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Thursday, March 28, 2024

#SoundOff: Buhari’s Failed Tribal Bigotry Of 1984 Will Not Work In 2016

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by Emy Onunwor

Good afternoon students.

I’m your History teacher.

Today, I am taking us on the topic, POLITICAL DEJAVU.

In 1984, General Muhammadu Buhari and his boys overthrew the democratically elected government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari with the sole reason that the government was “highly corrupt”.

Buhari then locked up Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the man who was Vice President to Shagari in Kirikiri Prison in Lagos. He, however, left Shagari in his government mansion in the name of “house arrest”.

Ekwueme was tried by a special tribunal set-up by Buhari and the tribunal declared that he was even poorer as Vice President than when he was a private citizen. Even with that ruling, Buhari still keep Ekwueme locked up, all the while Shagari, the President was relaxing in his mansion.

The same Buhari, yes, the one that is now President today, jailed Dede Sam Mbakwe, former governor of Imo State for 100-years for stealing nothing. The same Buhari went after Mbakwe’s wife.

Ambrose Alli, who was governor of Bendel State when Buhari suspended the constitution and took power by force, was tried by Buhari’s special tribunal for owning AN UNDEVELOPED PLOT OF LAND. Alli was jailed for 75 years and endured heavy torture while in detention. He went blind because he was denied medical care on Buhari’s orders. He later died following complications to his health as a result of his incarceration.

Jim Nwobodo, governor of Anambra State and Lateef Jakande, governor of Lagos State were jailed for 100 years each for stealing nothing.

Adekunle Ajasin, governor of Ondo State was tried by a military tribunal and found innocent. Buhari was not having any of it. He ordered a fresh trial, Ajasin was found innocent again. Buhari changed the tribunal members, and tried him again. He was still found innocent. Buhari still jailed him regardless. #Tyrant!

But the same General Buhari left his personal friend, Awwal Ibrahim, the then highly corrupt governor of Niger State to roam free. Even after Ibrahim was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London with £14 million.

But, Buhari seemed to forget his personal friend – Awwal Ibrahim – the then highly corrupt governor of Niger State who was arrested at Heathrow airport with £14 million. Awwal was never jailed.

Ibrahim was placed under “house arrest” in his mansion just like Shagari. Ibrahim’s “house arrest” was lifted in two week.

Former National Security Advisor, Sambo Dasuki arrives the Federal High Court, Abuja with his lawyer, Ahmed Raji, September 1, 2015 (Photo Credit: PR Nigeria)
Former National Security Advisor, Sambo Dasuki arrives the Federal High Court, Abuja with his lawyer, Ahmed Raji, September 1, 2015 (Photo Credit: PR Nigeria)

My dear student, let on come forward to present day and Buhari is on another corruption fight. At the centre of it is #DasukiGate.

The man in the centre of the case, former National Security Advisor, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is given ‘presidential treatment’. He is brought to court without handcuffs. He is allegedly charged for $1.2 billion fraud, yet he is given a bail condition of N250 million.

Jafaru Isa, Buhari’s friend, arrived for questioning at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for 8 hours and released on self recognition.

People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh comes to court in handcuffs, he is thrown in and out of the back or a rickety pickup. He is treated as an assassin and given the strictest bail conditions, perhaps, in the history of Nigeria.

Class, this is political de’javu. I call on all supporters of President Buhari to inform him that tribal bigotry and vendetta is not fighting corruption. It wasn’t in 1984. It is still not in 2016

Thank you very much.

Emy Onunwor is a lawyer and political analyst. Connect with him on Facebook

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

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