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Buhari: - The Last Man Standing By Shehu Yakasai
Events of recent past regarding the elections in May 2007, and democracy in general in Nigeria, have all pointed to the insincerity of the government with respect to the elections and the state of lawlessness and complete absence of any democratic culture in the country. It is either OBJ thinks he is fooling us, because it is manifestly clear, come May 2007, and if he can get away with it, he will surely like to extend his tenure. In the absence of this, then he will select and impose on us another puppet, who will help him and his lackeys cover their tracts with respect to all the atrocities they have perpetrated, as well consolidate their looting of our national resources, in the name of sustaining a reform programme, that succeeded in only pushing the majority of Nigerians below poverty line, while he, his family and cronies have all been smiling to the banks.
These days, governance in Nigeria, at whatever level, be it local government, State or the Federal level, is a big business where people invest with a view to reaping the benefits, by emptying the treasury. Government is about appropriating what belong to us all, by the few who are in a position of authority, majority of whom we never elected in the first place. Yet, they all claim to be there with our mandates.
The reality of the situation is democracy as it is known elsewhere, as a government freely elected by the people, working for their interest, which they can replace when it no longer serves their interest, does not exist in this country. What pass for election in this country, is merely a selection by the Government, and using the instruments of power at their disposal to simply announce arbitrary figures, irrespective of who the electorates vote for. Some ‘victorious’ candidates never even bothered to contest any election at all. INEC simply award the election to them. In effect, our votes no longer count, hence they are not accountable to us, but to those who steal the election for them. So far, none of the parties has bothered to tell us what plans they have for us, should we trust them with our mandates. They are so embolden that they feel there is no need for them to waste time with lies about projects that will never be implemented. The elections in Nigeria are being fought not on issues, as in other genuine democracies, but by control of the machinery of government. There is no difference between nearly all the parties. They all have their good, the bad and the ugly. The fight against third term confirms this. Hence, what matters these days, is the character of the individual irrespective of which party he comes from.
What happened in 2003 was a test run of what they are planning for next year, if at all there is going to be an election. That is the reason why, all the candidates were after, is to get on the good side of OBJ. They figure out once anointed by him, it is as good as having won the election. INEC, the security agents and the judiciary will ensure that.
Professor Iwus’ INEC is not different from Goubadias, and both are reading from the same script. Just like Goubadia was a nominee of Anthony Anenih, I gather Iwu is that of the Uba clan of Anambra/ Ingige/ Presidential plane money laundering fame. You can draw your conclusion from there.
The inspector general is supposed to have retired long ago. Instead all his subordinates DIG’s and AIG’s were retired instead, and we are yet to see any special talent he posses that no other officer in service has not got, that he needs to stay. For the record our security situation has never been as bad. He, also like Balogun, is yet to unrable any of the political assassinations that have taken place in his time. Only recently and in broad day light, that a serving commissioner of police was assassinated. In other countries by now the culprits will have been in custody. When those who are to protect you are themselves not safe, what do you say about that state of affairs? After all Bola Ige, the nations number judicial officer then, was assassinated in his bed room, and certainly not by faceless individuals, and to date no one has been convicted for that.
A good chunk of the members of the nations judiciary going by their day to day conduct, their performances following the 2003 election, should either by now be doing some thing else, if not behind bars themselves. On the contrary, they are still comfortably being kept in their positions, ready to inflict further injustices in relation to next years election.
One could easily see all the structures to rig the election and legally secure it are already in place. But this is only going to happen if and only if we fold our arms and do nothing. The situation is entirely different from 2003 in that co-conspirators like IBB and Atiku are now on the receiving end this time around.
Today, just like yesterday, still the man to beat is Buhari, who they are aware will not tolerate any further rape of the electoral process this time around, and neither will his teeming supporters. Therefore, the game plan in the current dispensation from all indications is to prevent him from emerging as a candidate in the first place.
Though he decided to stay in ANPP, which is the courageous thing to do, which also has temporarily cost him the support of some ardent supporters, and despite the fact that all the governors in the party, are being held hostage by OBJ and are therefore been used to implement a hidden agenda. The task ahead of Buhari, not unexpectedly, and those who believe Nigeria, with the right kind of leadership can be a better place for all of us, is definitely a huge one.
Going by the tribulations Buhari went through since he joined politics, another person would have thrown in the towel and gone back to his quite retirement. However you got to know the man, to understand what keeps him going. It is common knowledge that at various times in the past, he was a State governor, Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of state and lately chairman of the Petroleum trust fund. Any of these appointments going by the conduct of the majority of those in authority nowadays, would mean he has no money worries. But to him leadership is a sacred trust. You are not only accountable to the people, but to God as well.
Despite his military background, today’s Buhari is a democrat to the core, in keeping with his nature that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. Buhari was dragged into politics by those who believe the nation need individuals like him to renew and get a clean break for the 21st century. Other countries like India, Brazil, Malaysia, not to talk of China have already leapfrogged into a league of their own. Nigeria, on the other hand, burdened with corrupt leadership and ineptitude, is determined to join the likes of Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Liberia and Zimbabwe.Though Nigeria is potentially a great country, but there isn’t enough for every body’s greed. With this pervasive laziness, where every body wants to rich, and nobody wants to work for it, we have a long way to go. And the rate at which public officers are looting the nations treasury, very soon if care is not taken we will bankrupt the country, as it did happen in Argentina.
Of all those who have seriously shown interest in the presidency, as there are a lot of jokers amongst them as well, only Buhari remained untainted, uncompromised, of proven integrity and genuinely loved and trusted by the electorate. He alone, the people know have not stolen from them, will not if elected back to office, and will not knowingly condone any misappropriation of our meagre resources. For this, his detractors are afraid of him. With him it is truly not going to be business as usual.
Buhari, is prepared to accept defeat in any proven free and fair election, and will not accept any dubious mandate, nor will he allow any body to rig elections for him, just in order to be president at any cost. In 2003, when it appeared as if he was coursing to victory, every body was on board to partake in the eventual sharing of the booty. However once the scenario changed, and people realised things were becoming abit complicated, one by one, in time people drifted away, giving one excuse or another. Not that one is questioning the individuals right to voluntarily decides where their personal interests will better be served. Especially when OBJ and the cabal around him, have the might of the Federal government at their disposal, and their resolve to go to any length to keep power, including physical liquidation. The struggle was no longer for the faint hearted, and people rightly or selfishly, made their choices. But, they were unfair to malign Buhari in order to justify their decisions. They simply were unable to measure up to his standard, and if they cannot at that moment fit in, or feel it is too dangerous to associate with him, they should quietly go their way, with no name calling. Buhari is no Angel, but compared to every body on offer to day, he has no match.
Buhari and those who believe in him, have no illusion that it is going to be an easy struggle, most especially with his paucity of material resources. But again this is by choice, as he could have also helped himself to our treasury, like others did. Was he also in this for personal gain, following 2003, OBJ would have given him and his associates a blank cheque. Yet, he chose to fight in the courts for what was a day light robbery and an assault on our democratic aspirations. It is not in his character to sell his supporters cheap. And that is why we believe in him.
It was true, others have to contribute in order for him to even purchase his application form, and this wasn’t easy as well, as no money bag was prepared to invest where they think there will be no returns. People are just not convinced there will be any election, and even if there is going to be, it is merely going to be a selection and imposition, most probably worse than in 2003. Nigerians’ democratic experiment under OBJ is still in the wilderness.
Even for the likes of Buhari, the experience of the third term struggle has shown the need for a coalition of the good, irrespective of party applications in order to save the country. We need to persuade the likes of the Senate President Nnamani, who at present remained the only senior elected politician with any credibility, to continue to serve.
If we truly need a change for the better, and not more of the same, we need to identify individuals like these, encourage and persuade them to be part of the electoral process. This is the least we can do for posterity, and for entrenchment and survival of genuine democracy in Nigeria. For a peaceful, prosperous and united country which our children will have a chance in and be proud of.
As for the presidency, and for now, Buhari is the last man standing, and may all those who believe in the project Nigeria, come out and support this wonderful, patriotic Nigerian of proven integrity, courage and honesty, and indeed track record of selfless service to this beloved country. Buhari, irrespective of what happen at the ANPP convention must contest this election. PDP has the right to nominate any candidate they wish, no matter how good they think he is , but looking at the current Nigerian situation and were we hope to be in the comity of progressive nations, the PDP candidate is not the man to lead us and their best is not good enough for Nigeria.
Indeed we have no country other than Nigeria, and we must join hands to salvage it together. None of the parties alone has what it takes to sort out the mess we are in. And none has a monopoly to quality individuals. However it is for the good from all the parties to come together, to secure the future of this country. With the likes of Buhari there may be hope, as few mothers in Nigeria and indeed elsewhere, these days, deliver individuals like him. This may be our last chance for along time to come, so let us stand up to be counted.
Shehu Yakasai South Wales
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