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Must Read: Is Buhari Nigeria’s Charles de Gaulle?
If General Muhammadu Buhari is voted into power, come February 2015, the army general-now-turned democrat, will follow the footsteps of Charles De Gaulle of France, who was the man of the moment in the crucial hour of that nation.
De Gaulle was a statesman, dominant military and political leader of France for much of the period from 1940 to 1969. Like Buhari, he was a man of integrity, who refused to accept armistice with German invaders in 1940, and thereby set up his base in London, proclaimed himself the incanation of France, and created the Free French Movement. During the war, he rallied the overseas colonies (especially Africa), organized the resistance from abroad, and struggled to gain full recognition from the British and Americans. He was a firm proponent of democracy, who later became the leader of the Provisional Government of France following its liberation in 1944.
De Gaulle like Buhari, was a retired military officer; a Brigadier General, who retired in 1946, but returned in 1958 as France verged on civil war over the Algerian crisis. He was voted in as President in 1958 to 1969; the New fifth Republic of France. De Gaulle was a political stabilizer; who stabilized the turbulent political system of France, and restored the nation’s economy. He made France to dominate the European Common Market by vetoeing British entry and keeping the U.S at arms length.
It is on record that Buhari overthrew a democratically elected government of Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari on the 31st of December, 1983. The military intervention was welcomed by majority of Nigerians, who were already disgusted by the corrupt and ineptitude regime that had just rigged its second term election. The Buhari/ Idiagbon regime brought changes that remain a reference point till date. “War Against Indiscipline” led to orderliness in every sector of Nigeria. For the short period the regime lasted, war against corruption and criminality were successfully fought.
Buhari’s Decree Number 4 of 1984 and the retroactive decree that led to the summary execution of Mr. Ojuolape and others, for alleged drug trafficking were dents on the new democrat record, but show me any of our past and present head of state and governments that does not have a but or short comings , then I will show you a virgin in a maternity ward. Every saint has a past. Paul the apostle, in the Bible, described himself as head of the sinners, who was not qualified to proclaim the gospel of Christ. Paul eventually wrote more than half of the New Testament books.
De Gaulle was accused for being critical to criticism, he eventually resigned his leadership position, but his reputation as the greatest of French leaders since Napoleon remains unbeatable till date.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan must have done his best, but his has not been good enough to salvage the nation from its multitude problems; such as shortage of power, unemployment, insecurity, economy downturn, poor health facilities.
The various elections so far conducted under Jonathan have been under the jack-boot of the security agents. While other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa have made a lot of improvement, Nigerian elections have been characterized by executive intimidation. President Jonathan has continued to defend the anomalies in our electoral processes. He has equally justified the use of soldiers and other security agents as a necessary evil. But by now, our leaders ought to live beyond anti-democratic practices. Democracy is about freedom of choice as guaranteed by the Constitution. Nigerians must be allowed to determine those who govern them through the ballot.
The August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun, where about 100, 000 security agents and sniffing dogs were deployed to “capture” Osun and the insistence of the Presidency to rob the people of their choice, despite their resistance, is a dangerous signal to what Jonathan can do in the February 2015 general elections. The opposition must be at alert as we approach the campaigns and the election. It was Nicole Machavali, who described power as sword, and that once it is worn, everything should be done to keep it. The PDP will not surrender power easily to any opposition, but with vigilant and internal cooperation among those who want a change, PDP is beatable.
De Gaulle oversaw the development of French atomic weapons and promoted foreign policy independent of ‘ Anglo Saxim’ . The Buhari administration, if voted in, should be able to take us beyond clueless foreign policy, to a new era, where our voice as a nation would not only he heard, but we must be seen as a leading African nation that other countries in the continent will be willing and happy to follow through pragmatic and dynamic foreign policy.
“Our friends at the Republican covention were more than happy to talk about everything they think is wrong with America, but they didn’t have much to say about how they would make it right. They want your vote, but they don’t want you to know their plan.” This President Barack Obama’s statement is applicable to the Nigerian leaders since 1999 that have been running the nation adrift.
The ruling party has been talking about how they would fixed our economy, oil price had been sold for $106 for 15 years, yet the number of jobless youths keeps being on the ascendancy, health sector is worse hit, as health workers and doctors have closed down the hospitals till today; poor funding of tertiary institutions, poor road network across the nation. The Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment tragedy is an open secret. Till date, nobody has been held responsible for it. Neither did Mr. President fulfill the promise made to relatives, who lost their loved ones over jobs that were never avaliable.
The Chibok girls adoption tragedy, the late response to the incident and the politics introduced to the calamity, will forever haunt this present Federal Government, whose constitutional responsibility it is, as encapsulates in Section 14 sub-section 4 of 1999 Constitution; to ensure security and welfare of the citizens. Till date, the Boko Haram insurgency has become octopus, that has killed thousands of people and is still killing and maiming.
On the accusation of religious bigotry against Buhari, we must not allow religion to destroy our nation, Buhari himself has admitted that he is not a muslim fanatic, what we should do is to accept what Sir. Ahmadu Bello told the Christians mission that “Differences in religions need not bar people from working together for the good of all.” Alhaji Bello further told the great Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe that we cannot forget our differences as suggested by the latter, rather he stated: “ No, let us understand our differences. I am a Muslim and a notherner.
You are a Christian, an Easterner. By understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country.” Buhari’s first daughter got married to a Christian easterner, an evidence that debunked the insinuation of religious bigotry.
Yomi Obaditan writes from Osogbo, Osun State.
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Must Read: Is Buhari Nigeria’s Charles de Gaulle?
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