Google+

The Men Behind Muhammadu Buhari’s Electoral Masterclass

0

The significance of General Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the last election is the underlining fact that this will be the first in the history of Nigeria’s presidential electoral process when an incumbent president is defeated.

Ok that’s old news.

Here we aim to identify some of the prominent political figures, both in the background and in the limelight, which shaped the Buhari’s electoral masterclass.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

Bola TinubuThe former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is considered a master political strategist who guided Buhari’s aspiration to a success at the party’s national convention last year. Tinubu was able to ensure that not only did Buhari get the block vote of the Southwest, but also ensured that many states outside the region that did not have governors in the contest supported Buhari. After the nomination convention, Tinubu together with likeminded party members was able to weave a formidable campaign machine that put Buhari to victory. Reflective of Tinubu’s imprint in the victory was the fact that Buhari in his last three runs never made an impression in the Southwest; a region he now swept with victories in five of the six states. Despite the lures and lashes from the opposition, Tinubu stood firm in an unwavering support for Buhari that proved crucial in achieving victory.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi

Gov Rotimi AmaechiGovernor Amaechi ably steered the Buhari campaign in such a way that brought the old candidate into reckoning in ways he never had been before. The governor’s input was there in the transformation of the general in his dressing and approach to campaign. The governor was in direct control of strategy and deployment of personnel at the campaign headquarters. He was also believed to be involved in the indirect talks with some major political players who helped to ensure the victory of the general at both the nomination convention and the general election.

Senator Bukola Saraki

Bukola SarakiSenator Bukola Saraki who served as governor of Kwara State before going to the Senate was also instrumental to the victory. His deployment of political and other resources not only helped in the general’s sweep of Kwara State, but also in forming bonds with other major political players in the country.

 

 

President Obasanjo

Obasanjo3Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is perceived another influential personality to Buhari’s ascendancy to Aso Rock. President Obasanjo’s behind the door counsel and patronage of Team Buhari was an open secret. He demonstrated so even in the days before the election was postponed last February when he went on an international circuit to launch his recently released book, My Watch. He also met with market leaders in his Abeokuta office where he gave them counsel on how to vote. However, the most strategic role President Obasanjo may have played is believed to have been in bringing international focus on Nigeria in such a way that put the defeated president in a cul de sac on allowing his subordinates to manipulate the results.

Atiku Abubakar

Atiku AbubakarFormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar may not have been seen regularly on the podium pushing for Buhari, but he was a main backer in terms of resources. Once he lost the ticket to Buhari, Atiku pushed his structure including his savvy media team headed by Mallam Garba Shehu to Buhari’s use. The team proved to be a torn in the flesh of Candidate Goodluck Jonathan.

 

APC GOVERNORS

All the APC governors without exception backed the general. Though two of them, Al Makura in Nasarawa and Adams Oshiomhole in Edo were not able to deliver their states to Buhari, but the efforts they made was undeniable. Oshiomhole was especially a thorn in the flesh of Camp Jonathan in the last few days. Rotimi Amaechi: Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is one of the Buhari die-hards. He endeared himself to the president-elect by serving as Buhari’s battering ram against PDP and Jonathan in the Niger Delta and in his role as director general of the Buhari presidential campaign. Even though he didn’t deliver his state to the APC during the presidential and governorship polls because of the famed federal might, Amaechi stills draws sympathy and tremendous respect from Buhari.

He is also believed to have utilized his enormous financial goodwill during the APC presidential primaries as well as during the presidential campaign for Buhari.

Theophillus Danjuma: Former Defence Minister retired General Theophillus Yakubu Danjuma is one of the individuals Buhari respects a lot.

A philanthropist and statesman, Danjuma is said to be passionate about Buhari’s anti-corruption antecedents and moral uprightness.

Though he is not in active politics, Danjuma is said to be among the few senior retired Generals that believed in Buhari’s ability in leading this country since he joined the presidential race in 2003. He is believed to have used his vast financial muscle to contribute to Buhari’s campaigns.

Ahmed Joda: Ahmed Joda, one of the surviving figures of Kaduna Mafia, was one of the super permanent secretaries during General Yakubu Gowon regime. An elder statesman, he headed a Committee on Assessment of Federal Government Parastatals and also a panel on poverty alleviation in 1999.

He is a close friend of Obasanjo and a former chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission. Joda is believed to share same ideals with the president-elect when it comes to civil service, policies and governance. He is also a no-nonsense person like Buhari.

Halliru Dantoro: Emir of Borgu Alhaji Halliru Dantoro is a close friend of the president-elect.
A former senator, the emir was one of the first traditional rulers that visited Buhari after his victory.
Emir Dantoro led his council members on a congratulatory visit to Buhari some days after INEC declared him as winner of the presidential vote.

Buhari commended the forgiving spirit of the Borgu emir, who was among many politicians detained under his military rule. Buhari said Dantoro never held it against him that he was detained but instead went ahead to establish a strong relationship with him.

The emir, who turbaned Tinubu with the cherished title of Jagaban Borgu, enjoys tremendous respect from Buhari.

There are also other political blocks that are bent in asserting their relevance in the Buhari’s government.

The El-Rufai group: The former Minister of the FCT and Kaduna State governor –elect Malam Nasiru el-Rufai leads a group of technocrat-turned-politicians that may play a key role in Buhari’s administration.

PLEASE NOTE THIS: Buhari admitted during the campaigns that he was dragged into the presidential bout for the fourth time by el-Rufai.

El-Rufai’s group of technocrats are said to be looking beyond the current dispensation.
The former minister’s intelligence, and knowledge of the post 1999 administration could play in his favour.

The Buhari loyalists: Another group that is largely believed to play a critical role in the Buhari presidency is his middle cadre loyalists.

They are mostly professionals in various fields and they played vital roles during the PTF days.
Most of the members of this group have been with him right from the PTF days and they never wavered in their loyalty since his entry into politics in 2002.

Some of them are very visible around him now. They believed that their time has come having participated in all the presidential campaigns before his eventual victory.

The Tinubu ‘boys’: These are the Tinubu political sons from the Southwest that comprises mostly of professionals and technocrats who are ex-governors, serving governors, lawmakers or even commissioners.

They include the likes of former Ekiti governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi; Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos, among others.

They played key roles in the campaign and therefore eyeing some “technocratic” appointments.

 

Share.

About Author

akinblues@hotmail.com'

African Ripples Magazine (ARM) promotes honest discussion on black-oriented information by delivering news and articles about both established and upcoming black professionals in business, sports, entertainment, international development and other vital areas.

Leave A Reply