Buhari Misquoted: Yar'Adua Misinformed

By

Ahmad Salisu

asisyaku@yahoo.com

Nigerians had been following the trends of events right from April 14th 2007, which was the day that marked the beginning of the Third milestone after the returning of the country’s mantle of leadership to a pre-organised democratically elected leadership in 1999. Although I conscientiously avail myself from our societal attitude of ‘siddon look’ it is my opinion to voice out what I presumed to be analytically populous or by contrast more acceptable.

It is a pity that Mr. President himself was misinformed on the position of General Muhammadu Buhari over statement alleging that his refusal to withdraw the appeals he filed challenging the victory of Alhaji Umaru Yaradua was as a result of neglect. Such misrepresentations by and large could constitute a malicious statements made with clear intentions of insinuating unimaginable dent to his character. Despite all pressures within and without the country, yet General Buhari continued to keep close to the wishes of his electorates.

When has leadership issue became a mockery in Nigeria that a whole President upon all responsibilities succumbed to cracking of jokes with fellow citizens? Perhaps, Nigerians are abreast of all avenues being exploited by the Federal Government in order to solicit for General Buhari’s cooperation in withdrawing the case against the legitimacy of Umaru Yaradua’s government. It is not hidden to Nigerians that the current and unguarded statements made by the ANPP leadership against General Buhari was as a result of his refusal to accept the position of his party to withdraw the case and join in the GNU masterminded by the P.D.P led government.

Consequently, the Federal Government has inspired its agents in the ANPP to constitute the Tofa led reconciliation committee to lure Buhari into accepting its offer which he rejected and as such subtle their pedal into blackmail and character assassination through misrepresentation and misinterpretation of an innocent populist statements. What manner of a government?

The basic question to ask is who invited clerics from both Muslim and Christian religion to plead with General Buhari to withdraw his case? Who is the Brain behind inviting Nigerian former Presidents and other world leaders to plead with General Buhari to withdraw the said legitimate legal fight against usurping the right of the people?

When has the Federal Government forgotten that it was in her instance that traditional rulers converge to call for the understanding and acceptance of General Buhari to withdraw the case and accept the Government of National Unity. In the same vain the Arewa Consultative Forum has been used to appeal to the morality of General Buhari to withdraw the same case. Or are there no pressures indirectly coming from Buhari’s family, friends and other relatives all gearing towards persuading him to withdraw the same case.

Such unprecedented pressures coming from all angles, if General Buhari is not certain that what he is pursuing is not in the popular interest. I have no doubt that he would have accepted and succumbed to such pressing pressures, but his intention to remain in Nigeria and to form an alliance and unit for a task of salvaging and moving Nigeria forward.

In general terms Nigerian may wonder why such insinuations; perhaps it may not be surprising for a government that is battling to create artificial legitimacy. It must be fresh in the memories of all Nigerian that the nomination of Yaradua from his party P.D.P and as well his flawed election as the president of Nigeria was masterminded by the former President Chief Olusegun Obansajo.

Power Brookership in Nigeria has been playing role in this situation, and in order to extend control over President Umaru Musa Yaradua by power Brookers that ensured that he was made the president; certain loopholes are being used as remote control to coerce the activities of the elected leaders. Part of such controls is the Court action instituted by Buhari against him. The power Brookers use the pending litigation to intimidate the president so as to continue enjoy his loyalty; and by withdrawing the lingering case instituted by Buhari is tantamount to liberating the president from the bondage of the said power Brookers. How on earth will Mr. President not use all avenues at his disposal to win General Buhari’s confidence and acceptance?

General Buhari has never been interested in joining the GNU and in the interest of the electorates will continue to exploit legal redress; and he is optimistic that the truth shall always triumph over falsehood. It is my candid belief that the masses believed in the justified cause spearheaded by General Buhari and will continue to be identified with him towards liberating the nation to a greater height and then we shall know who was swimming against the tide.