Buhari
Against his avowal during the 2011 presidential election that he would never contest for the office of president in Nigeria, the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has made a volt face. He now says he would yet contest the same seat he has lost thrice in the 2015 general elections.
Many had wondered why Buhari who is generally perceived as a principled man who is not flippant with his tongue would go back on his word, Nigeria Political Economist can authoritatively reveal that Buhari’s change of mind was sequel to repeated appeal from some Northern elements, mostly elders from across party lines, who see him as the most credible candidate from that part of the country. According to the source who was a former PDP member but who is now a chieftain of the CPC, the candidacy of Buhari is the only sure ticket through which the North will wrest power from the south.
Nigerians voted massively for Jonathan during the 2011 election but the people are yet to get any value for their vote as most of the policies of his government appear to be anti-people . The increase in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariffs are some of the policies seen as anti-people.
Buhari had told the crowd of his supporters in Kaduna that he would not quit politics, adding: “I am still in until the polity is sanitised and people enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government.”The CPC leader also pledged to ensure that the party continued to field credible candidates at the polls. He urged party supporters to close ranks for victory in future elections.
Buhari advised security agencies, the judiciary and INEC to exhibit a high degree of professionalism and patriotism at all times for the progress of the country.
He also urged youths to shun acts of violence, thuggery and money politics to make their future better. Buhari enjoined the people to canvass for their rights by emulating Nasarawa and other areas where CPC triumphed. Buhari has been a serial loser in Nigeria’s presidential election history. He is seen as dictatorial even in his party but some people still believe he is the only one to cleanse Nigeria of its greatest tragedy: corruption.
In 2003, he contested against former President Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He lost by a wide margin and spent many months, seeking legal victory.
In 2007, Buhari again emerged ANPP’s Presidential candidate after much bickering.
He lost again to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Buhari as usual headed to court to seek redress. The legal tussle dragged for months. Many of his loyalists and party members started querying the wisdom in the prolonged court case. Some opted for the lure of Government of National Unity (GNU) from Yar’Adua. Buhari shunned the idea of GNU even when entreaties from his running mate, Edwin Ume-Ezeoke suggested otherwise.
