Another accusation against General Buhari is that he is a tribalist and religious fanatic who would forcibly
impose Sharia law on Nigerian states. Peddlers of
this accusation contend that Nigerian Christians and
moderate Muslims would reject Buhari’s candidacy.
Surely, General Buhari is serious about his religion
just like many Nigerian Muslims and Christians. But
seriousness about religion does not equate
fanaticism. Like other accusations, this one is not
merely untrue, misleading, and unfair, but also
absurd.
Before the 2004 presidential elections in the
United States, some African immigrants hoped
that Democrats would win. We partly based our
hope on the fact that Iraq and Afghanistan wars were
not going well. Despite the “Mission Accomplished”
declaration by President Bush, both al-Qaida and
Taliban were still strong, and military and civilian
casualties were increasing. Additionally, weapons of
mass destruction were not found, and Osama bin
Laden and Mullah Omar (Taliban head) were still at
large. And America was spending billions of dollars
without knowing when we could achieve real victory.
Indeed, our hope increased when Democrats
nominated a decorated Navy veteran, John Kerry, as
presidential candidate. Kerry was a respected
senator who served honorably in Vietnam War and
received a Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Bronze Star
medals for his gallantry. So with Kerry’s credentials,
we were almost certain of victory. Yes almost
certain, . . . until the Swift Boat Veterans.
You see, after Senator Kerry touted his Vietnam War
records, some Republican veterans formed the Swift
Boat Veterans for Truth and began attacking him.
This tax-exempt and unregulated organization under
Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code was
permitted to indirectly support or oppose political
candidates. Its members charged that Kerry was unfit
to be president because he allegedly lied about his
military service and misrepresented the nature and
effectiveness of his swift boat operations during the
war. Additionally, they challenged the medals he
received and alleged that he was dishonest about his
records. But fact-checks showed that most of these
Swift Boaters were not present when the relevant
events occurred during Kerry’s service. In fact, U.S.
Navy officials, and even some Republicans, agreed
the Swift Boaters’ accusations were untrue. Hence,
the term “swiftboating” now describes untrue and
unfair political attacks.
Now years after Kerry, it appears that swiftboating is
occurring in the run-up to Nigeria’s 2015 presidential
elections. Among the major candidates are
incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his
challenger, Muhammadu Buhari, a retired army
general who was military head of state from
December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985. Even before
Buhari’s party nominated him as its presidential flag-
bearer, President Jonathan’s supporters seemingly
concluded he would be the man to beat.
Consequently, a series of political attacks have been
targeted against the General. However, an
assessment of the major allegations shows that the
General is simply being swiftboated.
One major accusation is that General Buhari is a
dictator because he toppled Shehu Shagari’s civilian
government in 1983. But what peddlers of this
accusation fail to inform Nigerians (especially the
young generation) is that back then, Africa was
different, and military coups were not uncommon. In
fact, military men controlled many African countries.
Consequently, the Organization of African Unity (now
African Union) had no moral authority to condemn
coups. Thus, tagging Buhari a “bad person” for that
coup would be unfair. Moreover, the Shagari
administration sacked by the coup was widely
believed to be corrupt. Widespread violence and
rigging, including ballot-box snatching and stuffing
were reported in the 1983 elections. In fact, the
Nigerian democracy had seemingly gone awry and
needed a rescue mission. There were even reports
of jubilation in parts of the country when the coup
was announced on December 31, 1983.
Another accusation against General Buhari is that he
is a tribalist and religious fanatic who would forcibly
impose Sharia law on Nigerian states. Peddlers of
this accusation contend that Nigerian Christians and
moderate Muslims would reject Buhari’s candidacy.
Surely, General Buhari is serious about his religion
just like many Nigerian Muslims and Christians. But
seriousness about religion does not equate
fanaticism. Like other accusations, this one is not
merely untrue, misleading, and unfair, but also
absurd.
Firstly, as a former military head of state, Buhari had
nearly absolute powers to promulgate any laws he
chose. But there is no evidence that he ever
discriminated against Christians or considered
adopting Sharia nationwide. In fact, he reportedly
hires Christians and Moslems indiscriminately. And
he chose a pastor as running mate in 2011 elections.
Secondly, the Sharia law accusation is absurd,
because it is virtually impossible for Buhari to
introduce Sharia as a civilian president. Nigerian
democracy involves the Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial arms. Only the Legislature makes law.
Nationwide adoption of Sharia requires
constitutional amendment or legislative action. Any
attempt to adopt Sharia by either of these measures
would be frustrated by Christians.
As for Buhari’s alleged hatred for non-Northerners,
there is no verifiable supporting evidence. Surely,
most Nigerians view him as a strict and no-nonsense
disciplinarian. Apparently he is equally strict to
Northerners and Southerners. Moreover, casting
further doubt on his alleged hatred for Southerners,
are reports that good number of his inner circle are
Southerners.
Perhaps the most serious accusation against General
Buhari is that he sponsors the terrorist group, Boko
Haram. This charge is very damaging because this
group continues to kill and maim Nigerians almost
daily. But despite efforts by Buhari’s accusers to link
him to the group, no one has provided verifiable
supporting evidence. In fact, Buhari himself was a
victim of alleged Boko Haram in July 2014. And when
an Australian who claimed he negotiated with Boko
Haram revealed names of its alleged sponsors,
Buhari was not named. Notably, Buhari has publicly
condemned Boko Haram, calling them “mindless
bigots” and urging Nigerians to unite and crush
them.
Indeed, the Boko Haram accusation defies common
sense and logic. Why would Buhari sponsor attacks
that would undoubtedly doom his chances of winning
the presidency? Why would he sponsor attacks that
would undoubtedly prevent his supporters from
turning out to vote for him on elections day? These
attacks occur in Northern states, which are Buhari’s
support base. Most of his votes in the 2011 elections
came from there. Continued violence in these states
will surely make it unsafe for people to go and vote
on elections day. And without these votes, Buhari
will unlikely win. So, Boko Haram’s activities do more
harm than good to Buhari.
The final major charge against Buhari is that at 71, he
is too old. While the General is indeed 71 years old
(he will be 72 on December 17, 2014), it is untrue and
unfair to argue he is too old to be president. His
lifestyle, demeanor and schedule do not suggest he is
too old to handle the stress of being president.
Notably, he would not be the only leader to become
president at that age range. Shimon Peres became
Israel’s ninth President at 84; Giorgio Napolitalo
became Italy’s President at 81, and Arthur Foulkes
became The Bahamas’ Governor General at 82. And
in the United States, Ronald Reagan was few days
from reaching 70 when he became president. So as
they say, age is but a number.
Some say Nigerian politics is a “do or die” affair. But
the 2015 elections should be a turning point, which if
handled carelessly, may plunge Nigeria into more
violence and economic troubles. Thus, it may serve
the country better if everyone shows more sense of
reason and avoid politics of mud slinging, and untrue
and unfair attacks. Engaging in swiftboating attacks
may be laying foundations for post-elections
violence. If politicians continue business as usual,
Nigerians may have to continue the same responses
they usually give to bad situations: “it’s well” and
“God will protect us.”

saharareporters.com/2014/12/23/swiftboating-general-buhari-jude-menes

Fvck sahara reports!!! GEJ till 2019!!!