On November 9th 2016, the day after one of the biggest political upsets in recent American history, a march was called, urging all women to unite and make a statement. The march was in protest of the election results. It was to take place the day after the new president gets sworn in. On January 21st 2017, millions of women paraded the streets of various world cities protesting the election of big T. The solidarity was overwhelming and worthy of emulation.

So, it’s no surprise that on the first week of February 2017, 2Face Idibia, a popular Nigerian singer, announced his own march, which was meant to hold on February 6th. It was planned as a protest against the ineffective policies and bad governance that the nation was being subjected to. However, whether it was to preserve lives, or because he was threatened by the DSS, 2Face Idibia announced the cancellation of the March. But because water has passed garri, Nigerians, especially the youth, still showed up to march. Crowds formed on the streets of Lagos and Abuja to vent their anger and frustration at the current administration. After the march, the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, made a statement telling Nigerians that he had heard the message of the protesters. He said, “We hear you loud and clear.” Just one question though. Professor Osinbajo, “what did you hear?”

For many, especially southerners and Christians, Osinbajo was the “wonder boy” that made the APC 2015 ticket appealing. Osinbajo is a professor and a pastor, so no one feared he would Islamize the nation. Unlike our military General who has traits of dictatorship, the practicing lawyer is as civilian as they come. He was the majority’s hope for “it can’t be that bad.”

But, it has been that bad.

Since May 29th 2015, it’s been one disaster after another. And no, of course I didn’t expect Buhari and his team to work magic. I am aware of the systematic havoc the Goodluck administration overtly wreaked. However, I, and surely a good majority of Nigerians, expected the new government to accomplish at least one of the many things they promised us during their campaign. The thing is, while some might believe we expected too much, it is simply what we are owed since we gave the government a mandate to serve. I even expected a cabinet of experts with whom the president could collaborate to make Nigeria better. Apparently, that was also too much to expect. It’s one thing to be incompetent, own it and work with others to do better. It’s a different, unfortunate thing to be incompetent, and be none the wiser. Our president has unfortunately been the latter. Prof. Osinbajo had several opportunities to step up and justify the faith the Nigerian people had in him. But no, for the longest time, he was silent. Practically a nominal member of the administration, until recently.

Over a month after our president went away on a 10-day medical check up/vacation, Prof seems to be holding down the fort nicely. I can’t help but wonder what awakened this proactive version of him. Has he always been “capable?” Did the President’s command and control model of leadership – as per military background – naturally inhibit the VP from playing an active role? Or was it what he “heard” from the #IStandWithNigeria march that inspired him?

It’s obvious that we entered one chance with Buhari, and I’ve accepted it. Moving forward, we need to assess and understand where we’re going from here. In today’s Nigeria where the legislative arm of government is dominated by the ruling party, the current president didn’t even nominate the acting chief justice and where impeachment (like recession) is just a term, what lies ahead? Can Osinbajo be Nigeria’s redemption from the Buhari-ocracy and Buhari-nomics?

I won’t talk about the fact that President Buhari has not felt the need to address the Nigerian people while our tax money covers his medical expenses overseas. I won’t mention Femi Adesina’s claims that the president is hale and hearty yet, people are traveling to the United Kingdom just to see the Nigerian president. Maybe I will feel the need to analyse the phone call between our beloved president and the Kano state governor at a different time. I specifically will not ask for the name of the “tests that showed that the President needs a longer period of rest.” We’ll just sit and wait together for this administration’s next act since they’ve turned the running of our country into theatrics.

However, I will ask again… Prof Osinbajo, please what did you hear? If what you heard is the reason you’re now “working,” please tell us (and other politicians) let everyone hear too. Because, in the event that we see a repeat of the Yar’adua-Goodluck 2010 occurrence, that thing you heard can become essential to Nigeria’s journey to 2019 and beyond.

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