http://www.politikalnigerian.com/buharis-walk-on-awolowos-path/

He is known as the people’s general judging by the millions of poor northern population that can go hysterical just by show of a fist, clenched with the support of that very thin but powerful hand of his. To some, he is the fearless, incorruptible, honest hardliner who would rather see a corrupt man behind bars for the rest of his life rather than have him spend some years and then regain his freedom to spend his loot. He is one with past records of brilliant performance as a soldier, as a Minister, Head of State, NNPC Chairman, and PTF chairman. To others, he is a memory of the past governments we want to move away from, a religious bigot, a serial contestant in Presidential elections, a human right abuser, and one that must not sit, ever again, as the head of this country, in whatever garment he is wearing. To me, General Buhari is the most divisive political Figure in Nigeria and the most talked about opposition leader in Nigeria’s history, after Obafemi Awolowo! Wow, I think I have this reader’s attention now. Yes, and what about this? General Buhari is about to have this same verdict written on his to-be condolence register, just like the late sage, ‘The best president Nigeria never had’.

I was not even close to God’s plan to have me in this world when Chief Obafemi Awolowo created a history in the Old Western Region that still lives in my three decades of existence. And I was told as an under-10 to watch out for his iconic eyeglasses in the full moon, which I did confirm within my imagination. I am not in any way in the top 1 million people to comment on the political history of the late sage, but I will still proceed to go beyond that and use it as a reference to the subject matter of today, restricting myself to politics only. Just to write safe!

With due respect to the octogenarian Awoists, as children, we were told Chief Obafemi Awolowo could not become Nigeria’s president because he was a Yoruba tribalist who wanted Federal Power to further the interest of his tribe. We were told stories of how he tried to be prime minister of Nigeria with block votes of the South West and some pocket of votes from elsewhere. We were told he made Igbos to feed on lizards during the Biafra war due to his economic blockade of the South East, and we were told how he contested to lead the country thrice, the last in his 70’s, and all with block votes of the South West secured for him! These stories we listened to with great interest as children, and we believed them, especially the tribal tag, when we sight that big frying metal the Yoruba’s named ‘Agbari Ojukwu’, a derisive name given to one of the most ugly cooking tools I have ever seen my life till this day. Now I am old enough to think and reflect on those stories to confirm if they still do make sense or they were just made up.

Some questions?

How come Chief Obafemi Awolowo never appealed to other political regions of the country?

How come the ruling class including his own man, Obasanjo, never felt comfortable with him as president?

How come only the South West gave him block votes in all presidential elections, only stretching a little further in the famous political battle with Shehu Shagari in the 2nd republic?

How come many outside his tribe could not see beyond his breathtaking performance in the old western regions as Premier and as a War time Cabinet Minister?

How come some of his public statements were misunderstood by other tribes, the most popular and divisive one still had Achebe seething with anger in his eighties?

How come he remains celebrated in death only by the people of the South West?

How come the greatest literary mind out of the South East, Chinua Achebe, could still accuse him of genocide even when he was in his 80’s, decades after the civil war?

These questions have their answers embedded in them, and they are confirmation of what I was told as a kid. The following fiction, facts, or fantasy remain same till this day. Non Yoruba’s viewed Obafemi Awolowo as tribal leader for doing so much for his tribe, for doing so little to feed the Igbo’s during the war, and for daring to be in the opposition against the North in the first republic. Non Yoruba’s placed his tribalism above his good performance in determining if he could rule Nigeria or not. The ruling political class hated him for his independence, intelligence, performance and records. The SAGE contested all elections even when it was so sure only the South West will deliver the bulk of the votes!

Enough said of the Sage. Let’s come to the land of living to check on General Mohammadu Buhari, the man who is walking the same path Obafemi Awolowo created. Buhari’s records, good or bad, are everywhere, so no need to waste letters on that. Let’s just connect the dots.

Awolowo contested Presidential elections 3 times and lost, rigging or no rigging; Buhari has contested 3 Presidential Elections and lost, rigging or no rigging

In all presidential elections contested, Awolowo secured the block votes of his tribal region and got few votes from other regions; in all presidential elections contested, Buhari secured the block votes of his tribal region and got few votes from other regions

The old corrupt ruling class of this country never allowed Awolowo to rule Nigeria; the new corrupt ruling class will never allow Buhari to rule Nigeria.

Awolowo was stigmatized as a tribalist by other tribes, due to some of his actions and quotes, either understood or misunderstood; Buhari is presently stigmatized as tribalist and Islamist, due to some of his actions and quotes, either well intended or expressed in a wrong way.

Awolowo contested his last Presidential election in his 70’s; Buhari is about to contest yet another one, now in his 70’s!

Awolowo was known for infrastructural revolution in the old Western Region and his excellent management of available resources, but as far as Nigeria was concerned, his tribalism was enough to get him out of Federal seat of power; Buhari is known for the biggest infrastructural revolution ever done in less than 4 years as PTF Chairman, made possible by his excellent management of available resources – more of leftovers from Abacha’s looting – but as far as Nigeria is concerned, his tribalism and religious extremism are blockers to his rise to Aso Rock!

And both never helped the matter at hand now and then, contesting and believing the cult followership in their respective regions will get them to be Nigeria’s President. But there is one clear difference at this point, one is dead and has lost the opportunity for good, the other is living and still has his last chance in 2015. This is what will determine if Buhari will follow Awolowo to the grave as the best president Nigeria never had. From all indications, it is not clear. The APC arrangement sounds like Buhari is learning from Awolowo’ s mistake by digging deep into another powerful region, Tinubu’s South West, for block votes that will merge those 12 million votes from his tribal stronghold. The recent utterances on Boko Haram and the state of emergency – quoted or misquoted – indicates however, that Buhari has not learnt a single lesson from what his enemies, the ruling elite, have done to his brand and image, just like they did to Awolowo.

2011 saw the Buhari brand redefined by young, vibrant Nigerians outside his region, and he had the best performance ever in a presidential election, thanks to those young Nigerians who focused on his strength rather than his weakness. The Post-2011 election violence, for which he plays no part – if he did, ICC would have been on his case by now – has damaged his brand further, and his recent utterances are doing no good to that brand. 2015 is Buhari’s last chance, and except a miracle happens or something never done in brand marketing is deployed, Buhari will end up another Awolowo. Nigerians will never sacrifice a little perception of Islamism and tribalism they have on a candidate for his truckloads of honesty, records of past excellent performances, integrity, and passion to change Nigeria. It did not happen with Awolowo, I doubt Buhari can break that jinx.

Oh! I must also pen down one other thing they had in common, Awolowo never groomed a successor and supported him for President even in his 70’s; Buhari is still not seeing the stage can be left for a successor groomed by him in his 70’s! Maybe this is where Buhari must clearly define his path and end it on another note. Leave the public, political commentaries to the young ones – as he is always misunderstood; spend more time in searching and grooming a successor who shares none of your stigma but all of your virtues; withdraw from 2015 presidential election primaries without any prodding; and give the stage to your successor. Make sure you stand beside him in every corner of the North to tell your cult followers to vote for him, make sure he gets the backing of Tinubu and South West, and make sure he gets the nod of Rochas Okorocha, Adams Oshiomole, Rotimi Ameachi to secure a chunk of South South and South East. And when he wins, and defeats your enemy PDP, celebrate with him and bless him. Do this, and maybe we can then write on your condolence register, ‘Here Lies a man who gave Nigeria the best President she ever had’. Your cult followership, 12 million votes, ability to say no this time to the presidential ticket, and sustaining the yes on building bridges with ACN and ANPP can make you what you need to become.

Please let someone tell him, if he will listen though, as rigidity is also one of the many stigmas placed on him!



Check www.Politikalnigerian.com for more articles.