Nigeria's former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari,
71, is not a quitter
Defeated in the last three elections, he has
returned to contest the highest office.
Mr Buhari will face incumbent President Goodluck
Jonathan, who is from the southern Niger Delta
region, for a second time at the polls in February.
It looks set to be a close race as on this occasion
the Muslim northerner has been chosen as the
candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC)
party, formed last year after four opposition parties
merged.
The APC has also been attracting heavyweight
defectors from the People's Democratic Party
(PDP), which has dominated the political scene
since the end of military rule in 1999.
Mr Buhari has always been popular among the
poor of the north (known as the "talakawa" in the
north's Hausa language).
Now some feel his military background and his
disciplinarian credentials are just what the whole
country needs to get to grips with the Islamist
insurgency in the north.
A Muslim from Daura in Katsina State, who has
given his support to Sharia in the north, Mr Buhari
has previously had to deny allegations that he has
a radical Islamist agenda.
This proved a problem for him in the 2003 polls -
he failed to secure much support among
Christians in the south, where he was viewed with
some suspicion.
But having escaped an attack on his convoy in
Kaduna in July, which bore all the hallmarks of a
Boko Haram assassination attempt, he has
promised to end the insurgency within months if
elected.
He has blamed President Jonathan's weakness for
its escalation and has refused overtures to
participate in talks with the radical militant group.
His tough stance as a military commander in 1983
- when some Nigerian islands were annexed in
Lake Chad by Chadian soldiers - is still
remembered in the north-east, now the militants'
stronghold, after he blockaded the area and drove
off the invaders.
'War Against Indiscipline'
He ruled Nigeria from January 1984 until August
1985, taking charge after a military coup in
December 1983.
It is a period remembered for a strict campaign
against indiscipline and corruption, and for its
human rights abuses.
The verdict on Mr Buhari's 20 months as Nigeria's
leader is mixed.
About 500 politicians, officials and businessmen
were jailed as part of a campaign against waste
and corruption.
Some saw this as the heavy-handed repression of
military rule.
But others remember it as a praiseworthy attempt
to fight the endemic graft that prevented Nigeria's
development.
He retains a rare reputation for honesty among
Nigeria's politicians, both military and civilian,
largely because of this campaign.
As part of his "War Against Indiscipline", he
ordered Nigerians to form neat queues at bus
stops, under the sharp eyes of whip-wielding
soldiers.
Civil servants who were late for work were publicly
humiliated by being forced to do frog jumps.
He also introduced a notorious decree to restrict
press freedom, under which two journalists were
jailed.
However, his attempts to re-balance public
finances by curbing imports led to many job
losses and the closure of businesses.
As part of anti-corruption measures, he also
ordered that the currency be replaced - the colour
of the naira notes were changed - forcing all
holders of old notes to exchange them at banks
within a limited period.
Prices rose while living standards fell, leading to a
palace coup by Gen Ibrahim Babangida on 27
August 1985. Mr Buhari was imprisoned for 40
months.
Mr Babangida wanted to speed up the restoration
of civilian rule, which Mr Buhari did not see as a
priority.
'Up to the people'
Mr Buhari has continued to defend his military
coup of 31 December 1983.
"It is up to the people. If you choose correct
leadership, there won't be any need for the military
regime.
"The military came in when it was absolutely
necessary and the elected people had failed the
country," he said in October 2005.
When former President Olusegun Obasanjo was a
military ruler in the 1970s, Mr Buhari held the key
post of minister of petroleum affairs.
But the relationship between the former colleagues
cooled as Mr Buhari's coup ousted a civilian
government, led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who won
elections organised by Mr Obasanjo.
This led to continuing questions about Mr Buhari's
commitment to democracy.
Relations between the two former generals may
now thaw following what seems to be an
endorsement for Mr Buhari from Mr Obasanjo in
his recently released autobiography.
Mr Buhari "would not be a good economic
manager", wrote the politician who won two
presidential elections for the PDP after 1999 , but
"will be a strong, almost inflexible, and a
courageous and firm leader".

m.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12890807

Yawns

G= God

E= Elected

J= Jonathan.

GMB everywhere

All said and done, like Charles Novia said:

You Vote, I Vote, INEC decides.

All I pray is that the best man to steer Nigeria to where it belongs as a world power wins by God's or Allah's supreme intervention.

Its alright

Nice article.

The peoples general

Hmmmmm

The obasanjo line - cements it for buhari.


GMB will be an exemplary president.

Swearig in Ceremony - May 29, 2015


Nigeria will get better Leadership


Vote GMB/PyO 2015

Well, it will take Jesus christ to convince me about Buhari's capability. I don't just give a dime to what history u guys lift about this dude. I can't forget this man in a hurry for inciting most violence in d north especially the one that took d life of my friend in 2011. Now he's giving us this gentle man attitude. When all dis is said and done, people will reshuffle, reconciliations, betrayals and further reconciliations, change of party and etc. Eventually we will settle as we've always been. You tell me about change like I can now travel in a first class coach for #950 from here(Ph) to 042, that's change I can see!!!

SUBMARINE:
Yawns

G= God

E= Elected

J= Jonathan.

yap we knw God electED jonathan.. In 2011 but nt anymore..!!

SUBMARINE:
Yawns

G= God

E= Elected

J= Jonathan.

G=God

M=Mandated

B=Buhari

The verdict on Mr Buhari's 20 months as Nigeria's
leader is mixed
Civil servants who were late for work were publicly
humiliated by being forced to do frog jumps.
He also introduced a notorious decree to restrict
press freedom, under which two journalists were
jailed.
Prices rose while living standards fell, leading to a
palace coup by Gen Ibrahim Babangida on 27
August 1985. Mr Buhari was imprisoned for 40
months.

For humiliating the civil servants and imprisoning journalists he spent 40 months in prison against the 20 months in power. And some people call him a Democratic. What a shame!!!

who still believe that nollywood drama they term bokoharan attack mcheeew

they attack u in a bullet proof car,since then dey don't know ur house, ur mosque, how u roll Till date

VcStunner:
Well, it will take Jesus christ to convince me about Buhari's capability. I don't just give a dime to what history u guys lift about this dude. I can't forget this man in a hurry for inciting most violence in d north especially the one that took d life of my friend in 2011. Now he's giving us this gentle man attitude. When all dis is said and done, people will reshuffle, reconciliations, betrayals and further reconciliations, change of party and etc. Eventually we will settle as we've always been. You tell me about change like I can now travel in a first class coach for #950 from here(Ph) to 042, that's change I can see!!!

Exactly bro.
I don't know why people are this blind,Buhari is not and will never be the change that Nigeria need. Apart from the fact that he is too old,he is a FANATIC to the core!
I just read about "The Abuja Declaration 1989"and a statement he made in 2003 about Sharia and found out that this man has a plan under his sleeves.
I pray Nigerians realize this before it's too late.

Did anyone try clicking the link provided by the op? Op you lied about the source. Your story is a lie too.

This man was comfortable enough to serve as PTF chairman under Sani Abacha.

Yawn.!

u see, thats why i want jonathan to win. So when nigerians start complaining about insecurity, economic problems etc, i'l be the one to say i told you so, u got wat u voted for. So GEJ till 2019 *cheers*

missdebs:
u see, thats why i want jonathan to win. So when nigerians start complaining about insecurity, economic problems etc, i'l be the one to say i told you so, u got wat u voted for. So GEJ till 2019 *cheers*

So, you basically believe "I told you so" is what a country in abyss, and in need for a change and someone to inject something new needs, no? - hysterical.

Whoever that wants Buhari to become Nigeria's President in this our shaky 21st century democracy should see a Doctor please.
You are sick.

Chanchit:
I saw my own 2015 vision this morning, God told me he would run the life of all GEJ supporters the way GEJ is running Nigeria, abeg make una come say Amen o.

if u want people to say amen to this your prayer, I want you to say amen to this prayer:- NO MATTER HOW SINCERE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH EFFORT YOU PUT TO MAKE GOOD THINGS WORK. LET NO ONE EVEN YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS APPRECIATE YOU INSTEAD LET THEM RAIN CURSES ON YOU, NO ONE WILL EVER SAY GOOD OF YOU.AMEN

Buhari - Nigeria - Progress - everywhere you go!