By Egheomhanre
Emmanuel Eyieyien
There are two kinds
of Buharists: the Classic Buharists and the Neo-Buharists. The Classic
Buharists genuinely love Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. To them, he is the epitome of a
true leader. They truly believe he is all they say he is. They think he is not
corrupt and that he is even incorruptible.
Their devotion to the
man they like to call the "People's General" is total; bordering on
worship. No contrary argument can burst their bubble. In fact, you dare to
persuade them that Gen. Buhari is not the man they think him to be at your
peril. Violence, verbal and/or physical, comes natural to them when they think
you denigrate GMB.
The Neo-Buharists are
recent converts to Buharism who fed too long on the well-orchestrated narrative
that President Jonathan is "clueless" and is incapable of leading
Nigeria. They have been led to believe that our country's state is dire and
that things are in their worst possible condition.
They believe "$20billion
is missing"! To them, "nothing is working". It is futile
pointing out to them the achievements of the Jonathan administration. They see
none whatsoever. They want "change".
Ordinarily, the
Neo-Buharists would never even have considered Gen. Buhari as presidential
material. They know him too well. They are not impressed about Buhari's
antecedents. But they would rather not discuss it. Since they are
convinced that President Jonathan has not performed well enough they believe
they have no option but to settle for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
To reassure
themselves about the rationality of supporting Buhari, they are quick to point
out the difference between a military despot and a democratic president. They
are forgiving of Buhari's inglorious past. They hope he has changed. They are
not unaware of his many short-comings.
They know he is a
religious fundamentalist who is an avowed proponent of the implementation of
Sharia across Nigeria. They point out the impossibility of instituting Sharia
nationwide in a democracy and remind you that their man did not even do so when
he could as a military Head of State.
To them, it matters not that the brand of
Sharia Law he advocates is a contravention of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria which he would be sworn to uphold should he be President.
They equally ignore the fact that he once called on Muslim voters to vote only
for Muslims even as he is now tranversing the country soliciting the votes of
Nigerians of all religions.
Neo-Buharists are
mindful of Gen. Buhari's lack of administrative acumen and management capacity.
But they are ready to excuse his incompetence and make a virtue of his
notoriety to transfer responsibility to his immediate subordinate. So they
highlight the qualities of Prof. Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, his running mate. They
see the Professor of Law as a would-be Proxy-President and even push the idea
of an Outsourced Presidency as a great concept.
On the issue of
combating corruption, the Neo-Buharists do not like to be reminded that the
General's financiers and close political associates cannot explain how they
became so wealthy as public officials. They pretend that they have not noticed
the sudden change in the General's anti-corruption mantra. He will now only
prosecute (and "send to Kirikiri") those who remain corrupt after he
becomes President!
But Neo-Buharists
have lingering doubts; serious doubts. Their own idealism will not allow their
consciences rest. They have nagging questions about Gen. Buhari. Questions
about his past; questions about his future.
Does he have what it takes to lead
Nigeria at this stage of his life? Is he the change they seek? What is his
vision for Nigeria? Does he even have a vision? How will he accomplish all that
those who speak for him say he will do? Is he in poor health as is being
rumoured in some quarters?
And the
Neo-Buharists' doubts are fed the more as they hear him speak on the campaign
trail. They know he is uninspiring; but, with the new trendy garb he adorns,
they hoped for more. They do not expect soul-stirring speeches but, at the
least, not the usual dull and incoherent drivel. Haba!
As the doubts grow,
sadly, some Neo-Buharists would simply settle for apathy.
Those of them who
actually have the Permanent Voters Card may very well decide that they will not
violate their consciences....and stay home on 14th February, 2015: the Fail
Buhari Day.
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