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Friday, March 29, 2024

Opinion: Between Buhari’s Clannishness And Nigeria’s Diversity

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by Muazu Madaki

That Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural country is not in doubt. That is why the major theme of any political discourse in Nigeria is unity in diversity. As far back as 1957, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who later became Nigeria’s first and only prime minister at independence, entitled his speech after the motion on Nigeria’s independence was passed at the House of Representatives ‘Unity and diversity in independence’.

In the speech, Sir Abubakar, among other things, said “To us in Nigeria . . . unity in diversity is a source of great strength, and we must do all in our power to see that this federal system of government is strengthened and maintained.”

The founding fathers of Nigeria appreciated the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria and did everything possible to preserve it. Each respected the views or identity of the other. They all had a world view that was global or at least national. None of them worked against the interest of Nigeria or voted against Nigeria on any African or global issue.

But General Muhammadu Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress is different. He is one person who, despite rising to the level of general in the Nigerian military and becoming a head of state, has had a very provincial view of Nigeria. He never sees Nigeria beyond the prism of of his Fulani heritage. He had exhibited clannishness in a way that is very surprising and in fact disturbing. It is unheard of for any leader of a country to vote against his country.

A glimpse of how Buhari has betrayed Nigeria in the past and what he is capable of doing can be found in the book by Ibrahim Daggash, former head of information and communication at the defunct Organisation of Aftican Unity (OAU). On page 69 of the book, ‘The OAU: Reality or Fiction’, Daggash writes: “I remember in 1985 in Africa Hall that he was for confirmation of Dr Peter Onu of Nigeria, who was acting Secretary-General but Nigeria’s Head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was adamant in his support of Niger’s candidate, Idi Omaro, a Fulani Muslim.

In a meeting, a handful of Presidents led by (Tanzania’s first President Julius) Nyerere met with Gen Buhari and Nwalimu (as Nyerere was popularly called) begged him: ‘Please give us Peter!’

Buhari refused and forgot even to be courteous to his old peers. What was astonishing, when the vote was in favour of Niger’s candidate, the Nigerian Head rejoiced to such a degree that he was unable to control his emotions. That was a moment I witnessed and was convinced that General Buhari would not last long as a leader.”

It is unheard of in, indeed a taboo that a leader of a country would vote against his country’s candidate in international diplomacy. But here, it is in a book written by a participant observer, a witness to history, that Buhari as head of state would rather have a fellow Fulani Muslim candidate from Niger instead of Nigeria’s own esteemed Dr. Peter Onu. Not even the highly revered Nyerere could make Buhari to change his mind.

This kind of bizarre shamelessness is why Nigeria is the laughing stock of the civilized world. It is unthinkable that any leader, anywhere would insult his own country by backing an opponent from another country. And in 2015, 30 years after that shameful act, Buhari is asking Nigerians to vote for him to become president of Nigeria. Imagine an American president voting against the candidate of America in an international vote.

When the office of President of the World Bank became vacant two years ago. The whole world rooted for Nigeria’s Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala and wanted a woman as World Bank president for the first time. But US President Barrack Obama won’t have any of that. He knew Americans would skin him alive if during his tenure as president, America lost such an influential position. He pulled all the strings necessary to ensure that a U.S. citizen got the position. There are many other examples.

Truth is that it is a taboo in diplomacy for a leader of a country or for anybody to vote against his country. But Buhari did and rejoiced so shamelessly when Nigeria lost to candidate of another country.

Such a man can sell Nigeria. A leopard never changes its spot. Even after office, Buhari has continued in his clannish ways. Now he goes about declaring that he would put an end to Boko Haram insurgency if voted into power.

Muazu Madaki is a freelance writer who writes from Abuja.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

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