2015: GEJ and Buhari In The Shadow Hunting Politics!

As the 2015 general elections draw closer, I find it pertinent to share my view on the Presidential flag bearer of the APC Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

With just few weeks to the elections and the political sphere getting heated up with the usual mania which the political class of our Country is known for, as they tussle and scuffle to get victory at the polls.

What baffles me is the pure show of fear by the opposition (PDP) as they cede to the use of cheap blackmail and unfounded propaganda with the aim to create a flawed and faulty picture of the APC candidate in the minds of the unaware electorate.

The overall goal they (PDP) intend to achieve is to discredit the candidacy and legitimacy of General Muhammadu Buhari.

Inability to remember phone number (ridiculous), Sponsoring of insurgency, Lack of standard education (according to them), Gender Discrimination, Religious dogmatism, Tribalism, this and many other filthy and unreasonable allegations are the wheels on which the opposition is riding to clout the minds of the seemingly unseeing voters.

For many who are curious if Gen Buhari truly does not have the required educational qualification to contest for presidency, let me dive a little into the background of this man Buhari.

Gen Buhari was born in Daura, Katsina State, the 13th and last child of his mother Zulaihat and also the 23rd and last child of his father Adamu. Buhari was raised by his mother having lost father at an early age of 4years.

Gen Buhari was enrolled at the Central Primary School, Daura at the age six and in 1956 he continued to the Katsina Provisional Secondary School (which is now known as Government College Katsina). Some of his classmates at the college were: Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Late), Mallam Muktari Zango, Alhaji Fathu Abdulahi.

 

Testimonies from his mates revealed he was a dedicated and exemplary student. The late Gen Musa Ya’Ardua described him as “One of the few boys in the school trusted by his classmates, and quite dependable”.

1962 marked his enrolment into the Nigerian Military which he started at  Nigerian Military Training College, Katsina. He went for various training ranging from Young Officers Course, Mons Officers Cadet School, United Kingdom.

In January 1963, Buhari was Commissioned as Second Lieutenant and appointed as Platoon Commander to the Second Infantry Battallion in Abeokuta, Ogun State.  He rose in ranks and during the civil war he was the Brigade Major of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, and commander 31st Infantry Brigade.

On December 31, 1983 he became the Military Head of State of Nigeria. His stay in office lasted till August 27, 1985 when he was overthrown by Gen Ibrahim Babaginda through coup.

His government was popularly known as BUHARISM. He was known for his strong stand against Corruption and Malpractices. Which is one key attribute our Nigeria of today needs and the current government has continuously failed to deliver.

After the end to his military reign, Gen Buhari served under the Gen. Sani Abacha regime as the Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). The body was funded through revenue generated from the increase in price of petroleum products with the aim to increase developmental projects across the country. 

A report in the New African Journal in 1998 lauded the PTF under Buhari leadership as transparent, tagging it a “Rare Success Story”.

The problem facing our country today is not the ambiguity of corruption but the lack of political will to fight corruption. 

We have laws, we have law enforcement agencies but without the political will of the leaders, the fight against corruption is as good as lost. Since the inception of the current administration so much money has gone missing, many vanished with no trace, police pension fund scam, Immigration job scam, oil theft, the aviation minister charade, and not a single person has been convicted for these entire corrupt acts.

 

Nigeria is known for her many resources both natural and human, but with nothing to show for it due to poor resource management born from corrupt practices. If there is anything Gen. Buhari will be applauded for it will be his strong will to stand against corruption and bring to book anyone found wanting regardless of your political, financial, and social standing.

 

The serving President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan also attested to this fact during his Enugu campaign, and I quote him thus “How much did Jim Nwobodo stole?, Money not up to the price of a Peugeot and Buhari regime send him to jail is that good enough?”.

Perhaps this is what fears the current power wielding cabal of the country making them resign to the use of blackmail and negative imaging of the APC candidate.

But one thing is certain “Till we are able to fight and reduce to the least possible the corruption which has eaten deep into our Nation, we will not achieve the kind of development we see in countries surrounding us.”

I would close by quoting Mr Abuchi Anueyiagu from his Column in the Saturday Sun of 10^th January, 2015. He said and I quote “Let our people understand the mood of the country now and know that the time for change has come and that Nigeria needs Buhari more now than he needs us”.

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Author: White Knight