■ On the president’s style and men
(Chidi Obineche, Julian-Taiwo Obalonye, ABUJA)
THROUGH the ages, from the time of Moses, every leader has a peculiar style. President Muhammadu Buhari’s penchant for taciturnity in overseeing crucial issues of state is the hallmark of his style. He obviously is a student of Robert Greene’s 48 laws of power, which has a section that prescribes the use of few words in order to remain in control. “The more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open –ended, and sphinx like. Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish.” In keeping faith with this spirit, he has left pronouncements on sensitive issues to his media aides, except when prodded by foreign newshounds abroad, or in a nationwide address or parley. Even at that, his words are few and often open-ended. Louis XIV of France deployed this style to great effect to sustain power, kept those around him terrified and under his thumb. It was one of the foundations of his power. As Saint Simon wrote, “ No one knew as well as he, how to sell his words, his smile, even his glances. Everything in him was valuable because he created differences, and his majesty was enhanced by the sparseness of his words.” Loius XIV’s most famous statement, which may have found expression in Aso Rock is “L’etat, c’est moi” (“I am the state”); nothing could be more pithy, yet more eloquent. His infamous “I shall see” was one of several extremely short phrases that he would apply to all manner of requests. In security circles, the service chiefs today hardly act on anything no matter how exigent unless they receive express directives from the president. This style has fuelled and orchestrated the notion of “command and control,” which many people including former minister of education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, insist is behind the nation’s economic and socio-political crises.
The president has also been steadying the ship of state by keeping his hands clean. With the perception of a spotless appearance, that his hands are not soiled by mistakes and nasty deals, the people have adapted and accepted the crushing economic difficulties they have had to contend with since his assumption of power. This explains why fuel shortages will linger for eight months and uncharacteristically the people will not protest. This is why the prevailing high cost of living and economic recession are not resisted.
The president’s men
Prior to his moving into the Presidential Villa from the Defence House, Maitama three weeks after taking the oath of office, President Muhammadu Buhari had retained a coterie of friends and confidants who with him plotted the graph and palate of his administration. Some of these trusted allies that included Col Hameed Ali (Customs boss) and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau have since been replaced by new reverential associates, although their influence can still be felt now and again.
In between the many meetings of state and other official functions, the president normally finds time to play court to these trusted associates and allies.
They range from the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir David Lawal, a select crop of ministers, to some bosom friends.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo might not be a childhood friend of the president but as the number two citizen of the country, everything that has to do with the nation’s economy rests on his shoulders.
The president trusts the vice president enough to hand over the running of the economy to him. He is solely responsible for the economy. He presides over all economic matters, initiating and coordinating economic policies implemented by the administration apart from his constitutional role as the chairman of the National Economic Council, NEC. This style was also evident in Buhari’s first coming as a military leader between 1983 and 1985, when he left the bulk of the running of the state to his second-in-command, the late General Tunde Idiagbon.
The vice president interacts with the private sector more than the president and holds various meetings with them. He also represents the president in most local and a few foreign engagements.
The president seems to have limited himself to dealing with foreign leaders, visiting foreign delegations, meeting groups where necessary, and meeting party leaders and other sundry issues concerning his party.
On November 2015, during the swearing-in of ministers, President Buhari had told them expressly that there would be no need for them to deal with him directly but to go through the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari, except when the issues at stake absolutely requires his personal attention.
Kyari from Borno State, is a lawyer, banker, sociologist and a former editor, and he is also a childhood friend and a trusted ally of President Buhari. In this administration, the office of the Chief of Staff is held in great awe and respect.
It is the clearing house for all correspondences and requests for appointments. So, unless the chief of staff approves, nobody sees the president, no letter meant for the number one citizen gets to him, nothing goes further than his office if he so desires.
He determines who sees the president or what gets to the president, except the president makes specific demands to see somebody.
Being a trusted childhood friend of the president, also contributes to the enormous powers and influence Kyari wields. He is being courted by all and sundry including ministers, governors, State House functionaries and other dignitaries. Half of the time, people are seen milling around him, seeking one favour or the other. He fixes and cancels appointments as he is freely disposed to.
Another man of power and influence in the Villa, is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Babachir David Lawal, who is another trusted ally and old friend of the president.
The secretary to the government is responsible for ensuring the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies and programmes for the overall development of Nigeria.
He also serves as secretary to the council of state, the federal executive council and other constitutional councils, which are chaired by the president.
His duties are over 15, hence it is no surprise that the SGF whose office is outside is always in the Villa with files needing the president’s attention.
Another of Buhari’s men that makes things happen is Mallam Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure, the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP).
Kazaure, a career foreign service official, before now served in Aso Rock Villa as a special assistant (Presidential Matters).
In conjunction with relevant persons and offices, he plans and executes detailed programs for foreign leaders visiting the president.
He accompanies the president on all official visits abroad, coordinates planning with the State House advance office, and makes arrangements for, and accompanies delegations on foreign trips, among others.
The president’s brother and friend, Mamman Daura, has a larger than life image at the Villa. He is believed to be the most influential individual outside government. He travels with the president on all his foreign trips and the president is believed to take his opinions seriously.
The new kids on the bloc among the ministers, who are having a free rein with the president, are Rotimi Amaechi, (Transport) and Babatunde Fashola, (Power, Works and Housing). Their power and influence are not surprising considering the role they played in his election as major financiers and part of his think-tank.
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu are believed to have the president’s ears too. As his close friends and allies dating back to their days in the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, their friendship and closeness have in the last one year blossomed to unprecedented levels. Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai is also the president’s close associate and member of his think- tank. Indeed, a few have dubbed him his “Man Friday”, because of the free access he enjoys with the president and the hold his views have on him. These henchmen of the president understand the language and nuances of his government more than others. They drive the policies and more than that serve as the beacon and engine room of the administration.