Gradually, things changed for General Muhammadu Buhari for good. He is no more the ordinary Nigerian of yesterday. He is now the president-elect.
But that is no more news. The news now is that everything about the man has suddenly turned presidential: food, house, clothings, vehicles, name it. Have you seen him of late? Buhari has got swag. In fact, the usual Buhari’s two or three cars convoy has grown serpentine with fortified security presence.
But then, the man has lost his privacy. Ditto for his running-mate. The vice-president-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has transformed from the ordinary preacher to wearing the executive stuff.
When Buhari threw his hat into the political ring in 2003, seeking the presidency, he was seen as the biggest joker of the century. Of course, the people rejected him. In 2007, he gave it another shot but was humiliated by his kinsman, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he reappeared for the presidential contest, the same fate of the previous times befell him. By this time, he was already being dubbed a serial loser. But as 2015 approached, signs of his coronation became clear. And on March 28, destiny crowned him the president-elect even at 72. Now, the serial loser has become the lucky winner. Once again, the general has been catapulted into a life of affluence and influence.
Nostalgically, the only time Buhari’s life assumed this dimension was during his military days when he was Head of State. But that was 30 years ago. Even at that, there is a difference between being a President and Head of State. It is not just because one is elected by the people but the fact that one would not be afraid of colleagues planning a coup and removing one. The military steals political power irrespective of the public odium it attracts but a President receives the mandate of the people.
Buhari suffered such military fate on August 27, 1985 when his colleagues ent him packing from office. Since then, he had led a private life. But the man is back at the corridors of power. This time, through the front door. And, gradually, attention is fast shifting from the incumbent president to him.
First official bilateral engagement as president-elect Watching Buhari receive the President of Ivory Coast, Allassane Quattara, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja in the evening of Monday, April 20, upon his return from his home country, Daura, Katsina State, put in me the feeling of presidential reality. As a former Head of State, Buhari may be entitled to use the facility but definitely not with an air of presidential aura he exuded that day. Quattara may have also met with President Goodluck Jonathan earlier that Monday, but not with the observable euphoria on his face, jolting him to some immediate memorial expeditions where he recalled his own election. Like Buhari, Quattara’s presidency was also tough, an eventual art of providence and destiny. Said the Ivory Coast leader: “I have come to Nigeria to congratulate my brother the president-elect for his brilliant election and to let him know that the process of this election is a great pride to all of us and the rest of African countries. “The peaceful process is a lesson for all African countries. You will recall that in my own country in 2010 when we had the presidential election, the former president did not want to leave office and this led to civil war with 3000 people died. So, we are very proud of the Nigerian people. “I came to congratulate my brother President Buhari and tell him that my country and Nigeria will work hand in hand for stronger integration of the West African region. Nigeria is very important to all of us for its leadership and I think I met President Buhari few years back. We will continue to work together to make sure that the west African region and the people the region can seek more prosperity and better lives.” While the Ivorian leader shared his ugly experience in the hands of his predecessor, Buhari recalled Jonathan’s benign stance which has saved Nigeria of a conceivable overt crisis. “I think more specifically (Quattara’s visit is ) to congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship because when president Quattara referred to his own experience where he was under siege for more than four months because his predecessor refused to acknowledge his winning. In Nigeria opposite happened, hence we are enjoying the peace, so specifically congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship”, the president-elect said.
But then, the man has lost his privacy. Ditto for his running-mate. The vice-president-elect, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has transformed from the ordinary preacher to wearing the executive stuff.
When Buhari threw his hat into the political ring in 2003, seeking the presidency, he was seen as the biggest joker of the century. Of course, the people rejected him. In 2007, he gave it another shot but was humiliated by his kinsman, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. In 2011, he reappeared for the presidential contest, the same fate of the previous times befell him. By this time, he was already being dubbed a serial loser. But as 2015 approached, signs of his coronation became clear. And on March 28, destiny crowned him the president-elect even at 72. Now, the serial loser has become the lucky winner. Once again, the general has been catapulted into a life of affluence and influence.
Nostalgically, the only time Buhari’s life assumed this dimension was during his military days when he was Head of State. But that was 30 years ago. Even at that, there is a difference between being a President and Head of State. It is not just because one is elected by the people but the fact that one would not be afraid of colleagues planning a coup and removing one. The military steals political power irrespective of the public odium it attracts but a President receives the mandate of the people.
Buhari suffered such military fate on August 27, 1985 when his colleagues ent him packing from office. Since then, he had led a private life. But the man is back at the corridors of power. This time, through the front door. And, gradually, attention is fast shifting from the incumbent president to him.
First official bilateral engagement as president-elect Watching Buhari receive the President of Ivory Coast, Allassane Quattara, at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja in the evening of Monday, April 20, upon his return from his home country, Daura, Katsina State, put in me the feeling of presidential reality. As a former Head of State, Buhari may be entitled to use the facility but definitely not with an air of presidential aura he exuded that day. Quattara may have also met with President Goodluck Jonathan earlier that Monday, but not with the observable euphoria on his face, jolting him to some immediate memorial expeditions where he recalled his own election. Like Buhari, Quattara’s presidency was also tough, an eventual art of providence and destiny. Said the Ivory Coast leader: “I have come to Nigeria to congratulate my brother the president-elect for his brilliant election and to let him know that the process of this election is a great pride to all of us and the rest of African countries. “The peaceful process is a lesson for all African countries. You will recall that in my own country in 2010 when we had the presidential election, the former president did not want to leave office and this led to civil war with 3000 people died. So, we are very proud of the Nigerian people. “I came to congratulate my brother President Buhari and tell him that my country and Nigeria will work hand in hand for stronger integration of the West African region. Nigeria is very important to all of us for its leadership and I think I met President Buhari few years back. We will continue to work together to make sure that the west African region and the people the region can seek more prosperity and better lives.” While the Ivorian leader shared his ugly experience in the hands of his predecessor, Buhari recalled Jonathan’s benign stance which has saved Nigeria of a conceivable overt crisis. “I think more specifically (Quattara’s visit is ) to congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship because when president Quattara referred to his own experience where he was under siege for more than four months because his predecessor refused to acknowledge his winning. In Nigeria opposite happened, hence we are enjoying the peace, so specifically congratulate president Jonathan for his statesmanship”, the president-elect said.
