One issue that has dominated contemporary Nigerian politics is religion, especially electioneering periods. The emergence of General Mohammadu Buhari on the political land scape in 2003 had altered the political chemistry of search for leadership. It provided credible opposition to the grand style mafia-like leadership which monopolized power for the benefits of a comprador class. As a result, there has been a paradigm shift from issues related politics to triviality of religion and ethnicity.
As a patriotic leader with passion for his nation, General Buhari has remained focus despite frustrating electoral experiences. His commitments to democracy can be measured by his resilience for the rule of law demonstrated in the legal battles for flawed electoral processes. Each time General subscribed to public pressure for a contest the phobia of "islamization of Nigeria" is mobilized as weapon by his opponents. While these issues are unheard of if another Muslim is contesting the presidential election.
Ironically, General Buhari contested the 2007 elections with a fellow Muslim Umaru Musa Yaradua and Pastor Chris Okotie, yet, the religious card was manipulated against him while Pastor Okotie, a Christian was also rejected by his constituents that are victims of Islamization stereotype. At Inaugural ceremony on the 29th May 2007, Yar'adua admitted publicly that "the election was flawed" but promised political reforms. Sadly, when the results of the election was challenged by General Buhari, the decision of the apex court remains a judicial contradiction which still hunts the nation till date.
Admitting but not conceding that there is mutual mistrust between the two dominant faiths, but can General Muhammadu Buhari as elected President Islamize Nigeria? How can this be achieved under constitutional democracy? Will the National Assembly be abolished or all the members to be elected will be Muslims to set the tone of Islamization agenda? Is there any constitutional power vested on the President of Nigeria to suo motu for making such declarations? What will become of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended? Will General Muhammadu Buhari islamized his vice, Pastor Osibanjo, Rotimi Ameachi, John Oyegun, Rochas Okorocha and all Christian members of his party, the APC?. These questions remain unanswered to a rational thinking mind.
If it is easy to declare Nigeria a religious state why has President Goodluck Jonathan not declare it a Christian state, judging by his passion for manipulating religion for electoral advantage? Under Jonathan presidency religion has been ascribed electoral value used by public officials as credential to gain public responsibilities. Although few Nigerians has bought wholesale this sentiments based on media misrepresentation of General Buhari's messages in the past suggesting that he is a violent personality who instigated his supporters to resist rigging with violence. The PDP government accused him of vowing to make the country ungovernable if not elected in 2011. Therefore, the failure of Jonathan's presidency is cheaply attributed to this statement. Can all these statements be taken as true reflection of the personality of General Buhari? Certainly, I don't think it is.
Prof Tam David West, Air Com. Bernard Banfa, Major General Paul Tarfa and host of others too numerous to mention have been close Christians allies of the General throughout his military career but they have not converted them to Islam? Buhari maintained cordial relationships with Christians some of them he has not personally met yet he is referred to as an Islamic fanatic. Amongst his personal aides, there are so many Christians who are excused from work on Sundays to enable them discharge their religious obligations. In General Buhari's office, secularity is observed while freedom is jealously guided.
As a person I met General Buhari for the first time early August 2014 after the bomb attack, when in company of Northern Elders we visited him. When I was introduced he stood up immediately, advanced towards me with an amazing smile saying "you are a true Nigerian who love peace" General Buhari continued, "it's because of you that I acquired a transistor radio and now your fan. He further stated that "I thought you are an elderly person but you are younger, may God grant you long life," he prayed.
Two years ago, Buhari developed a tradition of calling me on Christmas day to wish me happy celerations. He will call immediately I returned from Church and introduce himself as "Muhammadu Buhari" followed by good will message. Can a fanatic call a Christian that he didn't even know on a religious occasion to exchange pleasantries? Did he owe me any obligations to do that and in any case did he know me then? Personally, Iam not convince why Buhari is associated with religious extremism.
Fanatical Muslims have no accommodation for sister beliefs talk more of associating with them, anything contrary to their convictions is abominable. The commonest characteristics of fanaticism is intolerant to alternative opinions or beliefs. Is General Muhammadu Buhari like that? I thought if Buhari is a fanatic who seek power to Islamize Nigeria then he should have done that when himself and his deputy were both Northern Muslims. General Buhari fought Maitasine insurgents in Bulunkutu and Jimeta-Yola in the then Borno and Gongola States and defeated them, will it be fair to refer to such a personify as fanatical?
So what is wrong and who is afraid of Buhari? Generally, charisma is an exceptional leadership charm which remains a threat at all times. Captain Thomas Sankara was assassinated in Burkina Faso in 1987 because of charismatic leadership. Indeed General Buhari is a charismatic leader so benevolent with humility. A man with impeccable integrity that is transparent, honest and patriotic. Quite accommodating but intolerant to injustice and corruption. General Muhammadu Buhari is not an angel but he is an exceptional leader with over whelming character strength.
Of course, Buhari will be threat in a corrupt system with clueless political leadership like ours where national development has been compromised for personal aggrandizement. Therefore, religion and ethnicity becomes viable mischief instrument for creation of phobia in people as justification for non performance. The over mystification of General Muhammadu Buhari with bigotry orchestrated by hate campaigns is a mere ploy to scare the people from discovering his leadership charisma. This deceit is calculated at entrenching strong grip of Nigerian leadership by parochial power cult at the expense of insecurity, corruption, unemployment abject poverty.
Despite unprecedented attacks on his person in the 2015 electioneering campaigns by his opponents, Buhari maintained calm by resisting the temptation of joining issues, rather he concentrated on populist oriented approach which targeted redemption of the nation from political doldrums. There are over thirty legal suits sponsored to disqualify him which are yet decided by the courts, his age has also been used as an issue which instead turned out to be an advantage because the nation required matured leadership desperately. Also, his opponents made mountain out of ants hill of his health status which produced no benefits since General Buhari exhibited more strength in his campaigns by traversing over 35 states of Nigeria without any incidence of medical retreat.
Even the postponement of polls turned out to be blessing in disguise for Buhari due to massive defections of prominent political elements from the opposing camps. As result, the incumbent adopted dollar rain approach where major votes concentrated areas were bombarded with the American white notes, instead of bomber electoral harvest it escalated more damage to opponents camp as evidence of irresponsibility because salaries of public servants have been unattended for months. Therefore, it became an avenue for dispossession of a wicked man with dangerous political weapon but I sincerely doubt the potency of the dollar rain.
I may be wrong but convinced that Nigeria at this critical stage need a leader like General Muhammadu Buhari whose compassion for the nation is exemplified by not only charisma but also a non materialistic personally driven by selfless desire to serve. There is no doubt that from the body language of the nation Buhari will emerge victorious against all odds from the presidential polls. It is trite that, destiny can only be delayed but certainly not denied, which is what is playing out. Here come Mr President.
Solomon Dalung, LLB, BL, LLM
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