Lagos — Muhammadu Buhari, a retired army general, is the only candidate in the 2007 election with a previous record as Nigerian head of state. He headed a military regime from 1984 to 1985, and is now seeking election as the candidate of the All Nigerian Peoples' Party (ANPP). But his past seems to have caught up with him, as many in the press have reminded voters of the severity of the regime he led with an iron fist.
It all seems fair game in a country notorious for political mudslinging. Buhari appears to have provided his detractors with plenty of material. For weeks now, self-styled NGOs and "pro-democracy" groups have launched a national media assault on the 64-year-old Katsina native. For example, the African Democratic Development Initiative (ADDI) is buying newspaper inserts to include photographs of the Buhari's regime victims.
The aim of the campaign is to reach out to the younger voters, many of whom didn't experience the Buhari years. Voters are reminded that the regime arbitrary confiscated the passports of two prominent politicians of the time (Obafemi Awolo and Nnamdi Azikiwe), denying them the freedom to travel overseas.
That same year, several state governors received severe prison sentences from military tribunals of dubious legality. Such was the case of governors Barkin Zuwo of Kano (sentenced to 69 years in prison), Bisi Onabanjo of Lagos (22 years), and Ambrose Alli of the former state of Bendel (which today has been broken into Edo, Ondo, Delta, and Ekiti), who was sentenced 21 years.
ADDI also reminds voters of the regime's attack on religious leaders, such as "Oba" Okunade Sijuwade, the Oni (king) of Ife, and lhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano. The regime placed both leaders under house arrest for six months for an "unauthorized" trip to Israel.
Likewise, the Nigerian Salvation Project, another NGO, warns of the return of another military man to power. It has printed promotional materials saying "Enough" in Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, the three most popular languages of the country. In a photo montage, it lines up the five generals who have ruled Nigeria from 1984 onwards - Buhari (1984-85), Ibrahim Babangida (1985-93), Sani Abacha (1993-1998), Abdusalami Abubacar (1998-99) and Olesegun Obasanjo (1999-2007), although the current president was duly elected as a civilian.
Other groups take a more nuanced approach, calling on voters to "forgive, not forget" Buhari's past.
But the harsh criticism of Buhari is not deterring his followers, particularly those in the North, where ANPP captured four states during last week's gubernatorial and state assembly elections. They view the regime's perceived excesses as harsh but necessary steps dictated by the context.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
They also point out that Buhari has high morals and great personal integrity, which the country can benefit from. Indeed unlike many other leaders of the country (including the outgoing president), Buhari's name has never been associated with a scandal, corruption-related or otherwise.
For Chief Georges Moghalu, former ANPP secretary general, Buhari is the man of the moment, badly needed to restore public confidence in a federal government tainted with indictments and embezzlement scandals. Moghalu said Buhari no doubt will be elected if voters care about moral values and public integrity. Buhari also enjoys the support of many in the army, who admire his discipline.
With the late arrival of Atiku Abubakar in the race under the Action Congress ticket, Buhari may have a clearer shot at the presidency, given that the outgoing vice president, a founding member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), will likely take away some of the votes intended for Umaru Yar'Adua, the party nominee. Whether voters intend to forgive and vote for Buhari remains to be seen.
