₦airaland Forum

And while it is still going through painful problems this may still be the right
time for the US to engage Nigeria as a partner for the search for peace in
Africa, in the Muslim world and in the world at large.
'Without doubt, Nigeria's problems are many, and may be deep-seated; but
they are not insurmountable. With the right leadership, the support of the
people and the understanding of the international community, troublemakers
on both sides of the ethno-religious divide who profit from the planned chaos
can be easily taken care of; and the Nigerian state be led to realize its
destiny.
Only then would it rise to become that core state on the African continent, or
the Muslim world that Professor Samuel Huntington said it could be.
Thereafter it could be the model and the example to copy for all those
engaged in conflict resolution, success in which is a necessary condition to
attain peaceful coexistence and rapid development.
Today, Paden is synonymous with historical and sociological scholarship on
Nigeria and I know of many people in Nigeria's north who would swear by his
name. Many of them have said they only began to properly understand the
dynamics of their own society after reading his Religion and Political
Culture in Kano.
The same expertise has been brought to bear on this new book on the
civic cultures of the emirate states. And throughout its pages Paden is
optimistic about the future.
With the increasing acceptance of the principles and practice of democracy
by Nigerians Muslim communities-the empire building emirate states of the
north, the Kanuri of the northeast and the non-state Yoruba of the southwest
and the minorities of the Middle Belt the scope for creating institutions for
conflict resolution that are sensitive to Muslim sentiments will hopefully widen.
This will significantly add to the already existing wealth of experience
available in Nigeria; and to that same extent add value to Nigeria's usefulness
as a partner in international conflict resolution effort.
In conclusion, I have no better way to end my talk than by paraphrasing
Paden's own conclusion. We are really here to agree with his major theses
in the book, and say 'Thank you.'
As the experience of Nigeria shows, democratic federalism is an effective
means of avoiding state failure and of addressing the threats of terrorism
with great effectiveness. If the international community is really serious
about the success of conflict resolution worldwide, its highest priority is to
promote and support the emergence of workable democratic federalism in
Nigeria today.
If this is done, the implications of its success in Nigeria for other parts of
the Muslim world are going to be enormous and the effect very profound.
This is because, if civic cultures can reinforce approaches to conflict
mediation and resolution, then, in the end, it is such other priorities as
economic development and free exchange of ideas, rather than
violence and mindless destruction that will result. And that should be
the goal of all people of goodwill.


Clearly, therefore, it is the duty of the international community, notably the
US, to help strengthen all of the relevant organizations and tendencies
engaged in conflict resolution effort in Nigeria and elsewhere, because, as
Paden said, a globalizing world requires that we build bridges, not walls.



Thank you very much for your patience.


General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

50 pervasive is corruption in Nigeria today that it has been identified by all
people within and outside the country as the most important factor that has
kept Nigeria down and rendered it unable to a role model for other nations
within its regions. But image is not just an external problem.
Internally, the recent reintroduction of 5hari'ah has been identified as one of
the factors that have robbed Nigerian society of its cohesion. But as
Professor Paden observed, the reintroduction came at a time it did partly due
to a breakdown in the law and order situation, against the backdrop of a failed
political leadership.
This, of course, is to underscore, and not to excuse, the fact that many of
those who promoted the idea of the Shari'ah did have political motives for
doing so. As events unfolded it become evident also that there were not
qualified to undertake the task.
And, consequently, largely because of the superficiality of their own
understanding of its provisions and their gross ignorance of its spirit} they
almost succeeded in giving Shari'ah a bad name.
In the end, it was only the painstaking conflict resolution efforts undertaken
by the cadres in our political party structures, and the intervention of the
elders of our communities that helped resolve the tension created; but
unfortunately, not without unnecessary loss or lives.
I believe now that both the Muslim community and the Christian community in
Nigeria-with much regret on both sides-are much wiser and perhaps better for
it; because[ hopefully[ the Shari'ah issue can never be exploited again - or be
unnecessarily opposed by anyone.
The point-and I think it has been made at such a costly price-is to reaffirm
the recognition of the rights of the Muslim community to the Shari'ah and at
the same time, guarantee that non-Muslims should never have to be
adversely affected by it or by its implementation.
But while it lasted the Shari'ah crisis, spawned the most extensive, and
hopefully most sincere interfaith dialogue ever seen in the country. It was a
difficult moment for Nigeria; and like all difficult times, it produced the best in
some Nigerians.

ebate or take a position contrary to that of the Executive branch.
It's a pity but it is true that this nature of control only becomes possible
through the use of blackmail to which the state administrators have made
themselves open. Through the corruptive exercise of this type of control, the
Nigerian government, against all of the objection of the majority of the people
of the country, is trying to push through an illegal constitutional amendment to
give itself a third term in office.
The Nigerian constitution, like the constitution of the United States stipulates
a maximum of two terms for the President of the Republic. President
Olusegun Obasanjo is finishing his second term in 2007, but he wants
another.
For the past two years it was this struggle to make such a third term possible
that has occupied all the time of the president. This was the hidden agenda
that the whole nation cried out and kicked against when the National, Political
Reform Conference was set up.
At that time, the existence of an agenda for this unconstitutional third term in
office for the president was vehemently denied, Today, it has all come out;
and it is on its way to being realized,
Needless to add, this must be seen as a prelude to the life presidency,
nowadays all too common in Africa. Even though Professor Paden has
expressed some of these concerns it is worth repeating that the US
administration should not close its eyes to the excesses committed by
undemocratic, indeed antidemocratic, governments just in order to secure or
retain their support in the war on terrorism-or for any reason for that
matter. Neither is it Tanzania, Kenya or Nigeria.
But democracy is not the only thing in trouble in Nigeria today. Since 1999,
when the government first came into office, life had generally become
difficult; and as inflation and unemployment took their toll, standards of
living has become lower than at any time in recent memory.
Meanwhile, on the international corruption index, Nigeria is rated the sixth
most corrupt country in the world. This, of course, is in spite of all that the
government said it has done to fight corruption.

endangering the equality between individuals in society, It is also the duty of
the state in Islam to protect the individual in the enjoyment of his many
rights, but without causing" the larger society any harm.
In all this, we find no grounds for incompatibility between democracy and
Islam. Indeed, properly understood democracy is a partner, not a threat, to
Islam. And if practiced according to the rules, it enables Muslim communities
to create better societies, and allow the people to exercise greater control
over their lives.
Problem only arises when democracy aligns itself to secularism, because it
then becomes difficult for it to be acceptable to most Muslims or, indeed, to
almost all religious people. But personally, I do not regard such an alignment
between democracy and secularism necessary or inevitable or even in the
long term interest of democracy.
Therefore instead of wasting time debating about this incompatibility, Muslim
communities should seize the opportunity presented by the current wave of
democratization to fully democratize their societies and use their new-found
power to check the abuse and excesses of their leaders.
Talking of democracy sadly reminds me of the grim reality of its practice in
Nigeria's Fourth Republic. Let me say at the outset that it is difficult for those
not normally resident in Nigeria and not conversant with what goes on behind
the scene to truly appreciate the full grimness of the situation in the country
today. Most informed watchers of the current Nigerian scene, and in this case
even including Paden, have been able to scratch only the tip. The rest of the
iceberg lies invisible below.
The reality is that democracy has been raped in Nigeria and is being
destroyed. It is being systematically sacrificed in its name by the very class
that is supposed to be its protector.
Since the election of 2003, the government has bared its fangs and made
mince meat of all of the remaining vestiges of democracy. It has, for instance,
made nonsense the concept of the separation of powers. Through corruption
which it claims to be fighting; and through the use of blackmail, to which it
never admits, it has eroded the powers and compromised the independence
of the legislature. Today the national legislative house finds it difficult to debate or take a position contrary to

statehood or national identity; or it is carried out on behalf of the people by
an elected consultative assembly, the fact is that both Islam and democracy
demand that there should be consultation and consensus-building.
The highest and most inclusive and periodic instance of this consultation in
Islam is the holding of election, in which, as it were/ everyone qualified is
given the chance to be consulted, Whether in democracy or in Islam, election
is the bedrock for the democratic process and for it to reflect the popular will,
it must be free, fair, definitive and inclusive.
Indeed, even the principle of opposition is provided for in the corpus of Islam.
The founder of Islam was reported to have declared that the highest instance
of the protection of public good is the word of truth spoken in the presence of
a tyrant.
Besides the disapproval of tyranny, this declaration points not only to the
legitimacy of opposition but to its necessity. This same principle is at work in
the demand by Islam for accountability for all those who hold public office.
The actions of the leadership must be open to public scrutiny and censure.
And it has been said that the freedoms enjoyed in the free world were there in
Islam long before democracy discovered them. There is the freedom of
expression, freedom of association, freedom of religion, and the freedom of
conscience. In Islam too these freedoms have, before the onset of
arbitrariness and tyranny, always been enjoyed.
The freedom of expression in Islam, which is, among other things restricted
only by the laws of blasphemy, is the same as the freedom of expression in a
democracy that is restricted by the laws of libel. In fact in some democracies
such as Britain, this freedom is restricted by both the law of libel as well as by
the law of blasphemy.
Contrary to popular perception, the freedom of religion in Islam’s absolute.
The Qur'an unequivocally commanded that there is no compulsion in religion;
one becomes Muslim only out of one's free will. But once Muslim, he is bound
by the provision of Islam in a way not unlike the manner in which a democrat
is bound by the provisions, the demands and laws of democratic culture.
The goal of Islam has always been to promote individual liberty but without endangering the equality

and immediately identifiable US interests, non-Arab Muslim areas have, as
a result, been severely neglected.
To compound the situation, US government need for an ally in the war
on terrorism had partially blinded it to all other policy options besides
its single minded focus on the war.
Perhaps within the context of 9-11, that may be understandable in the
short term, but over the long term, this is a policy that may need to be
reassessed. US policymakers need to understand that, even under normal
circumstances is a war that is very problematic, with potentials to get even
more so as it is prosecuted, whether in the end it is won or lost.
Yet, even if, theoretically, the US succeeds in wiping out all pockets of
terrorist insurgencies and neutralizes those counties it calls rogue states
at the price of losing the entirety of the Muslim world, it 't/ill have gained
nothing or its endeavors.
That is why I believe the time has come for the U.S. government to
refocus and open up meaningful dialogue on conflict resolution. This, I
think, is the message Paden is trying to send to policy makers in his
Muslim Civic Cultures and Conflict resolution: The Challenge of
Democratic Federalism in Nigeria.
In that penetrating study, Paden identified a neglected Muslim community-the
emirate states of Nigeria-that now needs to be reengaged. He gave due
recognition to the quality and range of the emirate conflict resolution
mechanisms, efforts and successes in defusing periodic tensions, and
effectively checking the violence that has not infrequently erupted in the
country.
No doubt, Nigeria is now an area of great and strategic importance to the US
and is widely seen as crucial to the success of much of conflict resolution
efforts in the Muslim World. The secret for this success lies in the emirate
states' well known desire for peaceful coexistence, their capacity for tolerance
and their varied experiences in past efforts in resolving crises.
Central to this success in conflict resolution is their adherence to Islamic
principles in organizing society and in the pursuit for peace, and in the
development of the appropriate civic culture based on their enduring faith in democratic federalism.
While over the years other influences have prevailed to deny Nigeria a stable
democratic civilian culture for the emirate states this is nothing to do with the
famous, but unproved, claim that Islam and democracy are not compatible. It
would indeed appear that for the emirate states, much or the talk about the
incompatibility of Islam and democracy does not exist.
And even for those making the claim, the view is probably based more on the
fear or misunderstanding of the essential nature of democracy and Islam than
on facts.
As a system of governance, democracy provides for constitutionalism and
consultation. In other words, it calls for respect for the popular will, separation
of powers and the application of effective checks and balances on the
exercise of that power. All this is supposed to be done within the context of
the rule of law and assured equality of all people before the law which is
guaranteed and applied by a judiciary that is independent.
Indeed the fact that the first written constitution in the world-long before the
Magna Carta and more than 1000 years before the Constitution of the United
States of America-was the Sahifah al Madinah, written by the founder of
Islam in the 7th century, to regulate relations between the new Muslim
community, Quraish tribe and Jews of Arabia.
This would therefore suggest that the latter-day despotism that has come to
characterize almost the entire Muslim world today is not something that is
inherent in Islam. It merely represents a very long period of the abuse of
power by Muslim rulers that has today crystallized and become such as an
unfortunate reality.
Even a cursory look will reveal that there is much that is common between
Islam and democracy.
In Islam, governance is supposed to be conducted by shura, the principle of
consultation; and it must always be done according to the dictates of ijma’,
a process of consensus-building unique to Islam.
Whether this consultation takes the form of a referendum or an election for
the choice of the leadership or in deciding the broad foundations of

Speech by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Former Head of
State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Presidential Candidate of the All
Nigeria's People's Party, at The Project on U.S. Policy towards the
Middle East's Reception and Book Launch of Professor John N. Paden's
Muslim Civic Cultures and Conflict Resolution: The
Challenge of Democratic Federalism in Nigeria
Nigeria: Democracy and Conflict Resolution
By
Major General Muhammadu Buhari
Falk Auditorium, The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution 1775 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW, \Washington, D.C. 20036-2103, U.S.A.
Wednesday December 7, 2005

Members of the Board of Trustees of The Brookings Institution
Professor Stephen P. Cohen
Ambassador Indyk Professor
Shibley Telhami,
the co-conveners of the project
Dr. Peter W. Singer, Project Director
Professor John N. Paden, author of the book being launched
Officials of Government of the Untied States of America
Ladies and Gentlemen
I would like to thank the conveners of this project most sincerely for their
very kind invitation to me to participate in this very important discussion on
Nigeria's experience in building democratic institutions.
For me it is such a great honor and a privilege to stand before this
distinguished gathering at the Brookings Institution, this earliest and most
famous of the think tanks in the United States of America.
I would also like to pay tribute to the originators of The Project on U.s.
Policy –Towards the Islamic World. Designed to "examine how the
Unites States can reconcile its efforts to eliminate terrorism and reduce the
appeal of extremist movements with its need to build more positive
relationships with Muslim states and communities.
To be sure, the catastrophic events of September 11 had changed many
things in the way the United Sates government had viewed many things;
including, unfortunately, changes in emphasis on which areas of the world
to constructively engage. Several important areas have unwittingly
become victims of this policy.
With severe cutbacks in diplomatic representation and quality, with stiff
visa restrictions, which Paden had himself flayed elsewhere; and with the
shift in US Government focus restricted to a potentially less important area
of the Middle East and with the administration's seeming indifference to
matters of great moment that lacked headline-grabbing potentials for clear and immediately identifiable US interests, non-Arab Muslim areas have, as
a result, been severely neglected.
To compound the situation,

dein77:
This isn't the very first time General Buhari is contesting the presidential elections. If my memory serves me right, he did the same in 2003, 2007, and 2011. And on all these three occasions, no was no brouhaha surrounding Buhari and his certificates.

Why now?

Besides, why is INEC complacent and quiet a over this matter?

Change has come!!!!!!

Flets:
Don't ever get it twisted, PDP has done more research on the certificate issue more than you can think. They must have checked the certificates issued from the school Buhari quoted, they have also checked with INEC to see what was submitted in the past. PDP has access to army records too and they know what exactly what Buhari has there.

There will never be any surprise. The only surprise will be a fake certificate which willl be immediately exposed. Besides, screening of candidates is planned for Jan 16 to 18. That is Buhari's deadline.

tit:
Op,
you made two grievious mistakes.
1) You went to US War College. That is wrong place. Buhari attend US Civil War College!
2) You ask of Msc. that is also wrong. what is msc? We are talking of master. Ask them of Masters degree which is MA! not Msc.

please try again.
harder.

cramjones:
Your video neither states nor denies Buhari attended the college. General Buhari indeed attended this college. I spoke to Ms McCunnister on the phone and she confirmed that the People's general has records in the college, and added in her words "a respected alumni".

Seun Obinoscopy and all those involved. Lock this thread. Don't let your site peddle lies, your company can be sued for defamation and allowing such lies emanate from here. Lock this thread and ban the OP!

-CramJones

Kponkwem:
I do not support GEJ, but I think Bihara's inability to present even a primary school certificate is an insult to millions of graduates in Nigeria, many of whom are without jobs.

Nigerians, who are going to vote, must resist the imposition of mediocrity on the country.

The Bihara I saw at the APC rally in PH is so incoherent, incomprehensible and ill-equipped to grasp the simple concepts of economic issue. This man will lose the election to GEJ just for lack of credible alternative by APC.

Kponkwem:
Clean your face with water, sleepy bone. North ke nut ni... A bigger disgrace awaits any of their consensus candidate worse than 2011. Those leeches can't rule us again on top of our oil. #GEJunopposedtill2019. If Nigeria remains after that, SE or MB!

barcanista:
I don't know why they keep spewing lies. Why will someone even call a support group to get such information? Does Alumni's keep academic records? These PDP guys are so pathetic. I suspect the OP to be Sincere9gerian

barcanista:
While we wait, let us Iron tthings out.

The National security Seminar is a One-week event. Is it logical for someone to spend approximately one-year for a one-week event?

The Military Education Level 1 Programs which BUHARI did lasts for 10months for residency and 2 years for distant learning. Buhari did residency and was there between 1979-1980. On completion of this program,
"Students may earn a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies in both the resident and distance programs, accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Resident program graduates are granted Joint Professional Military Education-Level II (JMPE-II) credit".

Buhari graduated. Isn't it logical for you to accept the fact that he cannot spend approximately one year, graduated and still said to earn a seminar paper? Bros, you de fall hand o

barcanista:
Imagine a seminar that runs for 10 months... Jeez

barcanista:
That OP is a Liar! The only Seminar offered by USWC is National Security Seminar and it is a one-week event

Dhugal:
He GRADUATED from the class and didn't get any degree or certificate?.Sancta Dei Genetrix,are you high on latrine fumes or something?.How does one graduate from a degree awarding programme with no degree or cert.,even if of the lowest order?.In what alternate universe does that happen,pray tell?

Bitterleafsoup:
pkay if that is what they have show it, we will take it. But we will know he lied about his whole education, his credibility as an honest man is finished here today? Please email them too, just takes a few seconds.

barcanista:
You aren't talking to an illiterate.
My friend keep quiet, you are a fraud. Only the Registrars Office can give you such information and not some Alumni group. You Go school at all?

Dhugal:
A seminar that lasted a year,1979-1980.Bros,liers don't make heaven.
If you can't record your "calls",exchange e-mail with the lady n post shots of it here like sweetjoystick did in his thread.Otherwise,you're one big fat lier.
I noticed this your moniker was registered yesterday just to promote this certificate non-issue

onyengbu:
[s]The bolded is the part I dont get from the Buharists on this certificate higihaga. How is that an evidence??!!
Somebody can lie his way to a PhD certificate and that alone voids the PhD.
[/s]
Why is it so hard to just show a simple certificate?

Obinoscopy:
Are you calling the Alumni Office of the US War College a support group?

The Foundation funding has directly supported student and faculty events: such as National Security Seminar Week, honorariums for distinguished guest lecturers, writing awards for students and faculty, texts for the College's professional library, projects of the International Fellows Program, and financial assistance for high-level conferences and exercises. Since 2002, the Army War College Foundation has funded jointly, with Dickinson College, the General of the Army Omar N. Bradley Chair of Strategic Leadership. Since 2009 the Foundation has funded the Francis W. de Serio Chair for Strategic Intelligence.

Individual, foundation and corporate constituents are steadfast in their contribution to our national defense through stewardship of academic excellence and traditions at the United States Army War College.

The Alumni Association of the U.S. Army War College (now known as the Office of Alumni Affairs) was formed on May 19, 1967 as an organization that would enable graduates to stay connected and promote the interests of the Army War College. The organization has grown from an association with a few founding members to one with over 10,000 current members today. The organization serves as the U. S. Army War College Gift Shop (The Sutler Store); it holds the alumni database and it supports a wide range of programs for current class members and graduates and their families. Alumni Affairs sponsors and holds the copyright on the official history of the U.S. Army War College.

The Army War College Foundation, Inc. and the Alumni Association of the U.S. Army War College merged on August 1, 2008. The organization remains committed to the best possible[b] support to the College and its graduates and friends.[/b]

http://www.usawc.org/

Bitterleafsoup:
So you beleve here it is the right number

spankyflex:
this must the joke of the century

Bitterleafsoup:
Call!

Obinoscopy:
I just went through the site she provided and i saw this:

"The Army War College Foundation offices and the Office of Alumni Affairs are located in Root Hall on the first floor in the B wing."

So they are located in the same place. A call put through that number should get to the Alumni Office. Or what do you think?

I also need nairalanders to put a call through to the number (717.243.1756) so that we can verify OP claims. If she's lying, this thread will be closed but if truth, it would grace the homepage.

Bitterleafsoup:
Every Nigerian youth must get involved with the shaping of this country, or don't you care? DId you call the War College to verify and demand they release a press statement? Or is it you just want to show us your shape not shape Nigeria?

Bitterleafsoup:
You people can lieooo. Just like your master.

Sunshineluv:
Nothing will ever make me vote Buhari again. The man is a Liar

aguiyi:
The above number is incorrect , op kilode ?, this is the phone of the college foundation and not that of the college