This report provides a systematic assessment of the performance of PMB and APC using 222 campaign promises made during the 2015 general elections as the benchmark. According to the findings of our assessment, the performance of the incumbent administration improved during their second year in government. This may be partly because the government began to implement
promises, having had time to prepare for outlined programmes and determine which resources are required. Furthermore, ministers who were not appointed until November 2015 began work in Year Two. However, the government’s approach needs to be holistic and not limited to fighting corruption, tackling insecurity and pursuing a diversification agenda. While these are important for the socioeconomic and political development of the country, commensurate effort should be made to revive education, health and other key sectors. In particular, government should consider looking into concerns about adherence to the rule of law in its prosecution of the war on corruption; build institutions with the capacity to prevent corrupt practices, including strengthening the capacity of the anti-graft agencies; and work closely with the National Assembly to develop legal frameworks that could advance the anti-corruption war in the country. In terms of fighting insecurity, the government appears to have begun to shift from the state and enemy-centric approach to an approach which uses dialogue and negotiation. While this may achieve laudable results in the case of the Niger Delta militancy, caution should be exercised in employing such a strategy to deal with Boko Haram.
Fundamentally, tackling the underlying root causes of the violent situation is essential. Translating Buhari’s plan into genuine development of the North East is paramount and should be given the
necessary attention it deserves.
