Sani Danaudi Mohammed
The recent apology by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria HE.Muhammad Buhari GCFR is been greeted with mix reactions by Nigerians. This is coming in less than a month for the expiration of his tenure on May 29th when he may have completed his eight years tenure.
The President assertions that he is a lucky and fulfilled politician, having served as military Governor of Borno State in 1976, Minister of Petroleum Resources in the same year and one-time Head of State (1983 – 1985) is true. He appreciated Nigerians for tolerating his eight-year tenure that came with intricacies and shortcomings beyond the expectations of Nigerians.
Before the recent apology accredited to Mr President,The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,said Nigerians will yearn for President Muhammadu Buhari when he leaves office. The President said, those that think that he have hurt them so much, they should please pardon him.
The 2023 Eid fitr Sallah homage at the State House by the high and mighty marks the beginning of the President's last days in Office. It was a moment of Joy for him having to have his dream fulfilled after three trials in 2003,2007 and 2011 before gotten at fourth attempt. It was a very good coincidence for him to say goodbye to the citizens and thank them for tolerating him for more than seven and a half years.
The President's Parting words has now left Many Nigerians in tears and with notions that everything that has a beginning has definitely have an end. It is just like yesterday when he made his resounding,emotional and touching inaugural speech that became then a subject of global political conversations.
I belong to everybody and belong to nobody was his Statements that redirected thinking of the citizens on his first inaugural address to the nation. It was a clear message on the direction of his Presidency that came to address mainly the Economy, Insecurity and Corruption in the system. Today, it is eight Years down the lane, Nigerians are now left to judge whether or not the President will be miss.
Those who shared the opinion that the President will be miss are banging on his achievements like the Rail lines, huge investment in Infrastructures, Modernization of the nation Airports, Combating Insecurity in the North East, Anchor borrowers,trader mini, Npower, Reconstruction and construction of some of our highways like Kano-Maiduguri, Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Lagos-Ibadan and the Second Niger Bridge among others.
Still on Forgiveness, Nigeria is a religious Country. We must show the Almighty God in actions and in practicing our religion that we meant what we pray. The scripts in the Holy Qur'an and the Bible all emphasized the need of forgiven another and Buhari's apology is directly connected to the doctrines of these two dominant religions. One of his obligations as a devoted Muslim is fasting the holy month of Ramadan that preaches love and forgiveness. His actions coming at the end of this holy Month is a replica of the teachings of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.
The prophet is an embodiment of such values of love and forgiveness which he demonstrated this pinnacle of clemency when he forgave Wahshi, The criminal who murdered and mutilated his uncle Hamza.At that time, the following Quranic verse was revealed: Oh My Devotees, who have committed excesses against their own selves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Surely, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed He is the most Forgiving, the Merciful’ (Quran 39:53).
However,the idea of forgiveness has been cited in Many chapters in the Bible,Be kind and be compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Mathew Chap.6:14).
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7 ). The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. This is why the President deserves more than just our forgiveness as Nigerians who are either Majority Muslims or Christians(Daniel 9:9).
Human beings are all fallible and make mistakes. Some of these mistakes are trivial, while others are serious and even fatal. How can we best cope with our fallibility? we must recognize and accept our fallibility as inevitable. We must treat our mistakes with acknowledgment and apology, not denial and cover-up. We must analyze our mistakes, in order to avoid repeating them.Fallibility is an inherent part of the human condition and we must not be ashamed of our humanity.On this part,Buhari has demonstrated high commitment in this regards.
The explosion of policies of forgiveness by Buhari, Ganduje of Kano and Dickson Ishaku is an illustrated and by the wave of official apologies for past wrongs, suggesting that forgiveness is an accepted political project in post-Conflict societies like Nigeria.This shows that unless and until both the Citizens and the Political leaders develop the habit of forgiven one another, the future will not be bright for the next generations. Our inability to forgive each other are of the reasons why most of Societies are in Conflicts with each other.
To crown it all,our politicians must grow beyond the edges of seeking forgiveness alone to ensuring that they discharge their responsibilities honestly and diligently according the Constitutional provisions. Nigerian will not continue to live in excuse but will want to see reforms that are directed towards improving the lives of the common man from the North down to the South under the of Tinubu/Shetima Presidency.
Buhari may have his shortcomings but he will be remember for his morality and integrity. He is the most Moral political leader after the first Republic Servants despite the hitches recorded under his watch. The most important thing to take into account into the whole of this conversation is that,to forgive is divine to err is going by this whole narratives, Nigerians have no excuse not to forgive those who hurts them including President Muhammadu Buhari.
To me, I have forgiven him and his apology is accepted, kindly forgive me in return Mr President.
Danaudi, National President of Arewa Youths Advocate for Peace and Unity Initiative Writes from Bauchi via danaudicomrade@gmail.com
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