Muhammadu Buhari, who will be sworn in on Friday as Nigeria’s
new president, is a one-time coup leader who once ruled Africa’s
most populous nation with an iron fist.
But he has undergone a remarkable transformation from military
general to as he calls it a “converted democrat” whom many see as
the solution to Nigeria’s many problems.
His election victory over President Goodluck Jonathan two
months ago was the first time power had changed hands to an
opposition party at the ballot box in Nigeria’s turbulent political
history.
Yet commentators say he will still need to delve into his army past
to tackle rampant corruption, Boko Haram security concerns and
economic troubles over the next four years.
“For him to succeed in tackling these knotty problems, he will
need to behave like a dictator in spite of the constitution, ignore
criticisms and keep abay sycophants,” said one former army officer
who took part in Nigeria’s first military coup in 1966.
“This is the time for him to bear his fangs against graft,” added
social commentator Tokede Williams. “A man called upon to be a
hawk must catch chickens.”
– Past versus present –
Buhari, 72, has already pledged the corrupt and corruption will
have no part in his administration and that he intends to lead by
example.
Unusually for a Nigerian leader, he did not accumulate much in
the way of spoils during his 20 months in charge of a military
regime from December 1983.
The devout Muslim, who has had to fend off claims from
opponents that he is a religious zealot, is known to have only one
simple bungalow in Daura, his home town in the northern state of
Katsina.
He also took out a bank loan to pay the 27.5-million-naira
($136,000, 123,000 euro) fee just to contest for the
presidential ticket for his All Progressives Congress (APC) party.
In office, his conduct will be closely watched for signs of excesses
from his previous time in power that notably saw a crackdown on
“indiscipline” and corruption.
Critics of the regime and political opponents were thrown in jail,
including the Afro-beat music legend Fela Kuti, who was known
for his outspoken lyrics.
Umaru Dikko, a former minister to the elected president Shehu
Shagari that he overthrew, was found drugged in a crate on a
plane at Stansted Airport, in an attempt to smuggle him back to
Nigeria.
Critics of Buhari, particularly outgoing President Goodluck
Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), even suggested:
“Once a tyrant, always a tyrant.”
“At his age, it is always difficult for somebody to change his
normal way of life overnight. A leopard doesn’t change his spots
suddenly,” said one lawyer close to the incoming administration.
“However it all depends on those guiding him in office. Buhari is
used to the military command structure and the tendency to be
autocratic will always be there.”
Softly spoken Buhari himself has rejected the description of
“dictator” and vowed to operate “under democratic rules”, without
conducting a witch-hunt against the previous administration.
“Let’s put the past behind us, especially the recent past. We must
forget our old battles and past grievances and forge ahead,” he
said in his acceptance speech on April 2.
This month, he announced he would no longer be referred to as
“General Buhari”.
– ‘Messianic zeal’-
Buhari’s previous time in power ended in a bloodless barracks
coup led by Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985.
He slipped out of public life but returned as head of a government
agency, the Petroleum Trust Fund, bankrolling development
projects with additional revenue from oil sales.
At the agency, he again showed an autocratic but effective style.
“He is not very communicative, he is reticent but quite
knowledgeable without flaunting it,” said Ayo Banjoko, a Lagos-
based political analyst.
“He is imbued with a messianic zeal. He has a rigid and
intransigent disposition and he believes this country must and
should be purged of its ills, especially corruption.”
Buhari’s military background and previous role as a northeastern
governor have seen him viewed as best-placed to tackle the Boko
Haram insurgency that has killed 15,000 since 2009.
Last July, he narrowly escaped death after a suicide bombing on
his car as it travelled through the northern city of Kaduna. Many
blamed the militants after he had previously criticised the group.
Buhari is divorced from his first wife Safinatu, with whom he had
five children, and married Aisha, 44, in 1989. They also have
five children together.

Thank God For the opportunity.................FTC!

Modified......

Dedicated to all Nigerians and May God lead our leaders right.

God replicated what happened at the eve of election of March 28 where it rained all day till election day, now, few hours to inauguration rain don start again.........it shows God is involved.

Like if God is a Nigerian if not Share!

Abeg make FP!

I comment my reserve till it hits front page.

Lalasticlala do the needful