That IBB Alliance : Buhari, Be Careful !
By
Muhammad Bashir Usman
KADUNA
 
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