BUHARI’S MARATHON RACE By Rev. Chris Okotie Of the five ex-Heads of States, namely, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha and Olusegun Obasanjo, who attempted to return as civilian president, only Chief Obasanjo succeeded. Even in his own case, he had to be drafted against his wish by the powerful northern elite, to come and rescue a divided nation that was gravitating within the orbit of another civil war. Chief Obasanjo initially resisted this lofty offer by asking: “How many presidents do you want to make of me?” Well, history has answered that question - Three! His fellow Generals weren’t so lucky. Abacha’s transmutation agenda was truncated by sudden death. Generals Gowon and Babangida couldn’t scale through their parties primaries, while Buhari, the subject of this write-up did get his party’s ticket, but failed in all his three attempts. Buhari’s image makers project him as the “Mr. Clean” of Nigerian politics, but the truth is that there are many other Nigerians who served this country without penny pinching. One is not disputing the General’s moral credentials; he cannot run on that alone because such qualities are not exclusive to him. Many aspirants have solid reputations in that regard. Many of his critics dismiss what is perceived as this “holier-than–thou–attitude associated with him”. While he is respected by some people for his strong religious values and moral rectitude, Buhari ironically suffers from his identification with these noble traits because of his uncomplicated favour for his muslim faith. That is why his political enemies have projected him as a Hausa-Fulani irredentist and Islamic fundamentalist. They also point to his record as a Head of State who picked another Muslim, late Gen. Tunde Idiagbon as his deputy. And some of his draconian laws blight his democratic credentials. What hinders us sometimes is in us. Gen. Buhari himself mismanaged his huge social and political capital. He may have a good record as a former Military Governor and Minister of Petroleum Resources. But all of this may count for little unless he presents a realistic blueprint to get this country out of the ditch. His political capital was squandered by his indiscretion and ill-advised statements. The General is on record to have mocked democracy at one time; his draconian laws abridged the fundamental human rights of citizens, and whilst in power as military Head of State, he failed to set an agenda for a return of power to civilians. However, having become a “born again” democrat, many are still not comfortable with him as a would-be President. Buhari opened himself to enemy attack when he threatened in the aftermath of the last hugely flawed election, that the nation may be ungovernable. Regardless of whether he instigated the mayhem that followed that election or not, critics laid the blame on his doorstep. The lean, ascetic General may have good qualities and leadership experience under his belt, but his image problem is standing between him and Aso Rock where a ruthless cabal feared that if candidate Buhari wins the Presidency, they may not find life easy. With his success in teaming up with the ACN, ANPP and DPP in setting up the APC, he still has many rivers to cross before his supporters can shout hurray! It is not enough to be a “Mr. Clean” or a disciplinarian; good and imperative as these moral assets are, they by themselves can’t win elections, otherwise respected religious leaders should be the ones ruling most nations. You must win election first before you can govern, using those inherent leadership qualities to drive your agenda. Like someone said: Awolowo knew how to rule, but he wasn’t just able to put an election wining strategy together with all his cerebral qualities and administrative savvy which made his premiership of the defunct western region as a reference point till date. Then, a most crucial point that seems to be lost on pro - Buhari elements. There’s a world of difference between ruling as a military Head of State with combined executive and legislative powers in your grip, and as civilian president with only executive powers that are checkmated by an independent legislature. Buhari’s main selling point is his anti-corruption image; he’d find that under a wholly corrupt, dysfunctional polity, one man may not be able to do much. Moreover, there are serious structural problems in our federation, in our outdated legal system; our fiscal management and political culture that must be dealt with to engender good governance. Again, how effective will a man in his ‘70s be in power when confronted by the stark reality of a failing state? The General certainly is in the last lap of his political career and having openly announced his decision never to run for President again after the 2011 elections, he’d suffer some moral deficit if his nomination tears the APC apart, as younger aspirants would blame him for failing to stand by his word. Besides, if he can reverse himself on an issue as crucial as this, how is he different from PDP leaders who say one thing and do another? Moreover, anyone seeking a Pan - Nigerian mandate will have to act fast to fix all the fault lines, to be able to make the difference as a President of the republic. Perhaps, Gen Buhari may need to consult his former boss; Chief Obasanjo who has already become what the tall, APC leader is trying to become - a former military ruler and civilian President, notwithstanding the cold fact that they are in opposing camps. Why? Experience is the best teacher, and OBJ has it aplenty. Finally, Buhari’s legendary rigidity is another major liability. He continues to inspire fear rather than love. Machiavelli might have said, “it is better to be feared than loved.” That may have been true in the middle ages but not in this interest age when image is appreciated more than substance. Otherwise what would Jonathan be doing in Aso Rock? Not running would have enhanced the integrity of the merger of APC that he and others midwife. But nobody can deny him the right to contest if so he desires. Rev Chris Okotie, a Pasto-Politician wrote from Lagos
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 18:11:09 +0000