Buhari has military mentality and not fit to be President, says Obasanjo/soyinka

[NewEte]

Buhari has military mentality, says Obasanjo
By Maxwell Oditta (Lagos) and Oluyinka Akintunde (Abuja)

• Soyinka Queries His Adoption By Opposition

President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday dismissed the Presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Muhammadu Buhari, as a man of military mentality who thinks he could restructure the country in a democratic dispensation.


Obasanjo scolded him at the opening of the Third Business Roundtable in Abuja, organised by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, threw his hat into the ring in Lagos, where he too dissociated himself from the clamour by opposition parties for the return of Buhari as a civilian President.

He warned that his candidature would not be useful in forging a credible opposition against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that his history personifies a graver, looming danger to democracy.

He labelled him as a dictator who has shown no regard for democratic norms.

Soyinka insisted that Buhari's candidature, which he had dismissed as a rash illusion triggered by other political improbabilities, is being given an air of plausibility by individuals and groups to which he had earlier attributed a sense of relevance.

He removed the African Renaissance Party (with which he identifies) from the endorsement of Buhari by those in Tunji Braithwaite's Coalition For A New Nigeria, and noted that the grounds on which Buhari is being promoted as the alternative are shaky and naÔve.

Said Soyinka: "Buhari – need one remind anyone – was one of the Generals who treated a commission of enquiry, the Oputa Panel, with unconcealed disdain. Like Babangida and Abdulsalami, he refused to put in appearance even though complaints that were tabled against him involved a career of gross abuses of power and blatant assault on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizenry."

He accused Buhari of abuse of power alongside his Chief of Staff, the late Tunde Idiagbon.

This abuse of power, in Soyinka's chronicle, included Decree No. 4 of 1984 – under which two journalists, Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, were jailed – and a retroactive Decree 20 of 1984 by which three young men were executed by firing squad for drug trafficking.

Soyinka also said he is not surprised at the census figures and recalled how he had gone round to consult with experts in demography outside Nigeria.

"I was a week in Ghana, in the conference which put me against many, many experts in this field, who also wanted to discuss the phenomenon called the Nigerian census. And the consensus, no pun intended, is that there is something very, very wrong about these figures."

Back at the roundtable in Abuja, Obasanjo, apparently reacting to the jab Buhari threw at his government last week, sneered: "He says he will continue with the reforms (in terms of the) restructuring of Nigeria. Because of the Constitution, no person can create a local government. He is still thinking in the military era (whereas) the Constitution does not empower him to create a local government.

"We have about 12 bills before the National Assembly, which include the Fiscal Responsibility Bill, the Procurement Bill, Tax Reforms Bills, and the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. I have no power over the National Assembly. I can only appeal to them, which we have been doing."

Buhari had said, in an interview last week, that Obasanjo's economic reform is a disaster.

"Everybody is screaming," he reiterated. "I have said it so often that, since 1914, when the North and the South were amalgamated and became one Nigeria, and we have remained so, Nigeria has not realised the revenue we have had in the last 10 years.

"Go back and check in relative terms: The number of companies closed, loss of jobs, unemployment, insecurity and decay in infrastructure. And you can't even reconcile the revenue Nigeria has realised with the economic disaster that has shown itself in terms of lack of employment, no power, and insecurity.

"I think the government has not performed, and that calls on Nigerians to think seriously on an alternative to this government."

Reacting to a question raised by a participant at the roundtable on the need to legalise the reforms – and for political parties to agree to continue with them – Obasanjo said it is unconstitutional for anyone to say he would restructure the country.

Obasanjo asserted that there is no basis for the PDP to meet with other parties to ensure the continuation of the economic programmes.

"For parties to come together on the reforms sounds like ganging up. On what basis should the parties meet? They have different ideologies and agenda."

Uncharacteristically, he called for a debate among the Presidential candidates in order to scrutinise their programmes and thinking.

On a statement credited to another Presidential candidate that he (the candidate) would "reform the current reforms," Obasanjo said it is the worst statement he has ever heard. Incidentally one of the candidates who made the statement was Obasanjo's aide. Another was Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The President insisted that proponents of the split up of Nigeria have been proved wrong because of the population results.

"The census results have been announced and accepted by the government as required by the Constitution. They have been forwarded to the National Assembly. What remains is the publication of the census in official gazette, which we will carry out next week."

Obasanjo emphasised that the reforms have yielded the desirable results, including the granting of debt relief by the Paris Club and the fight against corruption through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

"We are now in a situation where the reforms are no longer an individual or head of government's reforms. Our reforms have been embraced by my party, the PDP. It is now my party's agenda.

"This leads us to the fact that we can now draw up targets and policies, from where the government can draw up programmes. Our overall target is to be among the top 20 largest economies by 2020."

Most of the independent power projects would come on stream before the end of this year, he added, and gave an assurance that the government is on course to generate 10,000 mega watts (mw) of electricity by December and 15,000 mw by 2010.

Supporting that optimistic view, the acting Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa, Chika Mordi, recounted at the roundtable that the last seven and half years have been positive for Nigeria in terms of development.

He expressed confidence that the country would witness a sustained reform and a smooth transition, as "we have seen clear changes in terms of infrastructure, telecommunications, and financial management. How we harness entrepreneurship is the key to success in Nigeria."

The President of Coca Cola (Nigeria and Equatorial Africa), Lawrence Drake, said there is no reason why Nigeria cannot be a robust economy in Africa, if Angola could achieve it.

"Angola has significantly grown its economy and Gross Domestic Product in the last seven years. Nigeria has to do the same and grow her economy. Our hope is that this will happen," he stated.

[NewEte]

For once, I actually agree with Obasanjo. Rulership is not by force. Buhari seems to believe that ruling Nigeria is his god given right and that he alone has what it takes to put Nigeria on the right track. Because of this mentality, nobody including his aides can advice him on anything. In all honesty, I think his time has come and gone. Even if he pulls off a win in the upcoming election, I believe he'll be a sitting duck president like Obasanjo because he is out of tocuh with the modern World.

The best thing really that ANPP can do is to replace Buhari and then invite a quality candidate like Pat Utomi to become the party's presidential hopeful. Now, Pat Utomi can outcampaign and defeat yar-Adua. One elected President, Pat Utomi can then appoint Buhari as EFCC chairman. This way Buhari can prove his mantle by going after the untouchable IBB, Obj, and all others.

[Dan-Borno]

For once, I actually agree with Obasanjo. Rulership is not by force. Buhari seems to believe that ruling Nigeria is his god given right and that he alone has what it takes to put Nigeria on the right track. Because of this mentality, nobody including his aides can advice him on anything. In all honesty, I think his time has come and gone.

Haba Ete, you spoken well, except of the above, did you mean that Buhari doesnt know the consequences of democracy?  And never did Buhari mention that ruling Nigeria is his God given right, we are practicing democracy where all are eligible, except deficiency by law.

Ete, Try Buhari pls, u wont regret, forget about Soyinka, he has been a critic all his life.

[lionger]

"Buhari – need one remind anyone – was one of the Generals who treated a commission of enquiry, the Oputa Panel, with unconcealed disdain. Like Babangida and Abdulsalami, he refused to put in appearance even though complaints that were tabled against him involved a career of gross abuses of power and blatant assault on the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizenry."

This is a good point. Buhari's dictatorial tendencies are obvious, though OBJ really should not be the one pointing that out. As far as I'm concerned all these past dictators should be banned from any form of political activity.

[NewEte]

Dan Borno, no! Let's try someone else. Think about it, Nigeria's population is 140 million like they say. I am sure you will agree with me that given such a huge population, we should have ample choices when it comes to government and leadership. So it will make little sense to keep recycling the same set of people that have ruled before with little or nothing to show for.

I would support Buhari, but only for as EFCC chairmanship job. I am sure you would agree with me that Buhari had his chance once before.  He was head of state with Idiagbon as his deputy. It was his own colleagues and friends that overthrew him from office, not civilians, and not the Nigerian people. It was his own very colleagues in the Military that staged the coup which brought him into power in the first place, that also upstaged him citing several reasons like rigidity, refusal to consult others during decision making, refusal to seek or accept counsel from the ruling body, etc.

Millions of capable Nigerians never had Buhari's chances, but he did and squandered it. Now regarding my assertion that Buhari believes the Presidency is his right, I believe this completely. I think civilian life is a rough adjustment for Buhari. Just last week, his camp was in consultation with Atiku Abubakar in an effort to convince Atiku to reliquish his presidential ambition thereby making it easier for him (Buhari) to match up against Yar Adua. When Atiku refused the offer, Buhari lashed out at him saying Atikku could go to hell. Where is the maturity and deplomacy in that? That confirms what I wrote earlier. The ex-General think Nigerians owe him something. He still thinks things should be ready-made for him, and that he just ought to have his way easy without any challenge from any quaters.

Dan Borno, I seriously doubt that he has the temperament for this job in a democratic dispensation. It is a different ball game in a democracy. See, the whole democratic atmosphere has made Obasanjo semi crazy. Imagine what it could do to Buhari

[Dan-Borno]

This is a good point. Buhari's dictatorial tendencies are obvious, though OBJ really should not be the one pointing that out. As far as I'm concerned all these past dictators should be banned from any form of political activity.

[/quote]

I think our Senior Lionger has finished it all, all these past dictators should be banned from any form of political activity.

[HUSNAA]

Come on give Buhari a chance. He is better than the PDP presidential candidate by far. He is a man of integrity and what ever high handedness he showed during his stint as a military ruler was due to the fact that that was what nigerians needed at the time...an iron hand to straighten them out and it worked. He has always meant well for the nation and I for one has immense confidence in his leadership qualities.
As for OBJ, saying Buhari has military tendencies, abi what has he been showing for the last near eight yrs that he has been in power? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black (or the other way round) Look at what INEC is doing at present, screening potential candidates when it is not within its jurisdiction to do so, and the senate and house of reps are powerless to stop it because INEC'S actions are covertly approved by OBJ.
Ete you think civilian life is a rough adjustment for Buhari, just bcos of the hearsay you wrote about him consigning Atiku to hell? The man who has lived a humble life when he could have been wallowing in riches from ill gotten gains? Why did he choose that path then? He had an opportunity to enrich himself when he became the boss at PTF and that was when he wasnt in the military but he didnt, he
went back to his humble abode in Daura. For most ppl, the attraction with Buhari was his ability to resist temptation when it was thrown in his way. That takes a lot of integrity to do, and that is why ppl are pinning their hopes on him. Besides he projects a quiet air of authority which is lacking in many of today's Nigerian leaders. He can prove his mettle better as Nigeria'a prez, not some state chief of police as u so want to relegate him to.
Anyway too late for Pat utomi and better luck in 2011 or 2015 whichever.

Dan Borno, I seriously doubt that he has the temperament for this job in a democratic dispensation. It is a different ball game in a democracy. See, the whole democratic atmosphere has made Obasanjo semi crazy. Imagine what it could do to Buhari

lol Buhari is less temperamental than OBJ. OBJ is a very spontaneous outspoken individual who says his mind the moment it occurs to him, much to the detriment of diplomatic relationships. He gets away with it too..........

[Dan-Borno]

Aunty Husna, you are welcome, scratch my back please.

[NewEte]

Aunty Husnna, in all fairness to other aspirants and Nigerians, Buhari did get his chance. He served unelected as Supreme Leader for 2 years or thereabouts. When you say his iron fist rule during his leadership was because Nigerians needed that, who decides what Nigerians need at a given time? One man? One man and a few other people? Who makes that determination? Are the Nigerian people not the ones to decide how their nation is to be governed? Keep in mind that Buhari was never elected by anyone when he came on stage. But let's look past that for now.

You have stated that your attraction and admiration for Buhari stems not from his leadership potentials but for his resistance to financial temptation. Accoding to you, he resisted the opportunity to unlawfully enrich himself while he served as President and then later as PTF Chief Exec. So not only did he serve unelected as President, he was indeed given another chance to serve as Head of a very important national agency. Again you point out here that he was honest during his tenure as PTF chairman. Why is that praise worthy? Isn't it normal that we discharge our duties diligently and honestly? So why shower such accolades on Buhari for doing what he was appointed to do? That's like me being praised for waking up and going to work everyday. But I suppose under the circumstance in Nigeria, managing to do the normal thing is worth commendation.

Having said that, you inadvertently agree with me that Buhari would make a good EFCC chairman. Most people have one real talent or fit in life. The general's talent is in resisting monetary temptation and disliking those who steal. Being the EFCC chairman would be a perfect fit for him. I totally disagree with you Buhari serving as EFCC chief is a relegation of his worth. Husnaa that's the wrong attitude, and Buhari suffers from similar air of arrogance. If wasn't demeaning for him to serve as PTF chairman, why would it be demeaning for him to serve as EFCC boss? This is where his principled stance and honesty is most suited.

By the way,  Yar Adua in an effort to score cheap points has reportedly challenged Buhari to a series of public debates. Yar-Adua's camp wants to capitalize on what they call Buhari's lack of eloquence and inability to spare in public speaking on national and campaign issues. It would be interesting to see what happens here.

[Dan-Borno]

what do you have to say concerning Yar'adua, Malam Ete

[guest33]

Come on give Buhari a chance. He is better than the PDP presidential candidate by far. He is a man of integrity and what ever high handedness he showed during his stint as a military ruler was due to the fact that that was what nigerians needed at the time...an iron hand to straighten them out and it worked. He has always meant well for the nation and I for one has immense confidence in his leadership qualities.
As for OBJ, saying Buhari has military tendencies, abi what has he been showing for the last near eight yrs that he has been in power? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black (or the other way round) Look at what INEC is doing at present, screening potential candidates when it is not within its jurisdiction to do so, and the senate and house of reps are powerless to stop it because INEC'S actions are covertly approved by OBJ.
Ete you think civilian life is a rough adjustment for Buhari, just bcos of the hearsay you wrote about him consigning Atiku to hell? The man who has lived a humble life when he could have been wallowing in riches from ill gotten gains? Why did he choose that path then? He had an opportunity to enrich himself when he became the boss at PTF and that was when he wasnt in the military but he didnt, he
went back to his humble abode in Daura. For most ppl, the attraction with Buhari was his ability to resist temptation when it was thrown in his way. That takes a lot of integrity to do, and that is why ppl are pinning their hopes on him. Besides he projects a quiet air of authority which is lacking in many of today's Nigerian leaders. He can prove his mettle better as Nigeria'a prez, not some state chief of police as u so want to relegate him to.
Anyway too late for Pat utomi and better luck in 2011 or 2015 whichever.

Dan Borno, I seriously doubt that he has the temperament for this job in a democratic dispensation. It is a different ball game in a democracy. See, the whole democratic atmosphere has made Obasanjo semi crazy. Imagine what it could do to Buhari

lol Buhari is less temperamental than OBJ. OBJ is a very spontaneous outspoken individual who says his mind the moment it occurs to him, much to the detriment of diplomatic relationships. He gets away with it too..........

Please speak for yourself. You might have enjoyed being flogged in the streets by Buhari's goons whilst he was in power but for most of us, his war against "indisplin" was one of the darker periods in Nigeria's history.

[NewEte]

Malam Dan Borno, to be honest with you, I don't really know much about Yar-Adua except the little information I have read about him on line. The reports I have read about his leadership is that he has been a very prudent administrator in Katsina State. It is reported that he does not give in to excesses and has manage the state's resources well. I am sure there are plenty of people out there that disagree and outrightly oppose Yar-Adua.

The thing is, if yar-Adua is indeed a fair guy and had governed his state with distinction, the problem he may eventually is his membership and association with PDP and Obasanjo. He has a personable appearance, looks simple, but can he deliver? If I was Yar-Adua's campiagn manager, I would begin now singing a different tune and distancing myself from Obasanjo. I would not be talking about continuing Obasanjo's reforms, but will focus my campaign theme on going " A different direction".

If I was Yar-Adua, I would address issues that I know people want to hear, and sound very emphatic about addressing the real issues affecting Millions of Nigerians. I think if he works hard to connect with the Nigerian masses and demonstrates acute knowledge of solutions to the pressing issues that previous governments ignored or failed to resolve, people might believe him.

I suppose, it would be good to see both Yar-Adua and Buhari on a forum spar with each other or even do so independently so people get a chance to assess them. Right now, I have no idea what their political ideologies are, and that's a shame. It is less than 3 month before a national election, and one has no idea where the presidential candidates stand on any issue at all?

[Dan-Borno]

Ete, i should have referred you to the link, but to ease the burden, here is a piece by the famous Aliyu Tilde, where he politically analysed both Yar'Adua and Buhari.  Have a nice time reading.

And if you need to verify, here is the link
http://www.amanaonline.com/Articles/Tilde/Tilde_226.htm


The tree of people's liberation which Malam Aminu Kano planted over half a century ago is still yielding fruits. A lot has changed in our political landscape for the common man since the people were gradually freed from the oppressive practices of British indirect rule and its chief aristocratic structure – the Native Authorities (N.A). The struggle of Malam Aminu, or Malam as he is simply called, compelled the Premier of the Northern region to start moderating those policies by initiating the local government reforms that resulted in the termination of the N.A. Later in the 1970s, the influence of Malam, chiefly through his disciples like Professor Bashir Ikara, carried the local government reforms to their logical conclusion, consigning any vestige of the N.A. to the cargo of history. Thus, though the party which Malam led up to 1966 – the Northern Elements Peoples' Congress (NEPU) – did not form a government, it, nevertheless, became the greatest catalyst for change through its stubborn commitment to liberation politics.

By the end of the 1970s, Malam's party, the Peoples' Redemption Party (PRP), the last Nigerian party to be truly driven by ideology, secured the leadership of the important states of Kaduna and Kano , the political and economic seats of northern conservative elements respectively. Though both governors – Balarabe Musa and Abubakar Rimi – slipped out of Malam's hand halfway through their tenure because of the difficulty in balancing theory with practice, their leadership left a record that is yet to be beaten by any governor in this country. In my opinion, the two were the most dedicated, most honest, and most performing governors we ever had since 1978. I think Balarabe, the governor of old Kaduna State, still has only a house, while Rimi could still be considered poor among Nigerian politicians, despite the enormous wealth of the State he governed and the ministerial positions he held at the federal level when the country was neck-deep in corruption.

The contributions of Malam through the influence of his doctrine have moderated the conduct of many Nigerian administrators, academics and politicians. By the time of his death in 1982, he would not have known how long his legacy would last or whether his impact would one day cover the entire Nigerian political landscape.

On 31 December 1983 the last government representing the northern conservatives was toppled. Muhammadu Buhari, then a Major-General in the Nigerian army with NEPU antecedents, became the Head of State. For the next twenty months, the person who became synonymous with discipline and honesty led the country in a manner that could now only be recalled with nostalgia. It is a widely held view that toppling Buhari was the second greatest mistake made by the military in this country; the first obviously was to earlier plunge the country into civil war. Buhari, an alloy of Malam, remains to date not only the symbol but also the champion of those values and ideals which he practiced as Head of State in the 1980s.

When he joined politics in 2002, Buhari won the hearts of the people, and he got every vote except the incumbency vote, which unfortunately in Nigeria is up 60% of the entire votes in the country! He may also be running in 2007, if his party leadership fails to sell his recently acquired presidential ticket to Atiku Abubakar.

Both Malam and Buhari might have lost to incumbency the chance to reach Aso Rock on a political platform. Nevertheless, the establishment, being human, sometimes make mistakes. History, including Nigerian history, is replete with previously underestimated leaders. Haruna Uji, a famous Hausa musician used to say, Kara da kiyashi, daukan maras sani (an ant on a stick will be carried along unknowingly). And we have been praying for such mistakes which change the course of history. If the event of last Sunday is anything to go by, Malam Aminu Kano, might reach the presidency, finally. This may be regarded as an optimistic assessment of the situation. However, given the moment, I would rather choose to side with hope than with despair.

The ruling Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), which we have many times dubbed Peoples Destruction Party, held its convention a week ago and the incumbent President pressed the buttons of incumbency to ensure that Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the present Governor of Katsina State emerged as its presidential nominee. Since I learned through the live comment of AIT that Umaru was a very active member of the PRP my mind has not ceased from thinking or, say, hoping that he will prove the incumbent president wrong. Umaru, I have concluded after listening to and reading many comments, will be on the side of the people when he becomes President, not on the side of the Obasanjo, who hopes to use him as a stooge. The rise of Umaru to Presidency will be the first time that the dream journey of Malam is realized through the ballot box, not withstanding the bourgeois identities of the party that will shove him into power. The colour of our dress, for example, is in no way determined by the colour of our cars or offices.

You see, antecedents are difficult to change. They may be concealed when the circumstances are unsuitable for their manifestations but they will definitely remain entrenched in the conscience. And whenever the person is free to express them, they will naturally surface and take control because conviction is one of the greatest sources of free energy. The Arabs often say man shabby ala shay'in shaba alaih, or simply what the English refer to "old habits die hard." In fact, they hardly die. This is our prayer for Umaru, a prayer that is informed by an extensive analysis of his antecedents and his tenure as Katsina State governor.

Learning that he was an active member of PRP automatically placed him, in my mind, among those who decided to be on the side of the masses when, of course, coming from one of the elite families of Katsina, he had every opportunity to side with oppressors. The PRP, a continuation of NEPU, was ideologically driven, a party of sacrifice for the common good, and the only one that could be said to be a true representative of the left, as the BBC World Service quickly alerted the Western world the day the party won the governorships of Kano and Kaduna in 1979. If it were not for the deliberate bifurcation of Nigerian politics into SDP and NRC, conscientious elements of the PRP like Umaru would have formed a new-PRP. But for lack of space to manoeuvre he joined the SDP which was considered to be 'a bit to the left', as the then president once would put it.

But even before the PRP, Umaru was a member of MPN in his university days. This was an unrepentant leftist students' union under the tutelage of unrepentant Marxist lecturers, like the late Yusuf Bala Usman, who became the Secretary to the PRP Government of Kaduna State. It is true that most of us find it difficult to extricate ourselves from the ideologies we held at that impressionable level of our cognitive development. There was little wonder then that Umaru after graduation could only find PRP most suitable when the country returned to politics in the late 1970s.

Also consider his choice of profession. As a graduate of chemistry at both first and second degree levels Umaru did not choose to work for a pharmaceutical or oil company; neither did he use his family position to acquire a lucrative office in the civil service, despite the position of his powerful elder brother, Shehu, who was the second in command when Obasanjo was a military Head of State. Umaru chose to be a lecturer, clearly in emulation of his ideological mentors back in the university.

Then came his grassroots approach to politics when he was in SDP . Early this week, Mahmud Jega, a former lecturer colleague of mine and now editor of the influential Daily Trust, wrote extensively on this part of Umaru (Back cover of Daily Trust, Monday 18 December 2006 ). Umaru is a politician who thought the vote of every commoner was important, going by Jega's account, so he took every pain to meet him at his habitat. The same commitment was repeated when he contested under the PDP in 1999, sometimes reaching remote hamlets alone, after his campaign team remained behind after reaching the brink of collapse. Up to that point in his political career, I cannot find any reason to justify the claim that Umaru has betrayed his leftist background.

Nor was there any reason, other than modesty and caution, for Jega to title his piece Many sides of Yar'Adua, because, candidly I could not see any side other than the PRP side in his narration, notwithstanding his mention of some "controversial"  stories of the bad conduct of some business "moguls" who are close to Umaru. But, Jega, being himself a leftist from head to toe, knows very well that Umaru was the closest person to the left among our present governors. Let us dwell on this a bit, for, as al-Mutanabbi would put it, the values in objects are better appreciated in contrast.

Umaru, as the present governor of Katsina state, run his office with the same modesty one would expect from Malam Aminu Kano or Buhari. Jega told us that as a guest to the governor, he was served a plate of white rice with two pieces of meat. Contrast this with the sumptuous dishes that are served to guests of other governors daily in a wasteful manner. He also told us how he was sweating at the governor's personal residence, along with the governor, after the lights went out during an interview. Upon inquiry from Jega, Umaru – the governor – explained that for fear of corruption, he would not like to accustom his family to a luxury he cannot afford later. Here, I think not only Marx, but also Umar al-Khattab, will doff his hat at the humility of Umaru. Contrast him with other governors who are spending hundreds of millions in erecting personal homes, guest houses and chalets for themselves, their families and guests.

Then it is also noted that he is not on the list of governors investigated for corruption by the EFCC. It is not surprising because, if we may ask, what has Ribadu got to investigate in a plate of danwake or white rice, or in a house that does not even have a generator. Rather, we should charge Umaru with the offence of stacking the treasury with over six billion naira at a time when other governors are already indebted to the tune of over twenty billion naira, five months to the end of their tenure.

Those governors have carted away with billions from their treasuries and squandered several more. It is not surprising, therefore, that none of them considered Umaru worth befriending. They did not keep his telephone number, up to two weeks ago. (Now they do, I believe). None of them ever invited him to commission a project in his state; and none of them ever thought he would even dream of becoming a presidential nominee of the PDP. We can go on and on.

These are the reasons why I still think Umaru is on our side. There is no doubt that in the struggle to maintain his control over his domain, given the type of party he belongs to and the parasitic nature of our elite, he might have committed some errors here and there, which will surely be exaggerated by the elite. Some people might have taken advantage of their proximity to him. But Umaru is human, like all of us, like Marx, like Umar. But I doubt how many people critical of him would live up to his ideals if they were to be in his position. So I deliberately chose to be interested in that thread of ideology that has manifested itself in his humility, honesty and sense of accountability. I think it is strong enough to weave a cord of hope, not that of despair.

Clearly Obasanjo did not study closely the antecedents of Umaru. Rather, the President misinterpreted his simplicity and honesty for docility or even foolishness – the governor's refusal to steal and squander when called upon to do so by both opportunity and time. The President hopes to remain in power by proxy of Umaru.

Some readers may accuse me of ideological deregulation given that in the above rendering of Umaru, I chose to sacrifice the means for the end, or elevated prospect over process. I am, they will contend, unmindful of the bourgeois motive, structure, forces and process through or by which he was nominated and may subsequently become president. But I want such readers to realise that, as I said before, it takes just a small mistake in the political process to change the course of history. In nature too, it takes a single mutation out of a billion others to change the future identity of a species.

They should also realise that I did not justify the means, though, truly, I might have welcome its end. I only see in this mutant the prospect of a better future for the common man whom, I hope, will clog the machine of the ongoing poverty aggravating programs. More importantly, however, these prospects compel us to encourage Umaru by reminding him of his noble ideological background, his history as an activist on campus as well as his good practices in government. This is the approach that God adopted initially in addressing the Children of Israel in the Qur'an, in spite of their age long defiance. Umaru deserves our support not condemnation. I once praised him over his generous contribution to the establishment of School of Basic and Remedial Studies, Funtua. He sunk over half a billion in the project when other governors could not even pay the paltry sum of N15million that they each pledged. Where the prospect is bright, a leader deserves applause more than censure.

In conclusion, I will say, either way, Malam Aminu Kano must be smiling from the grave, knowing that one of his disciples, Buhari or Umaru, is about to occupy the highest office in the country. While we wish both of them the best in campaign and office, we will continue to pray that God grants Malam eternal peace.

[HUSNAA]

Please speak for yourself. You might have enjoyed being flogged in the streets by Buhari's goons whilst he was in power but for most of us, his war against "indisplin" was one of the darker periods in Nigeria's history.

I'm sure you would consider it as one of the darker periods in Nigeria's history....all  unscrupulous ppl in Nigeria looked at it that way. If one was a good citizen during his regime, one would not consider it a dark period in retrospect.

[lionger]

Please speak for yourself. You might have enjoyed being flogged in the streets by Buhari's goons whilst he was in power but for most of us, his war against "indisplin" was one of the darker periods in Nigeria's history.

I'm sure you would consider it as one of the darker periods in Nigeria's history....all  unscrupulous ppl in Nigeria looked at it that way. If one was a good citizen during his regime, one would not consider it a dark period in retrospect.

So in other words, you are saying that guest33 is an unscrupulous character

Seriously, this ain't right. You can't label guest33 as 'unscrupulous'  and a bad citizen just because he did not fancy Buhari's regime. Is Soyinka also a bad citizen? Buhari certainly took things too far back then esp. with his Decree Nos. 2 and 4. Moreover, his shunning of the Oputa panel did not do him any good in my book. He may be one of the few past leaders with some integrity, but I believe we can still do better.