Does Buhari truly represent changes? Part 1 - By Shaibu Stephen Ojate By Shaibu Stephen Ojate Last two weeks, the All Progressive Congress nominated retired General Muhammad Buhari as its Presidential flag bearer for the 2015 Presidential election in Nigeria. With the nomination of the retired general as presidential candidate of his party, this will make it fourth times in his attempt to clinch leadership position in Nigeria. Buhari had contested under the platform of different political parties where he stood as their Presidential flag bearer and in all these; he serially lost out to People’s Democratic Party’s candidate in the final elections. There is no doubt that the Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressive Candidate are people to watch ahead of the general election because of large number of followers they both command in Nigeria. With the nomination of Buhari for All Progressive Congress and Goodluck Jonathan for Peoples Democratic Party, the coast is now clear for political pundits and analysts to x-ray these two contenders with a view to know what they have for the Nigerians. It is no more strange to political observers that All Progressive Congress claimed to represent changes in Nigeria and this is where the subject matter of my article is directed to today in a bid to critically analyze whether Buhari truly represent changes as their party supporters perceived him to be. Recall that members of All Progressive Congress had opted for retired general Muhammad Buhari because of his past records. They considered him as the best person for the country at a time when the nation is riddled with high level of poverty, unemployment, political stagnation, economic comatose and worst still endemic corruption. Buhari’s Supporters have been canvassing support for him through facebook, twitter and other social media where they described him as the messiah of the nation just like how good numbers of Goodluck Jonathan’s supporters had made Nigerians to see him prior to 2011 general election. Last week, I had the privilege of reading Buhari’s speech after being declared the winner in the just concluded Primary election of his party where he pointed out that he represents changes and promised to put smile on the faces of people if elected President of the country. He decried low recognition accorded to Nigeria in the committee of nation in the world. Buhari in his Speech indirectly demonized President Jonathan for taking the country backward saying it sounds irritating that the President of largest black Nation of the world did stand at the back row in the photograph at International community’s meeting. Buhari also decried the inability of the GEJ led administration to address the menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He noted that the Chibok girls who supposed to be with their parents in the house are presently with Boko Haram in the forest and federal government had not shown serious commitment to ensure their rescue. Buttressing, Buhari lamented high level of unemployment in the country and promise to create Jobs for Nigerians if elected. The salient points raised by retired general Muhammad Buhari will be the focal points of my this write-up today with a view to educate my reader whether he actually represent changes just like how his supporters and party members portrayed him to be. You should understand that the security of any nation is everybody’s business and not only the people in the government. When there is unrest in the society or the nation, the patriotic citizens of the country cooperate and join hands with the security apparatus of the nation to flush out criminals. Buhari who is more of elder statesman and whose supporters claimed to represent change, the question now is that has he in his individual capacity ever volunteered himself in initiating peace in Nigeria other than his serial castigation of military men? He was once quoted to have said Nigerian military men were killing northerners noting that they should be soft in their fight against Boko Haram insurgents. There is a saying that it is cheap to talk and criticize the government of the day and this is what the like of Buhari and APC prone sympathizers have been doing all these while. Recall that federal government never rest on its ooze as soldiers are usually deplored to warring areas to fight the insurgents which a times result to the death of our able military men. As we know, well meaning Nigerians had once canvassed that federal government should mediate with Boko haram. They had advised federal government to use carrot approach in addressing the problem of insurgency in the country. In the wake of this, Boko Haram suggested names of their trusted individuals to help them mediate in the peace pal. Buhari’s name was mentioned by Boko Haram to broker with federal government. Buhari who claimed to love Nigeria turned the offer down and this was a move geared towards bringing about peace in the country. Buhari who claimed to love Nigerian people never considered the offer as a golden opportunity to contribute his quota towards putting an end to recurrent decimal of bomb blast and suicide bombing orchestrated by Boko haram in Nigeria. Now, the same Buhari who had shown nonchalant attitude on how to resolve Boko haram insurgency is promising Nigerians of total end to insurgency only if he is elected. He is giving us condition that only if he elected the President that he will show serious commitment in contributing his quota towards bringing an end to the insurgency. This clearly shows that he is self-seeking and does not have the interest of the masses at heart. If he loves Nigerians as he claimed, the right thing was to embrace the move in the time past geared towards solving the problem of the insurgency than waiting to be elected the President of the country before doing so. Buhari by his actions and utterances opposed had every moves by federal government to cripple the activities of the Insurgents in the country. With these, does that person really represent progressive individual? Also, we are now hearing of Buhari on how he plans to tackle the issue of unemployment in the country and yet to explained how he shall do that. Let us take a vivid look at Buhari himself whether he has what it takes to deliver on this promise. Recall that Buhari left office as head of state, he never engaged in any business venture. To buttress my saying, at the point of collecting APC nomination form, he said; “he is helpless and poor and has to secure Bank Loan to raise money for his nomination fee”. Buhari who could not summoned the challenge to effect changes in a small enclave like APC is promising of Nigerians changes if elected the President of the country? A man who could not stand up and call for reduction of his party nomination form, can we say such person truly represents change as his supporters made Nigerians to see him? Buhari adduced his poor state to his inability to steal while he served government. I must ask, “Must someone steal before being rich?” A man who could not create wealth for himself after living office is now promising of people of Jobs when elected. For understanding of my reader, you can only deliver on what you can offer. The writer of this article never for once worked in any government or private sector and cannot complain of being poor and helpless just like what Buhari has been telling people. The writer tapped on the opportunities in his society to create wealth for himself. His talent in the areas of website design has made it possible for him to offer website design services for people and in turn makes money. If the like of this Writer is contesting for Presidency tomorrow and promised people of creating Jobs, the Youths of the nation will have course to believe him because he has practical demonstrated that and have something to show for his saying. Relating this issue to All Progressive Congress Presidential Candidate, Muhammad Buhari, what does he has to offer Nigerians other than his usual tales of stories and lamentation? Good numbers of our elders have embarked in serious business thus engaging Youths in the areas of job. Buhari had not showcased himself in any business to be described as worthy Business ambassador and one to look unto. He had not created wealth out of nothing in life which will make people to believe his saying. He remains poor and helpless after living government. The question now is that, “Can a helpless Man helps a complex Nation like Nigeria? Is Nigeria a helpless society? As the 2015 draws nearer, Nigerians should wake up as we cannot afford the risk of electing Leader who has no result oriented ideas towards bringing solace to hapless people in the country. Shaibu Stephen Ojate is a political analyst writes from Abuja Nigeria.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 21:10:29 +0000
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