Soyinka’s Alleged Swipe at Buhari

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/soyinka-s-alleged-swipe-at-buhari/196811/

Prof. Wole Soyinka’s recently advertised opinion on Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer, is that Nigerians are best advised to stick with the incumbent President and re-elect him next year. Several interpretations have been given to that intervention, including the claim that it is driven by geo-ethnic sentiments. I disagree. Soyinka has never been afraid of his own voice. He is also not one to either gleefully endorse a person or platform he has reason to suspect of resting on wobbly foundations, or support the dismantling of a structure by persons who have not demonstrated convincing building skills. Let us contextualise Soyinka’s comments against the background of REALPOLITIK and the call for general up-scaling of serious leadership contestestation.

We begin by saying that the nation actually needs a strong, focused and viable opposition to the ruling party are right. This is right to the extent that such opposition will strengthen our democracy by compelling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to do some ‘hard work’ on issues of governance, especially along ideological lines and general service delivery. What is however open to argument today is the assumption that the APC represents that desirable opposition. At best, the party is an alliance between some genuine and fake followers of the great Awo, a motley collection of aggrieved former members of the PDP and a northernly-focused political movement. Its capacity for genuine ideological opposition is hamstrung by its diverse loyalties and the dominance of the former Actions Congress’ (AC’s) political culture that is under the asphyxiating imprimatur of Bola Tinubu.

The late Awo embodied opposition politics in Nigeria in a way none of the numerous pretenders to the business of political opposition can approximate – even remotely. Many of Awo’s real and alleged acolytes are in the APC. Unlike Awo, however, these suspected political descendants have only distinguished themselves in the art of political grumbling and gossip. This is what they call as opposition politics. They think that by saying ‘waka’ to government over real and imagined mistakes, misjudgements and outright blunders, the APC is actually into opposition politics. Utter bunkum! To suppose that a motley crowd of mostly aggrieved former members of the PDP, who have lost out and others of questionable coloration, all of whom do everything to undermine internal party democracy wherever they are, should be called ‘opposition’ simply because they condemn the ruling party?

They have all conveniently forgotten that the soul of opposition politics, of which Awo gave a good account of himself, is that the opposition actually runs a shadow government. The opposition brings out alternative policies to those in place and fuels public debate and national development, through informed discourse. But not this opposition! It is yet to move beyond the sporadic and spasmodic criticism of the ruling party. Meanwhile, it must go beyond all that and invest in meaningful, constructive opposition politics that will make the people see what it has to offer. Dr. Kayode Fayemi was thrown out for being too civilised and for moving away from the more barbaric traditions of Nigerian politics. Wherever Tinubu is in charge he has put his relations and personal staff in all the right positions. And these are Awo’s, and possibly Mallam Aminu Kano’s, descendants? I don’t think so.

But let us note, for the record, that the profile of the APC as a viable opposition party is not for want of strong, patriotic and well-meaning persons within the leadership, and rank and file, of the party, no! Beginning with Gen. Buhari, even the worst of his detractors must admit that he is a very honest and straightforward man. He means well for Nigeria and will personally not be party to whatever he believes, or knows, will not serve the common good – or the long term interests of the nation. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is well known by his close associates as a generous, dependable and good group leader. His mistake was to come out for a position that a good readings of the auguries should have told him he would never get. And who would not want to associate with the Segun Onis, Fashola’s and Fayemis of this world, for their hands-on political capacities.

But let’s get real! It is true that our patriotic General Buhari is honest as a person. But it is also true that we need more than personal honesty for anyone to be a good leader anywhere in the world. Late Julius Nyerere of Tanzania was a painfully honest man. Like Buhari, he led a transparent government and did not rob the state, or fraudulently accumulate personal wealth. Also like Buhari, after he left office, Nyerere ended up in one tiny dilapidated house as further proof of his honesty as a public servant. The other truth is that Nyerere’s personal honesty does not remove the fact that he failed to take advantage of what civilisation offered by way of improved governance practices and economic leadership. Yes, he left office an honest man, but he also left a nation severely underdeveloped because he applied a template that would be ideal for a small community of the close-kindred type to a nations-state and ended up with rather depressing results. As I write, Tanzania is yet to recover from Julius Nyerere’s personal goodness and honesty.

It can be argued, in defence of Buhari, that he is not only personally honest and reliable, but has had some time to look into the dynamics of our polity and politics and mature further since he stepped out of office. The ancillary questions we must then ask, in interrogating this defence, are (1) how did he perform in office and (2) what lessons have he learnt since? For a man who has been repeatedly accused of having a reputation for easily abdicating responsibility in matters of diligent attention to general administration, there is something here for his handlers to worry about.

For instance, it is argued that he is the only former Head of State whose administration got a dual attribution of authority, simply because his deputy was more visible and active, while he was a mere figurehead. The thesis here is that while Nigerians speak of a Murtala/Obasanjo regime because the former died in office and the latter continued and concluded his regime programmes, they speak of Buhari/Idiagbon regime because the latter was actually seen as ‘the government’ while the former was termed the nominal leader of that government.

There is also the question of whether the retired general also learnt the appropriate and necessary lessons and is applying these in his current actions. With his presumed popularity in the north and Kwakwanso’s age, exposure, performance and reputation, one would have expected that a clear-eyed Buhari would throw his weight behind the younger and more contemporary Kwakwanso, as an elder statesman. Those who trust him would respect his judgment.

His party would make a national address, and take put the many old men who are running all over the place in the name of wanting to lead Nigeria to shame. He would have even joined well-meaning party members in persuading Atiku and others to back Kwakwanso. His decision to contest, as well as the final choice of the party, show clearly that he and the APC are out of their depths completely.

The reported assigning of the task of appointing a vice-president to Bola Tinubu by Buhari shows the good man in him. It also points to his respect for agreements, as well as a tendency to give people who fulfil in one limited sphere more than their due, in terms of overall integrity. Is this how he intends to govern Nigeria? I imagine that Buhari would confidently accept whatever is thrown at him by Tinubu as VP, forgetting that not many people are as puritanical as he is. He does not consider that Tinubu was only servicing a perceived strategic interest and not doing him, Buhari, a personal favour when he supported him to win the presidential ticket. He does not consider that he can be given a VP that will be the government, occasionally humouring him with salutary engagements and pronouncements now and again These are the real issues around a Buhari presidency, that is assuming such a project has a leg to stand on.

We cannot condemn Buhari as ‘bad’ because of his tendency to trust and think that everyone is like him. That would be both wrong and unfair. But to expect and demand that we should all gladly entrust our lives to a man who may, in his goodness, be less than circumspect in matters of state, is to push optimism beyond the domain of rationality. My respect for the person of Buhari is not diminished by whatever defects of character anyone may attribute to him. We all have our shortcomings. What will not happen is that people will, out of respect for his person, endorse him for official responsibilities that some of his good personal qualities may not serve very well. Buhari and the APC seem to have a position on core national issues., but…http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/soyinka-s-alleged-swipe-at-buhari/196811/

Say NO to HAWKISH general... Say YES to poeple's president... GEJ till 2019, no shaking!!!

Who else is capable of delivering the infrastructure renaissances that Nigeria is currenting experiencing. In railway, jona dey, in vital road network, ogas jona dey, in developing the waterways transportation GEJ dey.

New airport nko, jona has do, jona will do and jona has done. GEJ does not carry last o. Even the Noble Oga Soyinka has endorsed him.

Nigerians shine ur eyes o... GEJ till 2019

Who will stick with president of bokoharam that can't control his wife.
who will stick with a clueless president that don't have balls to prosecute currupt officials.
He will so lose on earth they will hear in heven

Safari29:
Who will stick with president of bokoharam that can't control his wife.
who will stick with a clueless president that don't have balls to prosecute currupt officials.
He will so lose on earth they will hear in heven

. If you can't stick with him simply migrate.

WELL SAID PROF

GEJ TILL 2019

WE CAN'T GO BACK!!!

Prof Prof how many times I call u... No vex me.

Deep down inside u. If the incumbent has been successful, you wouldn't b spewing this lies

So soyinka trully endorsed jonathan?hmmm,but my apcheat mofos here were debunking it with every strength the ave

How I wish my APC guys here would follow the trend in Nigeria politics that no matter how they polish Buhari before the public, he remains unelectable as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Professor Wole Soyinka has said it all.........

Prof Wole, be be careful fa. or I shld believe u mean the other way round. Clueless man that cant control his wife, a man that sees stealing as ethical, a leader that..... clueless commander in chief

Good reasoning and objective writeup devoid of bias.

Haba prof, do u mean we shld stick wt this man or...? Pls reply prof. Thank u.

I agree with Kongi! Buhari has passed on the touch

This is the best NIGERIANS can come up with?
It must be 'fUSSSS-tRRREHtin' trying to choose between a LIVING CORPSE(GEJ) and a DEAD CORPSE(GMB)!


*clutching my AMERICAN passport ever-so-TIGHTLY. . . .and PRAISING my H-Agnostic GAWWWWWWWWWD*

Tufiaaaaaaaaaaaakwa!!!!!

Tot we all had a vote. Na u wan tel us who we go vote? Vote ur own mke I vote my own na.
Another 4years of no subsidy...we r saving money bla bla bt still d economy is broke. Wen obj no save tru subsidy or debt relief sef economy no broke. I-diots don use al money buy bullet proof bmw, private trips of 10billion, to declare asset e dey tlk story.
So Tinubu na dem problem now? Any sane person in Nigeria knows u need cash to contest any post, mayb d prof can tel us sm rich pple who have integrity in politics (mayb bode george)

Gej till 2019!



#nuffsaid

Lol see the hypocrites, they are always cursing Wole Soyinka and calling him names when he points at the wrongs in the government but now suddenly they respect his views I thought PDP agents here say He is paid by APC and his political views are useless

Wole Soyinka b like vote GEJ for continuation of real Change.


GEJ till 2019

GEJ cannot be stopped... GEJ till Buhari enter Niger Republic.

in conclusion ,,gej till 2019.....gej till buhari get degree

The write up says it all.Cant agree more.

GEJ nd buahri Is like a hard place and rock
The best "option" is GEJ
GMB might not find it easy to shape into democracy. Even obj that pass his military exam was globe throttling thinking itz military life until atiku nearly democratically form a coup against him
I wonder how he would stop corruption in nowadays life this ain't the days of guns.... With this system of governance used in nigeria
U can't just jail some pple itz impossible if u still want 1 Nigeria...

His antecedents isn't good enough

Wole Soyinka is not my prophet.. However, a prof brain could go malfunctioning beacuse of too much stuffs they av upstairs. Buhari all the way 2015!

God knows me and my family won't vote that clueless nigga again.

i absolutely agree with the Prof on this one. Sentiment aside, GEJ is the best President so far. I want to see more work done before risking it with the corrupt North again.

Soyinka have given his opinion and made his decision about who he thinks is better, make yours at the polling booth don't let anybody's opinion supersede yours so for those rejoicing and those hurt by his comment I hope you guys know Soyinka have only one vote to cast on the election day. Why killing yourselves over his decision.

if you see front page topic, you will know.
Thank you Prof for the words of wisdom.
I hope your brothers from the west, will be able to see 2015 beyond jagbagan economic and political interests. GEJ is our best choice. the devil we know is more welcome than the St buhari

Despite being from the northern part of Nigeria, my vote will still go for jonathan. #GEJ# till buhari stop applying for loan

lionduke:
a plot of land for sale.

dont derail the discussion.

Ucheosefoh:
Soyinka have given his opinion and made his decision about who he thinks is better, make yours at the polling booth don't let anybody's opinion supersede yours so for those rejoicing and those hurt by his comment I hope you guys know Soyinka have only one vote to cast on the election day. Why killing yourselves over his decision.

Soyika opinion is wat brought GEJ to power in 2011, the mans words carry power.

Every discerning mind already know that buhari is not the change we desire, anyway, thank u prof for buttressing this point, u are among few reasonable yoruba alife

SEE many hypocrites here, if this man just said otherwise, his head would have been puffed up with insults, it is now they recognize what he said as great talk. Useless and sentimental derailed people.

Sai Buhari.
I dont gv a fvck abt Soyinka's thoughts.