The idea of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) was first proposed by General Buhari in early 1984. He had grown increasingly frustrated with the rampant corruption and inefficiency in the country, and had sought to combat it by creating a disciplinary framework.
He argued that the lack of discipline was a major factor in the economic stagnation of the country. He proposed a number of measures to tackle this problem, including the establishment of mobile courts, the public flogging of convicted offenders, and the launch of a nationwide campaign against hoarding, profiteering and bribery.
The WAI campaign was launched in July 1984 with a nationwide publicity campaign. This campaign included television and radio advertisements, posters, and leaflets distributed in public places. The campaign also featured the slogan “Discipline and Order are the Foundation of National Greatness”, which became one of the most popular slogans of the WAI campaign.
The campaign itself was divided into several components. The first was the establishment of mobile courts. This was done to ensure that offenders could be dealt with quickly and effectively. The mobile courts were given the authority to pass sentences ranging from fines to imprisonment.
The second component was the public flogging of convicted offenders. This was done in order to make an example of offenders and to instill a sense of discipline among the general population. The third component was the launch of a nationwide campaign against hoarding, profiteering and bribery. This campaign involved public rallies, radio and television campaigns, and the mass distribution of leaflets.
The results of the WAI campaign were mixed. On the one hand, it was credited with generating a greater sense of national pride and patriotism. On the other hand, it was criticized for its harsh punishments and for its lack of proper judicial procedures. In addition, the campaign was seen by some as a way for General Buhari to consolidate his power and to suppress dissent. Despite the criticism, the WAI campaign is still remembered as one of the most successful initiatives of General Buhari’s government.
It may not have been successful in eliminating corruption or bureaucratic inefficiency, but it did succeed in creating a sense of discipline in the country. In the years since the WAI campaign, Nigeria has seen a significant improvement in its economic indicators, and its citizens have become more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
The WAI campaign may not have been perfect, but it can still be seen as an important step in the long process of nation-building in Nigeria.
This is one of the things Nigerians saw that made them vote for him in 2015 unfortunately he has not been able to replicate the feat. Although many people argue that he was unable to perform due to the absence of General Tunde Idiagbon who many believed was the enforcer and back bone of his government during the military regime.