Capital MattersDuro OnabuleFemi AdesinaFrankTalkFunke EgbemodeInsightsKalu Leadership SeriesOffside MusingsPressClipsPublic SphereRalph EgbuSideviewThe Flipside – Eric OsagieTurf GameViews from Abroad You are at:Home»Politics»Buhari: The politics of religion Buhari: The politics of religion 0 By Our Reporter on December 1, 2014 Politics BY TAM DAVID-WEST Every Nigerian to the last person agrees that the greatest impediment to our quest for robust national growth and development (economic or political) as well as needed progress is bad leadership. The main existential ingredients of which are: Corruption, lack of integrity, lack of principle, indiscipline, unreliability, visionlessness, and power intoxication. Furthermore, all these undesirables are even compounded with arrogance of power manifest in reckless and careless impunity in exercising power, with the power elite or leadership being deluded into baselessly believing in its invincibility. The great Chinua Achebe in his famous work, “The Trouble With Nigeria” was unequivocal in identifying bad leadership as central to all our national problems. Things seem not to have changed over time. Writer (or analyst) after writer still see bad leadership as our major problem. For instance, one of our leading writers, Steve Nwosu, ‘celebrated’ our 54th year independence anniversary with his beautiful, “At 54, leadership remains our key challenge” (Daily SUN October, 01, 2014 back page). Chiedu Uche Okoye; in a similar vein also wrote “Nigeria at 54: The Journey So Far.” (Daily SUN October 01, 2014 page 21). He submitted (and I totally go along): “Nigeria has the potential to become an economically and technologically advanced country, but inept and corrupt political leadership stands on our way to development…our leaders perceive leadership as an opportunity to amass wealth by corrupt means.” Corruption, that ugly monster; militating against our national growth, development and progress has become such an integral part of our national ethos that one of Nigeria’s most distinguished sons, Alhaji Shehu Musa, scholar, intellectual and administrator (he was once Secretary to the Federal Government and Head of Service) bemoaned: “In Nigeria, it is not just that officials are corrupt, but that corruption is official. It is more so both in public and private sector. Anybody who does not do so is seen as a fool.” (This Day Sunday October 05, 1997 page 11 column 4 last paragraph). No wonder Transparency International couple of years ago rated us among three “most corrupt” countries in the world. Indeed, corruption has become so “official,” and as such defines our national character that Nigeria is the only country in the world, which shamelessly makes provisions for corruption in our annual national budget. For instance, it has been established by many well meaning Nigerians that the so-called much orchestrated petroleum subsidy does not exist. It is all fraud against the state benefiting few corrupt unpatriotic Nigerians. General Muhammadu Buhari, who was once in charge of the nation’s petroleum enterprise has stated, nay asserted, repeatedly that the said petroleum subsidy does not exist. It is fraud. Gani Fawehinmi (late) even published a monograph on this fraudulent practice. A professor of Petroleum Studies also published articles to buttress this. On my part, I also wrote similar articles; and also spoke publicly in rallies or lectures on this petroleum subsidy fraud. Furthermore, the government has also confirmed this monumental fraud through its probe or investigation panels. However, in spite of all these, the same government goes ahead to make annual budgetary provisions in trillions of Naira for ‘petroleum subsidy.’ Corruption exists in Nigeria because the system we operate encourages as well as condones corruption. Corrupt public thieves are even sometimes decorated with National Honours. We compose songs to honour corrupt persons. We dance and wine with them. A country where the president unabashedly asserts with curious audacity that stealing is different from corruption cannot be serious. However, corruption will stop when correct and knowledgeable leadership emerges to face it head on. It can be done. Yes. All we need is good and clean leaders. “My dear people, corruption remains a big challenge in our national life. It corrodes our efforts at development and at motivating competence in critical sectors of our economy.” (President Jonathan’s Declaration Speech November 11, 2014). In the light of the above, one is forced to observe, nay acknowledge, a saddening paradox in our aversion and verbalized fight against corruption. We tend to be curiously ambivalent. For instance, we are unquestionably against corruption and its detrimental effects on our national development, growth and progress. But we also tend to be scared of leaders who are generally adjudged to be uncorrupt, disciplined and of impeccable integrity. And such leaders are the ones that can seriously combat corruption head on and capitulate it so that we can have or enjoy a refreshing breath of life in the national economy, for the great majority of the public – greatest happiness for the greatest number. This naturally brings me to what I call, the ‘Buhari Phenomenon.’ All sincere and serious-minded Nigerians agree that General Muhammadu Buhari is NOT corrupt. Incorruptible. Disciplined. Patriotic. Man of impeccable integrity. His detractors or traducers, even the rabid ones have failed woefully over the years to put any stain on his integrity or claim to incorruptibility. He has over time also personally challenged his traducers or detractors to prove him wrong. This was not a parade of self-righteousness but justified solid self-confidence. An “extra-ordinary Nigerian!” (General Abdulsalami Abubakar). Suffice it to say that none of them was bold enough or confident enough to pick up the gauntlet. They chickened out, lily livered. This is clearly because they know all too well that they cannot counter his impeccable records on integrity and or non-corruption and honesty. Buhari’s words and actions are never divergent. He is a man of his words. Like Oliver Goldsmith, Buhari believes that we can preach better sermons with our lives than with our lips. Leadership by personal examples! “A good example is the best sermon.” (Fuller). Alexander Pope is correct that “An honest man is the noblest work of God.” Buhari has popularly earned the sobriquet, ‘Mai gaskiya,’ Hausa, meaning an ‘honest man.’ Most justified. General Buhari’s integrity, discipline, ability and capability as a person and also as a leader have been publicly and independently acknowledged by many (even from most unlikely sources): General Obasanjo, General Yar’Adua, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, even Asari Dokubo, President Jonathan’s foremost megaphone; (not necessarily with much content) among many others. I have over time assembled over 20 of such refreshing testimonies. Let me use selected very few: “Major General Muhammadu Buhari, an extra-ordinary Nigerian, matched only by few in integrity and readiness to subject himself to the demands of public office…..abiding concern for the fate and welfare of the people of this great country.” (General Abdusalami Abubakar). The Forward to the book, “Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari?” “General Muhammadu Buhari is a man of principle and moral absolutes who has made a name for probity and integrity. By all standards, Buhari has proved an extra-ordinary Nigerian in and out of uniform.” (General Abdusalami Abubakar). “Nigeria in its current dire straits needs Buhari more than he needs Nigeria.” Femi Orebe (The Nation on Sunday September 28, 2014 page 18). I totally go along with Mr. Orebe. General Buhari as president is coming to solely serve the nation for the sake of noble service to country. He is not going to loot. He did not ever stain himself in such corruption even as a much younger person in spite of being responsible for important ‘juicy’ national assignments: Commissioner (Minister) of Petroleum Resources. Executive Chairman Petroleum Special Task Force. Military Governor, North-Eastern State; the largest state in the Federation. It is now carved out into six states: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Gongola, Taraba and Gombe.” At 73 in 2015 as president, Buhari will be solely interested in turning things round for the better for the country, greatest happiness for the greatest number in every aspect of the national economy. Nigeria will be his sole focus. He will empty self of self; selfless service. I put my honour on this. And I am optimistic I will be richly vindicated. “General Buhari is known all over the country as a decent untainted person.” Femi Orebe (The Nation on Sunday October 26, 2014 page 16). For 2015, I make bold to assert (with documented evidence) that none of the other aspirants for the Presidency can match Buhari on integrity, non-corruption, discipline and selfless service. He is the poorest aspirant to the presidency. A national daily in 2007 also rated him a “shallow purse” on a scale of deep purse and medium purse. Furthermore, none of them can match him on the question of patriotism. As a military man, he put his very life on line to fight to keep Nigeria one country. Let me be specific. Buhari performed outstandingly in the crucial ‘Ogoja Battles’ of the Civil War. He was Battalion Commander; and later Brigade Major and Commander of the famous 4th Infantry Brigade, Second Sector 1st Division of the Nigerian Army. The capture of Ogoja was decisive to the Federal victory (Major-General Alexander A. Madiebo in his (The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War Chapter 7). Another testimony of Buhari’s outstanding patriotism was when a neighbouring country invaded and occupied parts of Nigeria during President Shehu Shagari’s administration. Buhari counter attacked, drove out the invading foreign army in a devastating defeat. He gave them “bloody nose” (his very words) before he saw the Commander-in-Chief’s signal to “hankali hankali.” Great for Nigeria! Great for all Nigerians. He made us proud; very proud. It could therefore be argued that, that President Jonathan is president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today is partly (in fact largely) because of Buhari’s (and colleagues) military successes. More tributes and testimonies: Buhari “A first class officer, very brave, but very calm, even under pressure; absolutely calm, he has first class discipline and integrity and tends to insist on such qualities in his subordinates both officers and men to measure up to his own stands – General Martin Adamu (In: “Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria’s Seventh Head of State” page 84). Buhari, “he was as reliable as he was hard working” (General Obasanjo In: “Not My Will” page 153/154). Asari Dokubo, “I prefer Buhari” (Today’s Top News January 26 – February 1, 2005 Front page). Asari Dokubo dismissed both Obasanjo and Atiku for the 2007 presidential election. He believed that Buhari is better than both of them. The reasons (Buhari’s defining qualities) for this conclusion are still as solid as they were then. It is, therefore, a most unfortunate paradox that the very widely acknowledged positive sterling qualities of General Buhari, as a good leader (President), who can turn things round for the better for Nigeria are the same defining qualities that his detractors and traducers in concert have over time in their convenient spins, distortions and disinformation orchestrated in their campaign of calumny against him in his bid for the Presidency through democratic means. This type of paradox is addressed in my Essay: “Disqualifying Virtues” (Weekend Concord 07 October 2000 page 18). The gang of Buhari phobics, I accept, has constitutional right to dislike him just as we, his admirers, also enjoy our constitutional right to be so disposed. However, for the phobics and the admirers, it is moral imperative to be honest and truthful. Facts not fiction. Truthfulness not fabrications in articulating our position with the public. We should also be honourable. It seems an uneven battle. For instance, the anti-Buhari has handsome sources of money to buy pages of the print media. Their sponsors also splash them generously with Naira (mostly looted) to attack Buhari. But refreshingly, lies must eventually collapse face to face with facts. Some of these attacks on Buhari were so satanic and empty of serious contribution. For instance, Adebayo Williams described one of Wole Soyinka’s anti-Buhari philippics as “dripping with venom and vitriol” (The Nation 21 January, 2007). Must we descend so low? It proves nothing. Must we allow our obsessional mindset to fly out of decency? My attention was called recently to a repeat publication, as advert, of Wole Soyinka’s long anti-Buhari discourse presumptuously titled “General Buhari versus Nigeria.” Presumptuous, because Soyinka cannot equate with Nigeria. He is not even selected by Nigerians to be their spokesman. I will very much like to believe that Wole Soyinka was not playing Louis XIV of France, who vaunted that he is the state of France itself. “Wole Soyinka versus Buhari” or “General Buhari versus Wole Soyinka,” I think it is patently more appropriate because all the views expressed are Soyinka’s – his natural and constitutional right. And I respect this even though I am completely against them with good cogent reasons. Another vitriolic philippic against Buhari was as usual pompously and presumptuously titled, “The Nigerian Nation Against Buhari.” World Press Conference! Haba, Wole. Because the anti-Buhari are handsomely financed, the Soyinka’s piece on Buhari published in 2007 was re-run as full page advert in The Guardian October 19, 2014 page 40. It is significant and instructive that Chief Duro Onabule’s well-researched, detailed incisive rejoinder, “If General Obasanjo, Why Not General Buhari?” (Daily SUN 26 January, 2007 page 7) was not referenced. Chief Onabule, with detailed references to history and literature completely made nonsense of Soyinka’s treatise. The Onabule’s counter-essay is published in my “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari” page 109-121. Courtesy Chief Onabule and The Sun Publishing Limited. One of the best rejoinders I have ever read in scholarship, maturity and thoroughness. The Buhari phobics also acknowledge his defining sterling qualities of impeccable integrity and discipline, which place him much above all his contemporaries. However, because of their obsessional aversion purely for personal reasons (even though they pretend that their object is for the general good). Lie! They spin lies about him. They distort, disinform, misinform and manipulate to divert the unsuspecting public from the outstanding credentials of Buhari. Their first ploy was to list a number of so-called sins or misdeeds of Buhari. But they are all blatant lies. These bunch or gang of anti-Buhari lie with audacious impunity! Some of them with great learning and intellectual decorations, relying on their silver tongue calculate that the public will follow them as the pipe piper of Hamelin to crucify Buhari in spite of their lies about him. They seem to forget in spite of their great learning that truth, like cork cannot sink. It can’t be sunk. Never. Never. Furthermore “Truth, crushed to the ground shall rise again.” (Bryant). “Truth is immortal, error is mortal.” (Mary Baker). I, sometimes feel some rather strange pity for these anti-Buhari liars, especially when one of them once even publicly lied about the class of his first degree and also the institution. I disciplined myself, in spite of him, not to reach out to his jugular. Many of my friends agreed with me. Matter closed for now at least. In my 151-page “The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari” I exposed and also debunked with copious evidence and documents all the so-called concocted ‘sins’ of Buhari: “N2.8 billion” poppycock. “53 suitcases” tommyrot. “PTF” nonsense. “Ooni of Ife-Emir of Kano” rubbish. “Siege of Chief Awolowo’s house” disinformation, etc. etc. etc. All heaps of monstrous lies. I challenged the anti-Buhari to a public debate. I am still waiting even after two years. Let the public judge. Having failed in the above ploy on lies against Buhari, they decided to try two other diversions to administer their hidden personal obsessional hate. The first was that at 73 in 2015 he will be too old for the Presidency. Untenable. My “Buhari: The Politics of Age” (Daily SUN October 14, 2014 back page) once again knocked them out – not “TKO” real “KO”). I gave a list of 15 Presidents/Heads of State both Africans and not of Africa much older than Buhari. The case of Robert Michael Mugabe was left out by the printers’ devil. President Mugabe is 90 years, 2014. He has only recently won another landslide election for six years tenure. This means that he will still be president of Zimbabwe at age 96. He could be father of Buhari. The next on this sterile age tommyrot is the case of Nana Akuffo Ado, leader of Ghana’s Opposition Party, New Patriotic Party. He is 70 yet his party continues to elect him as its presidential candidate for the third time. I must once again appreciate my adored friend, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla for assistance. Now, having failed woefully in their campaign of calumny with their lies, concoctions, distortions, misinformation and disinformation these shameless lazy to research bunch of Buhari phobics have resorted to the Religious Question as the next red herring to divert attention from General Buhari’s unassailable credentials for leadership (The Presidency) – zero-tolerance for corruption. Disciplined. Focused. Impeccable integrity. They have conveniently avoided these imperatives of good leadership in their philippics; very instructive indeed. Even President Jonathan in his recent address at his Declaration for a shot again for The Presidency in 2015 was unequivocal that “Corruption remains a big challenge in our national life. It corrodes our efforts at development….” He implicitly admitted failure or incapability to combat and destroy corruption. He knows, just as many Nigerians that he cannot contest the moral turf with Buhari. On the: Religious Question or the Politics of Religion the anti-Buhari resort to the following ploys: First, Buhari is a Fundamentalist Muslim. Secondly, he hopes to have a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the Presidency in 2015. Thirdly, he will Islamise Nigeria. Fourthly, APC, his party, is a Muslim (Islam party). Let me say right away, before I address the specifics, that all of these charges like the ones before are arrant nonsense, tommyrot, poppycock. Heap of rubbish! I believe that any serious minded and responsible Nigerian should see them as such. No shred or even atom of fact (truth) to substantiate these reckless charges borne out of frustration and desperation. Islamic Fundamentalism The anti-Buhari in their haste to paint him dark confused Religious Fundamentalism with Religious Extremism. The former is in fact complimentary. Fundamentalism: the practice of following very strictly the basic rules and teachings of any religion (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary New 7th Edition 2006). The Buhari traducers are so rabid with hate they refused to listen to his refutals and evidences to prove them wrong. For instance, “I am not a religious fundamentalist. The question of being an Ayatollah and a fundamentalist does not even arise. People are being dishonest. Nigerian politics! Give a dog a bad name and hang him. “I commanded units, formation from platoon to division, including UNO. And most of my staff officers were Christians. I have challenged you, the press several times, go and find out whether I have ever treated anybody differently either because of different religion unfairly or different tribe. And I have gone through all the positions. I was governor of a state that is now six states. I was petroleum minister. I was Head of State and I have never been accused for intimidating anybody on tribal or religious basis” (Saturday SUN 03 July, 2004 page 5). It was a detailed, incisive, probing interview by one of our serious and best journalists, Eric Osagie. “I am not a religious fanatic” – Buhari (Sunday PUNCH 26 October, 2014. Front page promotion and page 5). APC Islam (Muslim) Party Once again because of their laziness to do reasonable research, the anti-Buhari lied again. Some of them apparently believe that their social status, great learning and decorations for achievement are in themselves adequate to sanctify any lie they conveniently feed society. Wrong. Suicidal. Falsehood cannot reign for ever or even for long. The facts: National Chairman of APC, Christian. Of the two national Deputy Chairmen, one is a Muslim, the other, Christian. APC has six National Vice-Chairmen representing the six geopolitical zones. Four are Christians. The one for the North East (Christian) was personally sponsored by Buhari himself. For PDP, the National Chairman is Muslim. Its National Organising Secretary is Muslim, National Vice-Chairmen two Muslims, two Christians. From the above facts, which party, APC or PDP is more Muslim in its organogram? Section 10 of the Constitution Prohibition of state religion clearly makes it difficult to Islamize or Christianize Nigeria. Any major change of the Constitution can only be possible if 24 states (2/3 of 36) Houses of Assembly approve. Now, of the 36 states we have 19 (North) and 17 (South). Furthermore, since Independence we have had 14 Heads of State: 8 Muslim; 6 Christians. If we add Zik it will be 15: 8 Muslims, 7 Christians. Shonekan is also added without prejudice. No Head of State/Government can Islamize Nigeria or Christianize Nigeria. Such speculations are necessarily empty or sterile. Convenient political red herring. Stupid. Our problem is neither from Mecca nor from Rome. Nigeria’s problems are Nigerians themselves. Simpliciter. When Babangida (not Buhari) surreptitiously wanted to smuggle Nigeria into OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) the heat of protest was so much he, the Army General dictator, was forced to pipe down. His political father, Sultan Dasuki, the Supreme Head of Nigerian Muslims was unable to save him (Ref. Daily SUN editorial 21 June 2005 page 8). Buhari: Liberal (open-minded) on religion (Personal Staff) Confidential Secretary/Principal Private Secretary, Christian. 3 Cooks, Christians. No 2 Security, Christian. No. 2 Driver, Christian. They have been with him for years. A passing word on General Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari’s No. 2. Idiagbon’s wife, a born-again Christian. Senator Isiak Ajimobi, Oyo State Governor’s wife, Florence is a Christian. Governor Fashola’s wife, Christian. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s wife, Christian. The other day, one professional re-cycling sycophant. No abiding principle. Questioned integrity. No pedigree of democracy; stated that Buhari chose another Muslim, Idiagbon, as his No. 2. Stupid. Pathetic ignorance from a vaunted self-styled intellectual! To be continued
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 09:25:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015