THE EXECUTIVE IN NIGERIA: FOCUS ON THE WANING PUBLIC TRUST IN THE BUHARI’S APC GOVERNMENT

Abstract

A study of the executive in Nigeria, especially at the instance of the post 2019 presidential election where the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (hereinafter APC) government transited to another four-year term is justified in that it contributes to an understanding of the character of the government in power. This is because the executive remains a superstructure that reflects the character of the society in which it operates. However, in Africa and Nigeria in particular, the executive does not reflect their respective societies. They are rather superimpositions on their societies they intend to transform. Recalling APC’s change mantra that enabled the party to win the 2015 presidential election vis-à-vis the in-between elections character and conduct of the Buhari-led APC Government; the change mantra was at best a smoke-screen that concealed the realities of the government. Thus, rather than the proclaimed change, it was a perpetuation of deeds similar to past governments in Nigeria. Little wonder, the party replaced the change mantra with ‘The Next Level Mantra’. This paper, relying on Public Trust and Confidence Theories as its theoretical handle, makes an assessment of public trust and confidence on the executive under President Buhari. The paper is dependent on secondary sources of information. The paper concludes that public trust and confidence of Nigerians on the Buhari led executive has greatly waned. This
Ayika: Journal of Environment and Politics in Africa Vol. 3, No 2, 2021
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conclusion is hinged on account that public institutions in Nigeria such as the INEC, the EFCC, security agencies and the judiciary has been observed as being most subservient to the ruling APC government vis-à-vis previous governments. The paper recommends that the Buhari/APC Government revert to the visions of the 2015 Change Mantra that enabled the party to clinch the 2015 presidential victory. Nigeria, Executive, Public Trust, Confidence, APC, PDP, Government