Since the return of democracy in 1999, three generals have principally been the architects of the secured path to Aso Rock.

In their war room, they have essentially determined who gets to the highest office of the land, when they leave and who succeeds them.

But in 2019, they are in the battle for their lives as this time, they face an unusual foe– a fellow general familiar with the demands of battle.

Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, all former heads of state, have either chosen or blessed whoever eventually emerges Nigeria’s president. One can add a fourth general, TY Danjuma. He may well be described as their pitbull. Since the counter-coup of 1966, Danjuma has been said to be involved in every single coup afterwards, and has, together with the other former heads of state, played a role in succession in the democratic era.

Before Obasanjo joined this exclusive group, he was first a beneficiary of the scheming of the other two generals. After they ensured his release in 1998, they anointed him first president of the Fourth Republic. He would go on to serve for 8 years.

Then followed Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan, all hand-picked. But in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari, a perennial contestant, had all his stars aligned at last. Though not the generals’ natural choice, he nevertheless enjoyed their blessing as he was the enemy of their enemy– Jonathan– and was already almost guaranteed victory without them.

As the generals may have feared, Buhari is not pliable. And now they want him out. But this time is different. Their Plan A already failed. They could not get him to not seek reelection. With only days to the election now, he marches on still, self-assured as always. So what next for the ‘Owners of Nigeria Plc’?

The Good- Abdulsalami Abubakar

It appears the generals have always opted for a carrot and stick approach. While Obasanjo, Babangida and Danjuma have wielded the stick, Abubakar has dangled the carrot.

He has mastered the art of diplomatic-speak. He openly maintains friendly relations with the president in power while also preserving his place in the generals’ exclusive club.

He has even somewhat formalised his diplomatic role through the national peace committee which he chairs. Through this committee, he ensures the presidential gladiators accept the outcome of the election, whichever way it goes.

In 2015, his committee ensured that former president Goodluck Jonathan conceded after his loss, a move that eased tension in the polity and allowed for peaceful transition of power.

Abubakar, whether by strategic design or coincidence, appears to confer on the generals some kind of patriotic supervisory authority. A respectable status. But does his non-partisan public role which is quite at variance with that of his counterparts isolate him from their clear partisan interests, strategy and overall agenda?
Full details: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/the-good-the-bad-and-obasanjo-what-next-for-the-owners-of-nigeria-plc/