Agboriotejoye:

There were no buharists in 2003-2007. The term buharists appear after the man left anpp to form his own party. It seems you don't know that anpp already existed before Buhari joined. And they already controlled States and Nass seats. So anpp does not owe its existence to Buhari. The 2007 elections saw a mass drift of northerners towards PDP because of Yaradua factor. That's what the North does. They drift towards the person they feel represents their interests. Shekarau kicked Kwankwaso out of office. He denied him a straight second term and Kwankwaso had to wait till the guy completed his two terms. It seems you're unaware shekarau is an Islamic scholar. He was the candidate of the clerics in Kano and still remains so till today cause he's one of them. Even Kwankwaso is aware of the guy's political value in Kano.
Of course they love Buhari because he came out and articulated the Northern interests in 2003 which was enactment of Sharia law and return of power to the North. He was dumped in 2007 by the same North because Yaradua emerged who seemed more aligned to the agenda, and a more realistic option to get power. By 2011, they were back to Buhari immediately they felt slighted by GEJ. Buhari's popularity blossomed in 2011 because of GEJ's victory.
Right now, the North want to retain power. NEF, ACF, Buhari's cabal even Kwankwaso have all come out to say it. Their most realistic option is PDP which is why Atiku is suddenly becoming a good guy in their eyes.
That's what I've been telling you about the North. It's always about interest to them and not personality as you assume

Oga,buhari won kano in 2007.he has had a core group of followers since then.malami,buba galadima etc started following him then.buharism was popularised around 2015 not that it came out then.shekarau barely won kano in 2003 and 2007.buhari won kano,it is clear.

Kwankwaso represents northern interest more than atiku.opinion about north retaining power is divided unlike 2015.if they wanted to hang on to power,they would have voted atiku in 2019.while they want power,they also want one nigeria and furthering that is allowing power shift.Tinubu will win the north.2))