Malachy Uzendu
4 November 2009
Abuja — Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2007 general elections, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), yesterday said it was uncharitable for the government to brand him a rabble rouser, even as he insisted that President Umaru Yar'Adua does not possess the capacity to move Nigeria forward.
Reacting to government's position on his comments on fuel scarcity in the country, Buhari who spoke through one of his aides, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said it would be wrong for him to remain silent when things are going wrong in the country.
He said the country was at a crossroads and needs a more pragmatic leader to fix the rot in the system.
He said: "General Buhari is not a noise maker; a rabble rouser and is not given to trivialities. However like most patriots, democrats and elder statesmen, he cannot in the best African tradition fold his arms and watch our dear country Nigeria dangerously slide into a failed state.
"That Nigeria is at cross-roads, in a cliff-hanger and needs someone to fix it and to halt the dangerous slide is not in doubt. Accordingly, what is needed today is not name calling, but sober reflection on why Nigeria is still in the dark, notwithstanding the over $3 trillion of oil and gas proceeds which accrued to the country between 1999 and 2008.
"It is on record that countries with scant resources have uninterrupted electricity supply, refine their petroleum products, maintain efficient social services and have no serial cases of kidnapping. On the same note, as petroleum minister, Buhari constructed one and made sure that other refineries were operating in full capacity. As head of state, he negotiated our foreign debt down form $18 billion to $4 billion, refused to be compromised or corrupted and returned Nigeria to the path of a disciplined nation.
His records in Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) speak for themselves, as hospitals, roads and water projects executed by PTF stood the test of time.
"General Buhari since his advent into partisan politics has imbibed the core democratic credentials which made reject all entreaties to embark on mass action that could make this country un-governable.
"Rather than hearken to the clarion call of millions of his supporters to ground the country and abandon the rule of law, he patiently and painstakingly spent 30 months and 18 months in court post 2003 and 2007 elections respectively.
"General Buhari in league with other progressive democrats is only working towards repositioning and reinventing Nigeria as a true giant of Africa; where the welfare and security of the citizenry are guaranteed.
"He believes in Nigeria, believes that Nigerians can prudently manage refineries, power stations and that Nigeria under a transparent and efficient government can be transformed into a great nation," Okechukwu said.
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The report credited to Former Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2007 general elections, Rtd General Muhammadu Buhar that President Umaru Yar' Adua does not possess the capacity to move Nigeria forward is uncharitable. His case is likened to a pot calling the kettle black, especially that Buhari is a member of the Council of State.
I doubt if his spokesman, Osita, was sincere with the catalogue of the past records of Buhari that he gave. It must be told that Buhari has never been known to have the muscles to provide the right leadership in all the places he had the opportunities. Should we mention the case of missing N2.8 million Nigeria's oil money when he was the Minister of Petroleum that was exposed during the succesive administration of Alhaj Shehu Shagari by late Prof Ayodele Awojobi in 1982 when Ofodile was the solicitor for the NNPC.
The can of worms that was exposed by Late Awojobi was hurriedly buried no sooner that Buhari became Head of State in 1985 through appointment of Ofodile as the Attorney General for the Federation. What eventually became of the Buhari-Idiagbon junta of 1983-85? Was Buhari ever in control of that administration? Did Buhari provide a better leadership over the trio of Gen IB Babangida, Late Major Gen Tunde Idiagbon and Late Gen Sani Abacha who were more visible despite operating in worlds of their own while the tenure of that junta lasted.
Gen Muhammadu Buhari used to be a major antagonist to political rule in Nigeria and a personality that never hid his prejudice for other religions except Islam. Someone like me never expected that anything can come forth from the Buhari Presidency within ANPP. Even, if PDP chooses to be magnanimous to donate their Presidential slot to Buhari in 2011, everyone will see that his candidacy is not a good brand that will make any impact in the political arena.
General Buhari should please withdraw to the background and forget further ambition for ascension to the leadership of Nigeria. His antecedents do not favour him as a calibre fit to deliver good leadership nor stewardship desired of a nation's President in this 21st century. He is better off, to continue to warm seat along with his other members of the Council of State - that is a more honourable place for him.