President Buhari is one
of only two people who have ruled Nigeria both as a military dictator and as an
elected president. In a country of about 100 million citizens, this is not an
insignificant accomplishment. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs President Buhari
should be at the top, Self-Actualization level. He should not have any more
needs. If he were a patriot he should quit right here and right now.
But he is not.
If he were a patriot he
should read the warning signs.
1. His
most ardent supporters are showing signs of weariness. They still offer some
defense and protection for him but they seem tepid. Mr. Lai Mohamed can lie on
his behalf for only so much as his integrity begins to deteriorate. Even
Professor Aluko is now willing to accept that some of PMB’s actions/lack of
actions are mistakes. Mr. Danjuma, one of his richer and early backers has
openly called for NC citizens to buy arms to protect themselves as the
government is unable to do so.
2. The
massive demonstrations by Christians in Abuja a few days ago show how deep the
disgust of Christians with his administration is. Christians constitute about
50% of Nigerians. When a leader loses the support of most his nation,
patriotism demands that he, the leader, steps aside.
3. The
Shiites (about 10-20%) of the Muslims lost faith in him after the massive
slaughter of the members by the Nigerian Army just because they were in a quiet
religious procession. Item2 above when commingled with this item 3 show that
PMB has divided the country along religious quake/fault lines.
4. Among
Northern elite, his base, many harbor doubts about his capacity to continue.
They have stated openly that they would be looking for alternative leadership
from the North. They Have not passed a vote of full confidence in his
leadership given many opportunities they have had to do so.
5. Nigeria
is a multi-cultural, multi religious society that requires her leaders to be
operating at the top of their games. A person close to his 80’s and in bad
health does not meet this standard. The most recent trip to London, for health
check-up, dramatizes this weakness. Some of us thought that he has made full
recovery but PMB’s doctor took a look at him when he stopped over in London (on
his way to USA) and ordered that consultation was needed.
6. PMB’s
performance thus far has been very unremarkable. His greatest accomplishment is
the murder of Christians, Shiites, and Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. And other human rights
abuses. His glorifying of human rights-abuser and looter-extraordinary, former
President Abacha, who he served, shows who his heroes are.
7. ETC.
The two things that seem
to motivate Mr. Buhari’s desire to continue are the facts that he has not
groomed successors. And his fear that his party is fractured.
But there is one solution
for both weaknesses. His early exit would allow his party’s system to work its
way out. The system would throw out a candidate and the candidate would have
enough time to unite APC members behind him/her. If PMB takes this step now he
would be helping his country and his party. If he waits till September to
withdraw the ensuing infighting would handicap APC and throw the election to
PDP. If he fails to withdraw he would have also handed the country to PDP on a
platter.
President Buhari will not
step down which is why I think he is not a patriot.
Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba
Boston, Massachusetts
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