Obstacles to Buhari's Presidency
By Balarabe Maikaba
Centre for Cultural & Media Studies, University of Natal, Durban, Republic of South Africa
201512486@stu.und.ac.za

It is no longer news that General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), former military Head of state reputable for his sense of patriotism, responsibility and no nonsense approach to issues has join party politics after an intense lobby and persuasion by well meaning Nigerians.

Gen. Buhari's entry into the political arena the same day incumbent President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo declared his intention to re-contest or seek re-election in 2003 is significant in view of Gen. Buhari's reputation and massive bearing in northern Nigeria and beyond. There is no doubt Gen. Buhari may turned out as the greatest threat to Aremu's ambition. His enviable record and credible performance during his brief tenure as Head of state, and his excellent performance in the PTF are unmatched to Obasanjo's bracada leadership.

The mere mention of Buhari in some quarters may be unsettling and upsetting. This is because he represents uprightness, sincerity, sense of purpose and patriotism. Despite the attempt by the Obasanjo government to nail him down when PTF was put on trial Gen. Buhari came out clean without any proof of wrong doing. Indeed, the neglected and downtrodden northern masses are excited about Gen. Buhari's decision to join party politics. To them the saviour had arrive. His brief appearance at the Maitama Sule book launch in Kano some weeks back is a testimony to Buhari's popularity. Despite all these, the Buhari for President project may be sabotage by those whose interests and aspirations are beyond the general well being of our society. The greatest obstacle which the Buhari campaign team must contend with if he decides to contest is the Obasanjo incumbency threat.

The government is hell bent despite heavy opposition to return to Aso Rock in the usual African fashion of "tazarce". This could be understood in some of the actions the government took as regards the controversial electoral bill, its lingering crisis with members of the lower parliament and the appointment of Abel Gboubadia as INEC chairman instead of the more experienced Alhaji Shehu Musa, the Makama Nupe as earlier speculated. The electoral bill which earlier was drafted along the interest of the government was partially amended. In the case of INEC, the stringent and uncompromising registration guidelines for new political parties is a testimony of government reluctance through their agents. These and many more machinations are what the Buhari team must be on the look out for. Another stumbling factor to Buhari's presidential bid, if he decides to contest, is the opposition from his northern kins. The northern elites comprising the feudal establishment, the military class, retired and serving civil servants and the bourgeoisie class are covertly against Buhari's second coming. Their bone of contention is that the General is rigidly uncompromising in his principles and is head strong on money matters.

They need someone that is flexible and unconcerned about the treasury. If therefore, they had to support Buhari's bid, it must be at their own terms and conditions. Another opposition to Buhari presidency is the rotational presidency thing which the Igbos are vigorously pursuing. Despite the fact that the Igbos didn't win any June 12 election they insist on being rewarded like the Yorubas. The northern people had for long realised the mistake made as regards the undemocratic surrender of power through rotation. There is nothing like that in a genuine democracy. Thus, while northerners are counting on their losses as a result of the unthinkable compromise, the Igbos are blindly clamouring for a repeat of such error. While one must reason with the Igbo desperation for president in view of their long time sidelining as they claimed, they must learn from the politics of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola. For it was the late Abiola who broke the barrier of north/south differences and emerged winner in a real democratic contest. It may sound defeatist on the part of the Igbos to insist power must be surrendered to them when those who initiated it rotation in the first instance are regretting, in view of the dangers it poses on us. The Igbos must strive, if they are true democrats to penetrate the political parties and mount a credible candidate who can cut across the Nigerian barriers and be supported by all Nigerians, of all creeds.

The era of undemocratic compromise under the guise of rotational presidency as far the northern entity is OVER. At the level of external influence Gen. Buhari will contend with the ultimate. It is a known fact that the General is never in the good books of Western nations particularly the US and Britain. Both nations currently the global police had one misunderstanding or the other with Buhari's regime. Infact, speculation was making the rounds that the CIA was behind the overthrow of the Buhari/Idiagbon government through their friends and agents in the military. And I'm of the opinion that Buhari's stand on these countries who collaborated to destroy the base of our economy is unbending. Whether such obstacles and others not mentioned could be overcome lies with the Almighty Who gives power to any body He deems fit.