GENERAL BUHARI AND 2007

Many Nigerians believed if the 2003 election was free and fair General Muhammadu Buhari would by 29-May-2007 finish his first tenure in office as democratically elected Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. General Buhari faulted the election result until the Supreme Court decided the election in favour of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the winner of 2003 election.

Undaunted by the events of 2003 elections General Buhari has become more infected with passion for democratic governance. He is also among the contenders to take over from President Obasanjo in 2007.The Election of 2007 will be more tougher and difficult than the 2003 election as the fore-front Presidential contenders will be from the North, General Buhari’ constituency coupled with his still contesting on the platform of opposition party ANPP.

General Buhari have many odds and hurdles to cross even before been able to be presented as his party presidential candidate. Governors Ahmad Sani and Bukar Abba who in 2003 are among his campaigners are also now in the race to clinch the party presidential ticket. There is also Alhaji Bashir Tofa and other candidates that will keep on emerging before the ANPP presidential convention. How will General Buhari contend with these ANPP governors and others that are seeking the presidential ticket under his party platform?

The recent concluded ANPP convention expose clearly that General Buhari has no hold on ANPP as all eighteen of his candidates lost out to the well organized plan of the ANPP governors to denied Buhari firm grip on the party. And this clearly shows that the ANPP governors might have their plan succeed if they have their way to defeat Buhari in ANPP presidential convention and put in place one of their own to be the party flag bearer.

Political commentators and analyst though that General Buhari should decamp from ANPP to either join another party or seek for his own party registration. But Buhari had made it clear that he will remain in ANPP and under it shall he seek the ticket to contest the 2007 election.

The soul of ANPP lies in people’s love and support for General Buhari. This will give Buhari the upper hand against other contenders for the presidential ticket. General Buhari will have the opportunity to emerge as ANPP presidential candidate as the party does not have any credible candidate than him and any maneuvering will spell doom for the party.

The General’s hold in ANPP is still facing other odds as even from his home town in Daura some large group of his supporters had left ANPP to other parties. Even Senator Kanti Bello who was among the people that convince Buhari into politics had parted way with him. Also some of his die-hard supporters in 2003 elections had deserted the General for greener pasture in the political terrain.

Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Adamu Modibbo, Sergeant Awuse, Gen. Bashir Magashi, Mohammed Kumalia, Khairat Gwadabe, Gbenga Aluko, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Don Etiebet, Governors Bafarawa and Turaki, Paul Unongo, many Senators and Members of House of Representatives e.t.c had all left the fold of Buhari’s ANPP due to one problem or the other. Buhari also could not solve the political crisis within the ANPP in Kano, which had divided the Kano ANPP into two factions one led by Buhari die-hard supporter Alhaji Haruna Ahmadu Zago and the other faction led by Alhaji Sani Hashim Hotoro backed by Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

The 2007 election will be the best chance for General Buhari to emerge winner if he fully utilize his opportunities Two of the fore-front contenders Vice President Atiku Abubakar and General Ibrahim Babangida are facing moral questions. With the PTDF scandal Atiku Abubakar is facing it would be hard for him to cross that hurdle coupled with the suspension hanging on him by his party the P.D.P. As for General Babangida most of his campaign will be based on explaining to Nigerians so many questions that for long they wanted to find the answers.

As for most ANPP governors, Buhari will be spare of their mischief, as EFCC will definitely take care of them especially those seeking for elective posts in 2007 elections. The 2007 presidential election is likely to be between General Buhari and the boys especially as comedians and court jesters are also parading themselves as presidential aspirants.

Buhari also can exploit the virgin South-west through picking his Vice President from the zone .He needed a block vote from South west, if he picks the right man, they will surely vote him en-mass due to their nature of politics. The South-south is now unpredictable and South –east is unreliable.

2007 election might be the last chance for Buhari to participate actively in democracy by seeking elective office. It is a duty and a challenge to him to emerge successfully, he should concentrated fully through planning and political flexibility so as to realize his dream to return to helm of affairs and implement his vision for Nigeria.

The Masses are now more wiser and vigilant as they will be very selective in who they will vote for, being that General Buhari has said he will remain in ANPP does not mean that any contester under the platform of ANPP will be elected. Many politicians that benefited from the masses support for Buhari in 2003 have gone against their own people.

General Muhammadu Buhari was able to be the masses hero during the 2003 elections, will he be able to sustain that support in 2007? Only time will tell if the masses will once again troop out on election date to cast their votes for him.

Shehu Mustapha Chaji