7 factors that may work against Buhari in 2019 presidential election
Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, April 9 declared his intention to seek re-election in the 2019 general elections.
Some Nigerians have expressed their displeasure over the president’s re-election bid, while pro-Buharists have continued to garner supports for his second term ambition.
On the basis of the foregoing, Legit.ng highlights 7 reasons President Muhammadu Buhari may lose re-election in 2019.
1. Herdsmen attack
Nigeria has been battling with the crises between herdsmen and farmers before the present administration came on board, but with the antecedent of President Muhammadu Buhari, many believed that within the shortest pace of time, herdsmen attack across the country would be a thing of the past. But they were wrong as these crises linger on and many lives have been lost in it.
Amnesty International (AI), a global human rights watchdog, described the response of the federal government to communal violence as grossly inadequate, too slow, ineffective, and in certain instances, illegal.
AI claimed that in January 2018 alone, clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Ondo and Kaduna states, resulted in 168 deaths. According to the body, hundreds of people lost their lives in 2017 and the federal government remained unable to protect communities from the violent clashes, adding that perpetrators were daily getting away with murder.
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This reality is worrisome and Nigerians are tired of the killing by armed herdsmen. This and other factors will guide them to the poll in 2019.
2. Recession
In August 2016, Nigeria Nigeria slipped into recession. According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the second quarter of 2016 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by -2.06 per cent.
Many Economists attributed the recession to poor economic planning and inadequate concrete implementation of economic planning, high inflation rate; high interest rate, high taxation, and policy conflict.
Most significantly, it was attributed to the over dependent of Nigeria government on oil for over 60% of its total revenues and the country for over 90% of her foreign exchange earnings.
Nigerians were thrown into hardship during this period of recession as prices of commodities in the market skyrocketed.
Even though the NBS announced in September 2017 that Nigerian economy was out of recession, the people of Nigeria are yet to feel the difference between the period the country slipped into recession and when it emerged from recession.
3. Insecurity
Insecurity is one of the major problems bedeviling Nigeria. Killings, suic*de bombing and kidnapping have become the order of the day in Nigeria.
Many innocent lives have been lost to armed robbery and kidnapping, and the government has not been able to nip this menace in the bud, and many are asking if the government still remembers its constitutional function of protecting the lives and property of its citizens.
4. Religious issues
Nothing has so much divided Nigerians than religion. Many believe that religious crises are more political than religious.
The violence in Jos is an example of religious crisis that the country is plagued with. The crisis between Christians and Muslims has not been resolved yet, and many lives have been lost to this crisis.
Before President Buhari took over the mantle of leadership, the electorate had hoped that these and other problems facing the country would become history if he was elected to steer the ship of state.
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5. Party crisis
If the All Progressives Congress (APC) members can’t put their own house in order, who will? The internal crisis rocking the ruling party is an impediment which could mar the chance of the party in the 2019 general elections.
Although, President Muhammadu Buhari designated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve disagreements among party members, party leadership and political office holders in some states of the federation, but the crisis continues to deepen. If the APC leadership allows the crisis to hit a crescendo, then it should bid farewell to the presidency in 2019.
6. Unemployment
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate currently stands at 18.80 percent.
Year in year out the country is producing graduates that without producing employment opportunities. This and many other factors are responsible for different crimes that are plaguing us a nation.
Nigerian youths are angry because they are jobless, and an angry youth would only try to change the status quo, as was the case with President Goodluck Jonathan when angry Nigerians chased him out of power.
7. Perception of favouring the north in appointment
President Buhari is perceived by many to be nepotistic. Many have expressed their displeasure about the president’s appointments, saying that he favours the north at the detriment of others.
The president was accused by a Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed, of giving key positions to his cousins, nephews and in-laws.
Mohammed said: “First, the most influential person in the presidency today is one Mamman Daura whom as you know, is a nephew of the president.
“His father was Buhari’s elder brother. In addition, Mamman Daura was the one who single handedly brought up Abba Kyari, the current Chief of Staff to the President.
“In fact, Abba Kyari knows Mamman Daura more than he knows his own father. Next, the Personal Assistant to Buhari himself is the son of Mamman Daura, next is what they call SCOP, State Chief of Protocol, and is also a son-in-law to Mamman Daura because he is married to Mamman Daura’s daughter.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously highlighted 7 reasons President Muhammadu Buhari may win re-election in 2019.
One of the reasons is anti-Boko Haram operations. The promise to conquer the Boko Haram insurgency was one of the cardinal reasons why President Buhari was elected in 2015. Three years into his presidency, many will agree that the president is winning the anti-insurgency war.
Should President Buhari seek reelection in 2019? (Nigerian Street Interview) - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
