That IBB Alliance : Buhari, Be Careful !
By
Whether the third term promoters of chief Olusegun Obasanjo will
admit this or not, the hidden fact is now more than obvious that the
president as well as many other sponsored agents within his people
democratic (or is it autocratic ?) party PDP is to say the least
desperate to achieve his self-succession bid as the unchanged presidents
of Nigeria after May, 2007. From the now-open war of attrition the
president tactically declared against his deputy, Atiku Abubakar and his
perceived boys and allies across the country each of whom automatically
qualifies as Obasanjo’s third term opposer, unseen militarization of the
ruling party through selective appointment of the president’s henchmen
in key and strategic positions to state congresses, re-registration akin
to revalidation of the party’s member ship and its December 10th
national, non-elective convention in Abuja, a charade during which
appointees were reconfirmed their various assignments, and missions for
the actualization of the third term agenda, events remained unfolding
and in recent times culminated in Obasanjo hijacking the self acclaimed
"biggest political party" in Africa with 100% hire and fire authority.
The president is plotting to succeed himself hook, line and sinker. I
bet even Fani Kayode, his town crier cannot deny the fact any longer.
The nation listened to (some even watched as others read his (Kayode’s)
torrents of abuses and condemnation against general Gowon and even US
officials for advising his boss to vacate power in 2007. Isn’t that
enough indication ? It was against this backdrop that the Rimis, Lars,
Jimetas and what have you formed the MRD,MDD with a view to stopping the
president from achieving such a devilish political objective. Hence a
large number of northern politicians including members of the ruling
party dropped and or short-changed by the president’s policies of "toe
my line to avoid being isolated" have gathered to mount a stiff
resistance to the ongoing attempt at presidential tenure extension come
2007. These northerners, as the circumstances indicate, will unite
despite any diversity to bring back their "power" destiny to the north
in 2007.
From here starts my topic: Buhari’s seeing alliance with IBB. It all
started like a small fire with the gossip industries churning out
manufactured rumours meant to be conveyed in abundance by hawkers to the
common market of hearsay for the use of final consumers-who are none
other then we the docile, inactive, non-reactive and gullible,
uncivilized members of Nigerian public. It culminated however on the
pages of National Dailies with: "Buhari visits IBB" on the Saturday Sun
of last December. Others like Thisday carried. Buhari, IBB and Kalu in
secret talks over third term. The N orth in particular and the nation in
general was, indeed before you say "wonderful !" agog with the catchy
news of Buhari moving for the first time in history, to forge an unholy
alliance with IBB, perhaps in 2007. Let it be known from the starting
point that the alleged alliance (or is it merger as Charles Soludo would
call it ? ) is, as far as democracy and good leadership for the Nigerian
people are concerned to put mildly, alien if at all pragmatic and may be
counter productive for Buhari and his hitherto unquestionable political
career in the near or unforeseeable future. Yes-the president is nursing
a third term ambition, plotting to breach the pre-1999 PDP power shift
agreement. In fact, he is bent on that. But that does not make IBB a
political trustee, nor even Atiku Abubakar, An elder brother and a
mentor o sort to me, Abdulmumeen Mohammed tried to convince me over the
merger which I refer to as "Buhari’s slide" but couldn’t ram it down my
throat as I stuck to my gun about the serious misgivings I have about
the man and his every word. Before the debate ended however, Abdulmumeen
lent credence to my unending fear. Obasanjo, whether we like or not, has
launched a war against the North. So we must join forces no matter how
to return power to the Region. Let him (referring to Buhari ) close
ranks with IBB even if he will use him and dump him in the end, said he.
i smiled in cynicism.
Honesty speaking, I. unlike what seems to be the belief among my people,
do not oppose seeing these two generals reconciling themselves if at all
it is an attempt at reconciliation. Secondly, they together with Atiku
and any other northerner or Southerner within or outside the ruing PDP
can unite to push the dictator out for the sake democracy and the
nation’s survival. But one fact is missing: what Nigeria and Nigerians
today need(s) is a credible, patriotic dedicated and selfless leader
(and leadership) committed to restore law and order, cle ar the bulky
mess done by the present breed of political and economic wizards in the
name of American democracy and European reform policies, regardless of
where that person comes from.
And we shall not forger we are not operating a regional democracy in
Nigeria today. Buharis belongs to the ANPP ( I stand to be corrected in
case he defected to PDP amid the newfound euphoria), a party with a
national coloration, outlined political manifestoes and a guiding
constitution just as IBB and Atiku belong to the ruling PDP. Besides,
the Buhari I know does not share the same political interest with IBB
nor with Atiku Abubakar and as such, the first question to emerge in any
reasonable mind would be : can they go together? If yes, for how long?
In politics or better put democracy, values and principle are never
compromised on the attar of tribalism, regionalism talk less of
materialism but tactics and strategies may be reshaped and redirec ted
where the main, set objective is not put in jeopardy. General Buhari is
now in better position to know this. I don’t have confidence in IBB
especially where leadership is involved. That was why I found the news
of his integration with the ANPP candidate as gory as it remained
paradoxical. I will give my reasons sooner.
I am not yet convinced if IBB is not part and parcel of this present
regime in Aso Rock. Or what are people like Abubakar and their likes,
whom we all agree are foot soldiers of IBB, from yesterday through today
to tomorrow, scheming together with Obasanjo if really as they want us
to believe the president has since parted ways with the general in Minna?
Two, it is a know fact that IBB was never a well-meaning leader of the
country. No detailed explanation is needed to confirm this. This has
been one of his differences with Buhari, politically speaking. Unless of
course if he (Buhari) has changed for worse recently (God forbid). In
that regard, who says the man (IBB), who takes pride in calling himself
or being called by admirers a "Maradona " has now changed for the
better?
Truth to be told, what Nigeria needs now, as said earlier, is a
dedicated, selfless leader who will move the grounded ship of the nation
forward, deliver them from the monumental devastation and havoc wreaked
upon then by perennial years of pseudo-democratic administrations. A
progressive president, not necessarily Buhari, who would do Murtala
(return his loot if he has nay and force others to follow suit) or even
Buhari /diagbon philosophy : steal at your own peril, to stop the
looting mentality that has been the hallmark of almost all previous
governments in Nigeria from independence. Whether or not General
Babangida will leave the seat for any available, competent aspirant from
the North come 2007 is a fundamental question not even his supporters
/campaigners can answer. It is repeat worthy here that IBB is not a
reliable candidate to put forward for the task. Neither is Atiku
Abubakar. I remember one northern patron and a career Journalist who
uttered what would vindicate me in my argument. He said his (IBB’s)
rescue of Obasanjo from prison to presidency was simply meant to rope
him (Obasanjo) into public credibility crises with the Nigerian people
according to reliable sources. Imagine! Lastly, Nigeria just like the
northern geographical extraction needs a gratuitous sacrifice to deliver
it from its ongoing tribulations. Let those who betrayed the region and
the nation at large, if truly they repented, come together the reach a
consensus and single out one credible candidate for the presidency in
2007 . Buhari can close rank with whomever struggling person he likes,
but values and principles, as I stressed earlier are never compromised
in leadership and democracy, no matter the prevailing circumstances. A
leader who can transform our deep-seated ignora nce into knowledge,
weakness into strength and defeat into victory is the reigning hope of
Nigerians today. Buhari is one discovered, and I believe he is not the
only one. lets pray for the nation. May God save Nigeria. Amen! Amen !!
Amen !!!
Finally, my hearty condolences to the General and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi
over the natural death of the former’s estranged wife and the cold
blooded murder of the latter’s recently. May their departed souls rest
in peace and may God Almighty grand the two bereaved the fortitude to
bear the losses, Amen.
NOTE: The concluding part of my article : Ayagi And The Morality Decline
could not be seen this week owing to some technical difficulties I
encountered in compiling it. However, interested readers will find the
piece available as soon as I overcome the problems.
Muhammad Bashir Usman
KADUNA
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