be at variance with the national interest.

A live media chat/phone-in program on television would enable Nigerians, anywhere they are across the world, to reasonably make an independent assessment of Buhari’s administration, his thought process, body language and continuing suitability for the exalted office of Nigerian President.

I am convinced there are many good sides of his administration he could use the opportunity of the media chat to emphasize, like his accomplishments in transport infrastructure; construction of roads and airports. Unprecedented revenues generated by Nigeria Customs Service and JAMB etc.

Many leaders all over the world seize the opportunities created by unusual twists of history to deepen their interaction with the public. We have seen Donald Trump, the American President, openly engage the media and the people.

Teresa May, British Prime Minister, was recently on a national radio chat with the British people. And to further clear the controversies over Brexit, she is about embarking on a nationwide tour to directly speak with the people. Such is the burden of leadership.

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So, the proposed televised phone-in program for President Buhari should not be seen simply from a negative partisan prism. Beyond satisfying the curiosity of the populace, it is obvious that, at the end of the day, President Buhari would also have much to gain from such direct, unfiltered interaction with Nigerians. Therefore, having regard, especially, to the widespread anxiety across the land, there cannot be a better time than now for such open engagement with the people.

I just hope President Buhari would see the compelling need to bridge the widening information gap between him and the Nigerian people.